[Transcript]
Until now, we've mostly been admiring Mesa Verde's geology, but maybe you're asking yourself where's the archaeology? I think it's important that we get some geological context so you can truly appreciate these ancient structures when you finally see them. I'll do my best to tell you what I know, but if only the stone walls of Mesa Verde could talk. But wait, maybe they can, and maybe all we need to do is ask.
The Stone Speaks
Hello? Well, what a surprise, an audience. These days, not many folks have the time or patience to listen to an old stone like me. But you're in for a treat, because as any geologist knows, rocks make the best historians.
I may be old and weathered, but lucky for you, time hasn't weathered my memory. Life for me started around a hundred million years ago. I was created by the Earth's slow, delicate process of sedimentation.
Over many years, layers of sand continued to build up. Then they were compressed together until sand became stone. That means I'm a sandstone.
Cliffhouse sandstone, to be exact. I spent most of the next 70 million years underground, silently waiting, and listening to the rhythms of the Earth. That's a lot of solitaire, right? Then Mother Earth decided it was my time to shine.
So she sent me out, and up. And when I broke through the surface, I saw the sun for the first time. I felt its heat and bathed in its brilliant light. And I found myself here, in Mesa Verde.
Life on the Surface
My life on the surface began as part of a large sandstone canyon. For millions of years, we have weathered the changes in the world.
We watched as the oceans came to say hello, and then waved goodbye again. We hardened ourselves as softer stones eroded from wind, rain, and the slow passage of time. We saw fire, and floods, death, and rebirth.
And through it all, we remained unmoved. But none of us, not even the great cliffs of sandstone, are immune to change.
The Transformation
And so, by sun and ice, heat and cold, our canyon wall expanded, contracted, and eventually, we began to crack and separate.
We watched as layers of rock peeled and fell away, crashing to the canyon floor. And one day, it was my turn. I broke free, and tumbled down, down, until finally, I came to rest as a solid block of stone.
Little did I know that this moment wasn't the end of my story, but was instead the beginning of another. For a long, long time, nothing happened, and that was fine. Most of my life had been waiting, sitting alone in the baking sun, with only the occasional wild animal to keep me company.
Time flew by, like the very sand that surrounded me. And then, when I least expected it, newcomers arrived in Mesa Verde. The humans.
Wow. I don't know about you, but I had no idea rocks were such good storytellers. We'll return to our story of stone a little later in the tour.
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Mesa Verde National Park Tour!
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For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Mesa Verde National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.