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Ancestral Puebloans

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When my parents were in the military my family and I moved around the country frequently. Before moving to Nebraska, I lived in Colorado Springs for a year. While I have many fond memories of the beautiful area, mountain trails, and view of the mountains from my bedroom window, there is one place that is truly memorable – The Manitou Cliff Dwellings, just 25 minutes from Colorado Springs. The first time I went there, I was in Kindergarten during a field trip. As a child it was fascinating to explore the cliff dwellings, play traditional games, and learn about a different culture. During my visit, I learned a great deal about the Anasazi or Ancestral Puebloans as they will be referred to in this paper. However, over the years, the facts and information have begun to fade and I am left with only images of the …show more content…
While I visited cliff dwellings in the central part of Colorado, many of the Ancestral Puebloans settled in the Southwestern part of Colorado. This area consisted of forested mountain ranges, grasslands, river bottoms, and mesas. According to DesertUSA, spruce, subalpine firs, and, in some areas, bristlecone pine, grew in the 10,000 to 11,500 foot range” in elevation. Between 7500 to 10500 feet, firs, spruces, and pines had the ability to grow. Living in the area, sheep, deer, bears, and elk roamed freely through the valleys and meadows. In the grasslands, antelope could be seen grazing.
Growing season did not last longer is this area, however. A typical growing season in the Ancestral Puebloan area would only last four to five months. In an average year, groups could expect to see 8 to 12 inches of precipitation. After growing season and during the winter, temperatures ranged from 20 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, temperatures could get up to 90

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