When I went to Mesa Verde at a kid, the story that was told was of the people who found (and rescued) the ruins. They talked about the great mystery of where the “Anasazi” went (that term isn’t used anymore).
When I took my son a year ago, the whole park had changed the story completely. No more was there a story of Western Discovery, but of a people who are still around (the Puebloans). The rangers were all Puebloans and told stories they were taught as children. They told us an oral story of their ancestors, who lived in a cave dwelling, that faced exactly north, and had 7 Kivas. That exact dwelling is known in Mesa Verde. Spanish monks had recorded the story before the “rediscovery”, and only recently was such stories/evidence taken seriously. There was no mystery.
The experience visiting 30ish years apart was astonishing. I was heartened at the change. The large museum is being rebuilt to enhance that narrative.
It might be a small bit of justice, but at least it’s something.
When I went to Mesa Verde at a kid, the story that was told was of the people who found (and rescued) the ruins. They talked about the great mystery of where the “Anasazi” went (that term isn’t used anymore).
When I took my son a year ago, the whole park had changed the story completely. No more was there a story of Western Discovery, but of a people who are still around (the Puebloans). The rangers were all Puebloans and told stories they were taught as children. They told us an oral story of their ancestors, who lived in a cave dwelling, that faced exactly north, and had 7 Kivas. That exact dwelling is known in Mesa Verde. Spanish monks had recorded the story before the “rediscovery”, and only recently was such stories/evidence taken seriously. There was no mystery.
The experience visiting 30ish years apart was astonishing. I was heartened at the change. The large museum is being rebuilt to enhance that narrative.
It might be a small bit of justice, but at least it’s something.