Fred and Barney didn't dwell in these historical ruins....

Anasazi Heritage Center-Dolores, CO

Near Cortez, CO is one of the most interesting and beautifully curated visitor centers, Anasazi Heritage Center, that we have encountered on exploring our "bucket list" of national parks. A mere 3 miles outside of Dolores and 10 miles from Cortez this center was educational, interesting, visually gratifying and was filled with artifacts that have been excavated from the nearby Canyons of the Ancients sites.





Overlay of Anasazi cultures in the area

Displays of pottery by the period created, hands on educational displays, and even a replica of a pueblo and kiva that is accessible for close up viewing.

Educational drawers

Anasazi pottery 900-1150 A.D.

 

Sand Canyon site map



 

According to the information panels scattered around,Sand Canyon Pueblo consisted of 420 rooms, 100 kivas and 14 towers, in 13 room block. A community of several hundred people lived here between A.D. 1245 - 1290, and is twice as large Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde NP.  Excavation of the pueblo community was done between 1983 - 1993 and then re-buried to preserve the ruins.

 

Our day continued as we moved on to Painted Hand Pueblo....

 

        

 We ended our day at Hovenweep National Monument....stunningly beautiful, easy 2 mile stroll of the rim loop that captures both cliff dwelling and pueblo houses...well their remains at least.

 

 

Hovenweep National Monument & Visitor Center

Visiting during October can be risky at this elevation we lucked out with clear sunny skies and a brisk mid 40's afternoon.  Although the ranger informed us that the loop was 1.5 hours, we managed to see all of it in roughly 60 minutes, which included descending to and crossing the canyon floor.

The trail map below gives you an idea of where the buildings were located along the canyon rim.

If you are in Cortez you can see these and a few others that we didn't get to this trip. It certainly was worth the drive.  (I have included a separate slideshow on the right side of my blog with additional pictures of all three sites.)

~ Ciao