Difference between revisions of "Cliff-dwelling" - New World Encyclopedia
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
Some of the most famous of these are the [[North America]]n cliff-dwellings, particularly among the canyons of the southwest, in [[Arizona]], [[New Mexico]], [[Utah]], [[Colorado]] and [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]] in [[Mexico]], some of which are still used by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. There has been considerable discussion as to their antiquity, but modern research finds no definite justification for assigning them to a distinct primitive race, or farther back than the ancestors of the modern [[Pueblo people]]. The area in which they occur coincides with that in which other traces of the Pueblo tribes have been found. The niches which were used are often of considerable size, occurring in cliffs to a thousand feet in height, and approached by rock steps or log ladders. | Some of the most famous of these are the [[North America]]n cliff-dwellings, particularly among the canyons of the southwest, in [[Arizona]], [[New Mexico]], [[Utah]], [[Colorado]] and [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]] in [[Mexico]], some of which are still used by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. There has been considerable discussion as to their antiquity, but modern research finds no definite justification for assigning them to a distinct primitive race, or farther back than the ancestors of the modern [[Pueblo people]]. The area in which they occur coincides with that in which other traces of the Pueblo tribes have been found. The niches which were used are often of considerable size, occurring in cliffs to a thousand feet in height, and approached by rock steps or log ladders. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Moki Steps== | ||
| + | '''Moki steps''', sometimes spelled alternately as Moqui steps, are a recurring feature found in areas of the American southwest previously inhabited by the [[Ancient Pueblo Peoples]] and other related cultures. The steps consist of alternating hand and toe holds carved into vertical or near-vertical sandstone surfaces. The steps are usually two to three inches deep, and three to four inches in width and height. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Moki steps are often found near [[cliff-dwelling]]s and water sources. They may have allowed relatively quick access to difficult-to-reach areas such as [[slot canyon]]s, look-out positions, and granaries. In some cases, Moki steps are thought to have provided access to fertile canyon bottoms from more defensible dwellings on or above surrounding cliffs. The steps may have been used in conjunction with handmade ropes.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=x9fZrykn2-YC Canyoneering, by John Annerino]</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Similar sets of depressions may have been carved by non-indigenous settlers or explorers. In other cases, recent visitors may have deepened or widened a previously existing set of Moki steps.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=MOl5AAAAMAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s A Colorado River reader, by Richard F. Fleck]</ref> There is no published criteria for determining the origin of a given set of steps. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == References == | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 32: | Line 43: | ||
{{Native American Housing}} | {{Native American Housing}} | ||
| − | {{Credits|Cliff-dwelling|441811269|}} | + | {{Credits|Cliff-dwelling|441811269|Moki_steps|438773574}} |
Revision as of 20:01, 4 August 2011
,_Arizona.jpg)
Cliff dwelling is the general archaeological term for the habitations of prehistorical peoples, formed by using niches or caves in high cliffs, with more or less excavation or with additions in the way of masonry.
Two special sorts of cliff-dwelling are distinguished by archaeologists;
- the cliff-house, which is actually built on levels in the cliff, and
- the cavate, which is dug out, by using natural recesses or openings.
Some of the most famous of these are the North American cliff-dwellings, particularly among the canyons of the southwest, in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Chihuahua in Mexico, some of which are still used by Native Americans. There has been considerable discussion as to their antiquity, but modern research finds no definite justification for assigning them to a distinct primitive race, or farther back than the ancestors of the modern Pueblo people. The area in which they occur coincides with that in which other traces of the Pueblo tribes have been found. The niches which were used are often of considerable size, occurring in cliffs to a thousand feet in height, and approached by rock steps or log ladders.
Moki Steps
Moki steps, sometimes spelled alternately as Moqui steps, are a recurring feature found in areas of the American southwest previously inhabited by the Ancient Pueblo Peoples and other related cultures. The steps consist of alternating hand and toe holds carved into vertical or near-vertical sandstone surfaces. The steps are usually two to three inches deep, and three to four inches in width and height.
Moki steps are often found near cliff-dwellings and water sources. They may have allowed relatively quick access to difficult-to-reach areas such as slot canyons, look-out positions, and granaries. In some cases, Moki steps are thought to have provided access to fertile canyon bottoms from more defensible dwellings on or above surrounding cliffs. The steps may have been used in conjunction with handmade ropes.[1]
Similar sets of depressions may have been carved by non-indigenous settlers or explorers. In other cases, recent visitors may have deepened or widened a previously existing set of Moki steps.[2] There is no published criteria for determining the origin of a given set of steps.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
References
- Noble, David Grant. Ancient Ruins of the Southwest. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing, 1991. ISBN 978-0873585309
- Oppelt, Norman T. Guide to Prehistoric Ruins of the Southwest. Boulder, CO: Pruett Publishing, 1989. ISBN 978-0871087836
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
See also
- Bandiagara Escarpment
- Moki Steps
- White Canyon (Utah)
- Water glyphs
- Timeline of dendrochronology timestamp events#Cliff dwellings, etc, the Americas
Template:Cliff dwellings
| |||||
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
