The Mesa Verde Region is a portion of the Colorado Plateau in the United States that extends through parts of New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. It is bounded by the San Juan River to the south, the Piedra River to the east, the San Juan Mountains to the north and the Colorado River to the west.
20-705: The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center near Cortez, Colorado , in the heart of the Mesa Verde, has been conducting research in the region since 1982. Although the Mesa Verde National Park contains the largest and best known ruins of the Pueblo peoples, there are many other community centers in the central Mesa Verde region dating to the period between 1050 and 1290 AD. This is a huge area covering over 150,000 square miles (390,000 km). Over 130 centers containing fifty or more residential structures have been identified in
40-478: A large population of the pueblo people resided in large multi-storied living spaces Networks centered on Chaco Canyon grew and allowed the pueblo people to connect with other settlements. The "Chaco World", as referred to by archaeologists, is noted for its distinctive architecture, with one notable unique feature a type of building called a 'great house'. These are massive, multi-room multi-storey masonry structures with significantly larger rooms and kivas built inside
60-604: A year-round campus. He earned his Ed.D. in 1975. His research into learning continued and from 1975 until 1986, Berger, now joined by his wife Joanne, pioneered new and effective learning and teaching techniques. The challenge was taking a student from zero knowledge about SW history and archaeology to working alongside of an academic scholar – and being effective – in two days. The accelerated learning techniques he developed made this possible. The original campus facilities were basic, but "better than tents". Educational programs were expanded to age groups 10–80 years of age. Dr. Ron Gould
80-482: Is a center for archaeological research, education, and preservation of the history of the Ancient Pueblo peoples , who lived on and in the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde more than seven centuries ago. Established by private cultural initiatives that continue the work of American benefactors, the center provides hands-on programs for people to experience archaeological excavation of Native American sites. Crow Canyon
100-462: Is the result of work in experiential and hands-on education started in 1967 by Edward F. Berger, a history teacher with the Cherry Creek Schools near Denver, Colorado. Berger brought students to SW Colorado and involved them in building community and programs that increased motivation and accelerated learning. Because of the rich prehistoric cultural base in the area, archaeology was added to
120-602: The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area , Natural Bridges National Monument , Hovenweep National Monument , Yucca House National Monument and Aztec Ruins National Monument . The first pueblo people settled in the Mesa Verde region around about AD 550. Around this time, the Mesa Verde Region experienced rapid population growth, bringing in technological change and progress in terms of weaponry, crop harvesting, and artifacts. Around AD 750, people of
140-446: The FIA. Struever was a successful fundraiser and promoter. By 1983, negotiations resulted in a merger of the two non-profit corporations (note that Non-profit corporations are not bought and sold). FIA then changed its name to The Center for American Archaeology (at Northwestern University). CAA paid off I-SEP's debts and Bergers donated 70 acres of land. A new lodge designed to house 40 students
160-494: The Mesa Verde region began conglomerating into densely populated villages. Pithouses were a common feature during this period, however archaeologists believe the people of the region spent most of their time in structures built above ground that included living spaces, and storage spaces. These structures formed rows of rooms in straight or crescent shaped formations. During this period, the pueblo people began constructing larger public buildings, leading archaeologists to believe that
180-487: The Mesa Verde region with the goal of teaching archaeology through hands-on experience. Students and teachers alike are invited to participate in research in the archaeological camp. Key initiatives include education, research, and cultural programs. Past President and CEO Deborah Gangloff defined Crow Canyon's programs as an opportunity: "to not only learn archaeology and do archaeology...but also to have some fun". 2010 Society for American Archaeology 7.5 Film Fest award for
200-1407: The San Juan Mountains Association) 2006 Colorado Historical Society's Caroline Bancroft History Award for project titled "Making History: Engaging the Public in Reconstructing the Past" 2006 Colorado Preservation, Inc., State Honor Award for project titled "Ancient Images, Pueblo Perspectives" (co-recipient with the Anasazi Heritage Center) 2003 Colorado Historical Society's Stephen H. Hart Award for Leadership in Educational Programming in Colorado Archaeology 2003 Princeton Review: The Best 109 Internships 2002 Awesome Library Editor's Choice for Castle Rock Pueblo: A Trip Through Time 1999 Society for American Archaeology's Award for Excellence in Public Education 1992 President's Historic Preservation Award 1991 El Pomar Foundation's Henry McAllister Award for Excellence in Special Projects There are several excavation sites at
220-517: The University of Northern Colorado on a doctoral program designed to create and field test experiential, motivational, and accelerated learning programs. These programs were interdisciplinary, supplemental high school credit courses. In 1972, Berger wrote the non-profit corporation Crow Canyon operates under today. Then it was called I-S Education Programs. In 1974, Berger purchased 80 acres of land west of Cortez, Colorado on Crow Canyon and began designing
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#1732851956284240-527: The central region, many of which have yet to be examined in any detail. A small portion of the Mesa Verde to the southeast of Cortez, Colorado contains the Mesa Verde National Park , which protects almost 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in the area between 600 and 1300 AD. Other parks in the Mesa Verde from west to east include
260-424: The curricula and Berger, with the help of Dr. Art Rohn (then of Wichita State University) supported Rohn's graduate students to teach and supervise high school students doing original research excavating ancient pueblo sites. The development of this arrangement with academic scholars and the involvement and teaching of high school age students is believed to be first of its kind. In 1972, Berger began working through
280-512: The early 80s, Crow Canyon was well known for its educational programs and its archaeological research. The Bergers needed capital to improve the campus and to free them of 24/7/365 responsibility. They learned of the Foundation for Illinois Archaeology and its fledgling program at Kampsville, Illinois. A young and dynamic man, Clark Hinsdale, was building an educational component. Bergers contacted professor Struever at Northwestern University who headed
300-475: The film Visit With Respect (collaborative project by Crow Canyon, the Anasazi Heritage Center, and the San Juan Mountains Association) 2008 National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Preservation Honor Award 2008 Colorado Historical Society's Caroline Bancroft History Award for the film Visit with Respect (awarded to the Anasazi Heritage Center for a collaborative project with Crow Canyon and
320-676: The inception of religious, economic and political institutions in this society came around this time. Around AD 900, a rapid decline in population saw many people move down into the cliff alcoves that were home to their ancestors many centuries before. Archaeologists are unsure what caused this dramatic shift, however many suspected it was climate-related changes that instigated this shift. Around AD 1000, large structural development advancements were made, such as moving from pole-and-adobe construction to stone masonry, thick-walled stone buildings that were built up higher and could provide more residential and storage capacity. During this period of time,
340-461: The model that drives Crow Canyon today had been tested and functioning for almost 18 years. Since its foundation, the mission of Crow Canyon has been to preserve and protect the rich heritage of the ancient Pueblo Indians (or Anasazi) of the American Southwest and to educate the public of the need to preserve and protect archaeological resources. Archaeological research has been conducted in
360-582: The structure itself. Subsequently, by AD 1250 a significant population of the pueblo people of the Mesa Verde region transitioned from their farmsteads to new homes in current day Arizona and New Mexico. This change meant new groups of hunter-gatherers moved into the region. Citations Sources Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is a 170-acre (69 ha) research center and "living classroom" located in southwestern Colorado , US, which offers experiential education programs for students and adults. Crow Canyon
380-635: Was built. A lab building was provided. Additional research archaeologists were hired, and Bergers identified two major sites for research: Sand Canyon Pueblo, and the Duckfoot Site. Southwest archaeologists coordinated the research design and standards, academic supervision, and selection of staff archaeologists. In the spring of 1986, knowing that the center was on firm ground, Jo and Ed Berger resigned their positions of executive director and associate director respectively. They were able to pick their successor, Ian Sandy Thompson. So much had been accomplished and
400-526: Was the first staff archaeologist and teacher. Significant involvement with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe resulted in special Native American programs on campus and deep and lasting relationships with Ute Neighbors. Survey work in the areas west of the campus resulted in the identification and naming of sites (Smithsonian Numbers). Many bear the names of the schools across the US whose students identified them. By
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