“ More towers have been found in the Mesa Verde-Montezuma Valley area than in any other part of the Southwest. Most of these were located near kivas, and many were connected to kivas by tunnels. This suggests that towers were important in Anasazi ceremonial life, but archeologists are not sure how. A tunnel extended 41 feet between a hatchway in the floor of this tower and an opening in the wall of a kiva at the far end of Badger House. This is the longest kiva-tower tunnel yet discovered in the Southwest. ”

“ This large underground room was a great kiva or ceremonial chamber. Here, perhaps, people from this community and others nearby gathered for rituals marking events important in the lives of all, such as planting and harvest. ”

“ Archeologists 14 speculate that such structures may have been windbreaks to shelter the plaza or even barriers to keep Anasazi turkeys in (or out) of the village. Although palisades have been discovered at only a few other sites in the Southwest, they may have been common features of Anasazi villages. Archeologists seldom have the time (or money) to spend stripping away the topsoil in search of the telltale rows of postholes. ”

“ This small underground room was among the last structures built on this site. Archeologists do not know its purpose, but it resembles a miniature kiva.
The last building on this site was a small pueblo. From the time the Anasazi began to live in above-ground dwellings, their villages usually included open courtyards or plazas. The kivas were located in this area. Modern Pueblo Indians use the plaza as a work area, a place to socialize, and a stage for the dances that are often a part of religious ceremonies. ”

“ Wetherill Mesa offers a variety of sights, from cliff dwellings to mesa top ruins. From the parking area, walk to the information kiosk and mini-train loading area. There the Ranger will help you plan your visit to the ruins.
Step House Ruin: The 1⁄2-mile self-guided walk takes 45 minutes to complete. Guidebooks are available on the trail to the ruin. A Ranger is on duty in the dwelling to answer any questions. This ruin may be visited anytime between 9:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Mini-Train
Departs from the kiosk area every 1⁄2-hour from 9:00 a.m. ”

“ Around 1200, most of the Mesa Verde Anasazi abandoned their homes on the mesa tops and settled in the alcoves or overhangs along the canyon walls. Some people continued to live—or at least to use ceremonial sites—on the mesa tops, however. Archeologists are virtually certain that the tower, kiva, and last block of rooms at Badger House were built in 1258.
• STOP #9
Archeology can tell us much about how human activities alter the natural environment. ”

“ Badger House Community Trail
TRAILHEAD To Long House Basketmaker Pithouses Pueblo Village Mini-Train Pickup Badger House Mini-Train Pickup Two Raven House Mini-Train Pickup To Kodak & Long House Overlooks (Trail is accessible to the handicapped)
2 About Your Visit...
Welcome to Badger House Community. This group of ruins covers nearly seven acres. Your walk through this area is a journey through 600 years of prehistory....
About The Past...
Archeologists learn about past human behavior mostly through studying technology. ”

“ The Anasazi heritage lives on.
Living in the Ground:
Modified Basketmaker Pithouse (AD 650)
By the late 500s, the Anasazi had settled on various parts of the Mesa Verde. The people lived in pithouses clustered in villages. These also included groups of small above-ground storage rooms built of jacal (mud-plastered posts) .
• STOP #1
Pithouses were structures with their floors and lower walls below ground surface. Large posts set into holes in the floor supported a flat roof and sloping sidewalls of poles, juniper bark, sage, and plaster. ”