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Pueblo people of the Mesa Verde Region
The first pueblo people settled in the Mesa Verde region around about AD 550. Around this time, the Mesa Verde Region experienced rapid population growth, bringing in technological change and progress in terms of weaponry, crop harvesting, and artifacts.

A.D. 750 to 900
Around AD 750, people of the Mesa Verde region began conglomerating into densely populated villages. Pithouses were a common feature during this period, however archaeologists believe the people of the region spent most of their time in structures built above ground that included living spaces, and storage spaces. These structures formed rows of rooms in straight or crescent shaped formations. During this period, the pueblo people began constructing larger public buildings, leading archaeologists to believe that the inception of religious, economic and political institutions in this society came around this time.

A.D. 900-1150
Around AD 900, a rapid decline in population saw many people move up into the cliff alcoves that was home to their ancestors many centuries prior. Archaeologists are unsure what caused this dramatic shift, however many suspected it was climate-related changes that instigated this shift.

Around AD 1000, large structural development advancements were made, such as moving from pole-and-adobe construction to stone masonry, thick-walled stone buildings that were built up higher and could provide more residential and storage capacity.

A.D. 1150-1300
During this period of time, a large population of the pueblo people resided in large multi-storied living spaces

Networks centered on Chaco Canyon grew and allowed the pueblo people to connect with other settlements. The “Chaco World”, as referred to by archaeologists, is noted for its distinctive architecture, with one notable unique feature a type of building called a ‘great house’. These are massive, multi-room multi-storey masonry structures with significantly larger rooms and kivas built inside the structure itself.

Subsequently, by AD 1250 a significant population of the pueblo people of the Mesa Verde region transitioned from their farmsteads to new homes in current day Arizona and New Mexico. This change meant new groups of hunter-gatherers moved into the region.