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Mesa Verde National Park View of Kodak House
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Mesa Verde National Park
Sun Temple

On Mesa Top Loop Road (map), Self-Guided, No Fee Required

 
View of Sun Temple from above
NPS PHOTO
Sun Temple
 
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Overview of Sun Temple

NPS PHOTO

Sun Temple

According to modern Pueblo Indians, Sun Temple's features classify it as a ceremonial structure. Because neither household goods nor roof beams were found by archeologists at Sun Temple, some believe the symmetrically planned "D" shaped building was never completed. Yet its size alone points to the amount of labor that went into its construction. The stones in the fine masonry walls were shaped and given a "dimpled" flat surface by the builders of the structure. Based upon the amount of fallen stone removed during excavation, the walls probably were between 11 and 14 feet high. The thick walls were double coursed and filled with a rubble core. Today, modern concrete covers the top of the walls to prevent moisture from going into the rubble placed between the walls.
 
Naturally eroded stone basin at Sun Temple

NPS PHOTO

Stone basin at Sun Temple

There is an eroded stone basin with three small indentations at the southwest corner of Sun Temple, next to the wall. This feature may have served as a sun dial to mark the change of seasons.

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View of the House of Many Windows cliff dwelling

Did You Know?
Ninety percent of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings contain 10 rooms or less. One-third have only one or two rooms. This should help to put the more famous cliff dwellings of Cliff Palace (150 rooms), Long House (150 rooms), Spruce Tree House (130 rooms), and Balcony House (40 rooms) into perspective.

Last Updated: July 26, 2007 at 17:49 MST