Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado   By: United States. Dept. of the Interior

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Events OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE 1st century[1] The earliest occupation of Cliff Palace cave was B.C. or probably before, or immediately following, the A.D. beginning of the Christian era. These earliest occupants, known to scientists as Basket Makers, were the first agricultural Indians of the Southwest. 4th to 7th[1] By the beginning of the fourth century A.D., the centuries early agriculturists were developing the art of A.D. pottery making. Later, their semisubterranean homes were spread widely over the Mesa Verde. 7th to During the three or four centuries preceding 1000 10th[1] A.D., the Pueblo Culture on Mesa Verde was centuries developing from modest beginnings toward its A.D. classical stage, which culminated in the building of the great cliff dwelling. 1066 Earliest date established for large Mesa Verde cliff dwellings (Beam section from Mug House.) 1073 1273 Construction of Cliff Palace. 1276 Beginning of 24 year drought, an important factor in forcing the cliff dwellers from the Mesa Verde. 1776 Expedition of Padre Silvestre Velez de Escalante to southwestern Colorado. Party camped on the Mancos River near the base of the Mesa Verde. 1859 Ascent of the north escarpment of Mesa Verde by Capt. J. N. Macomb, of the United States Army, and members of his party of geologists. 1874 Discovery of the ruins in the Mancos Canyon by W. H. Jackson, United States Geological Survey. Party harrassed by Ute Indians. 1888 Discovery of Cliff Palace and other major ruins by Richard Wetherill and Charlie Mason... Continue reading book >>