People from all over the world study the Mesa Verde region because these archaeologicalsites hold rich data. The arid climate, large number of sites, and well-preserved wood inthose sites have made it possible to develop a more complete chronology of this region thananywhere else in the world.  Trees produce growth rings of different sizes every year that reveal changes in precipitation.  Scientists use tree rings to pinpoint construction dates of buildings.


3 Tree Ring Cores from southwest Colorado.  Important for dendrochronology

Tree Ring Core

History Colorado

Photograph of adobe structure with wood log beams.  This structure style is common to the Southwestern United States.  This photo was taken in Southern Colorado or Northern New Mexico.

Standards for Ways of Knowing Part 1 - Tree Rings