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There's a designated path throughout the entire complex, and it leads up the cliff face so one can get a better look at everything. Here we see the village center from above.








Typical (new)ladder and chamber: many large hollows exist in the porous rock; in some cases they were used as-is (for secure storage, smoking meat, and ceremonial purposes), but some chambers have carved interiors and squared-off doorways.The normal method of building on the ground for the Anasazi was the brick pueblo style; it can be seen up here as well.









Near ground level, there are signs that wood structures were built up against the cliffs. there are scads of carvings, and even painted areas. The petroglyphs use some symbols common throughout the area for centuries, but some are not seen elsewhere. Unfortunately I don't have any really clear pictures of them; the sun was harsh that day, and the stone is so light in color.
I'd imagine that this cliff face is just beautiful at sunset... very fitting for a place of worship.









A good view of a painting... it's actually protected, very subtly, with Lexan. If i remember correctly, that "ziggurat" shape, still commonly used, represents cumulonimbus clouds, very important to subsistence farmers in this area.

If I ever venture over to your part of the world again this place is a must. Just my cup of tea.

If I ever venture over to your part of the world again this place is a must. Just my cup of tea.

Let me know... I'd go again, for sure. And Bandelier isn't the best of these sites; there are more in NM, and Arizona as well. I'd also love to check out Meteor crater in Arizona sometime... and of course that other big hole in the ground- the Grand Canyon.
I'd love to fly out there sometime, but in a rental it'd be stupid expensive... although with 3 people in a 172, it wouldn't be too bad. And a lot more fun than flying with the airlines...

I'd also love to check out ................ that other big hole in the ground- the Grand Canyon.

Ah, well there I have the advantage on you. I only had my old Canon Sureshot zoom in those days & like a fool I left my spare rolls of film in the hotel room. What an idiot. Doh......!

Still, there's no way you can capture that impressive experience on film. Just as my Native American guide told me; "You will sometimes wake up in the middle of the night & think - I stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon." Amazing.