A Pictorial Guide to Mesa Verde National Park

by Ansel F. Hall

CLIFF PALACE

CLIFF PALACE occupies a large cave in the precipitous wall of one of Mesa Verde’s 28 canyons. At the right in this photo is the back of the so-called “Speaker Chief Tower” which is pictured on [page 5].

There are 23 kivas, circular underground ceremonial chambers, each of which was used by the men of an individual clan. When visiting ruins, note these features: fire pit, ventilator shaft, deflector, 6 pilasters, and the Sipapu (spiritous entrance to the underworld).