Far View is an
Ancient Farming Community
The rain clouds forming
above one another
above one another
on the horizons
of the four directions
of the four directions
having pity for our lives
quench our fields' thirst
tomorrow our children shall live.
Within a short walking distance, you can see several excavated sites. This open pueblo is unlike the cliff dwellings most people associate with Mesa Verde.
The path to the Tower, Reservoir and
Megalithic House.
Nearly 50 villages have been identified within a half square mile area.
The attraction may have been the greater moisture received
at this higher elevation of about 7,700 feet.
Corn requires 78 frost-free days to mature.
The mesa top has an average of 85 frost-free days each year.
Far View House commands a stunning view of the countryside, including the canyons of Mesa Verde, Ute Mountain, the LaPlata Mountains, Shiprock, and other Four Corners features.
"The family, the dwelling house and the field are inseparable, because the woman is the heart of these, and they rest with her. Among us the family traces its kin from the mother, hence all its possessions are hers. The man builds the house but the woman is the owner, because she repairs and preserves it; the man cultivates the field, but he renders its harvest into the
woman's keeping."
Morefield Reservoir/Mummy Lake
In September 2004, the reservoir was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This water management system is one of the oldest engineered public works in the United States.
It is a circular depression 90' diameter and 12 ' deep, surrounded by a stone wall built in two phases, between A. D. 900-1100 and between A. D. 1100-1300. The catchment area is 25 acres.
Far View Tower
Nearly 60 round towers have been found
at Mesa Verde, and some are connected
to Kivas by tunnels.
What function might they have served?
Coyote Village
row of mealing bins for grinding corn
Tower and Kivas at Coyote Village
the Kivas would have had roofs
with a ladder in the center
the Kivas would have had roofs
with a ladder in the center
Coyote Village
* * * * *
There are not a lot of parking spaces at this location. RV's have to park in the dirt next to the road around the circular driveway. The first time I pulled into the site I left because there were several RV's already there, I came back about a 1/2 hour later and was able to pull in very close to the shrubs.
Very interesting; thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe really need to go back to Mesa Verde and see all the things we missed. We were only there for one day, so we just saw the highlights. I'm enjoying seeing things through your eyes and camera!
ReplyDeleteI just got back from Chaco Canyon...aren't the ruins amazing? and mysterious? Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteCool!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't made it to Mesa Verde or Chaco Canyon yet and I really want to see that area. Maybe this fall if all goes well.
ReplyDeleteTeri, you've got your hands full trying to explore everything in the area. Thanks for the great pictures.
ReplyDeleteI used to rove at Far View. I felt calmed while there. Not too many visitors. So glad to see the newer interpretive signs without the word Anasazi. I'm wondering how all the burns look.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting.... wasn't I close to there? Wonder why I didn't go check it out.? Guess I'll never know .... I never know what I will or will not do ... ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great work location! You still have all of MVNP to explore, then if you have more time and the weather gets warmer you can head to the San Juan Mountains. Keep those beautiful and interesting picture coming......
ReplyDeleteAnother great place of history.
ReplyDeletePictures are great thank you again for sharing.
Beautiful photos - I did an "after hours" photography event at the cliff dwellings a few years back...
ReplyDelete