TEN SIXTY-SIX TO THIRTEEN HUNDRED
by
Nancy M. Pinkley.

When we think of the new world civilizations, the Cliff Dweller, and others, we usually think of them in comparison to our present very complex civilization, instead of as we should to our culture of the same period, six to nine hundred years ago.

The definite dates we have on the various ruins range from 1073 in Cliff Palace, to 1262 in Spruce Tree House. In 1066 William the Conqueror completed the Norman conquest of England. Most of us are familiar with this date, but how many of us are acquainted with the following bits of information:— That at this time the houses of the English were low wooden structures, with a hole in the roof instead of a chimney, with wooden benches instead of chairs, and that none had carpets. That the meat was usually cooked by boiling. That the Anglo-Saxons did not have grates or fireplaces, but made a fire on the ground and placed a kettle over it. That they were very ignorant, according to out standards, being unable to either read or write. In rainy weather and on winter evenings they played with their dogs, sharpened their arrows and polished their spears. This is all seven years before the construction of Cliff Palace. All these comments will fit the Cliff Dwellers of the same period, except that they lived in houses built of masonry instead of wood, and probably did not have any domesticated animal, with the exception of the turkey.

In 1076 the Seljuk Turks took Jerusalem, and in 1094 they obtained full possession of the Holy Land. This laid the foundation for the First Crusade. The first section of the First Crusade, known as the Peoples Crusade, and led by Peter the Hermit, was a total failure. The Crusade of the Nobles under the leadership of Godfrey of Bullion, was more successful, and Jerusalem was captured in 1099.

In 1147 the Second Crusade was started. This was preached by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and led by Conrad III of Germany and Louis VII of France. This one was without success.

The Third Crusade was started, led by Richard Coeur de Lion of England, and Phillip Agustus of France, in 1189 and ended in 1192.

At the time of these crusades of the old world the cliff dwellers in the new world had a smooth working system of ceremonies and religious observances that had no need of any crusades to keep them going, his only wars were against his enemies, the nomadic Indians.

From 1163 to 1235, during which time Balcony House, Square Tower House, and part of Spruce Tree House were being built in the Mesa Verde, over in Paris one of the most famous and beautiful of all cathedrals was being constructed, that is, the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It gives rise to thought when we realize this great cathedral as well as those of Chartres (1194-1260), Rheims (1212-1241), and Amiens (1220-1288), were all under construction during the time. at which the culture of the Mesa Verde people was at its height.

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