Between A.D. 550 and the late 1300s, this area of southwestern Colorado was busy, but now the ancient buildings contain only memories. 

Though the Anasazi were well known by other peoples in their own time, today relatively little is known about their way of life.

For about 750 years, the Anasazi lived and farmed on top of Mesa Verde.

The ancestors of the Anasazi were called Basket Makers; they perfected the art of making baskets that were both beautiful and useful.

Around A.D. 550, some Basket Makers moved to Mesa Verde, where they developed a method of building dwellings called pithouses.

Soon the Anasazi learned to build square rooms with vertical walls, and their round pithouses were used only as ceremonial rooms.

Anasazi pottery has been found all over Mesa Verde; it is easily recognized by designs that were painted with black paint in intricate lines, squares, and other geometric shapes. 

Because the plateaus usually received enough rain, the Anasazi managed to grow corn, beans, and squash.

Thousands of Anasazi lived in cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde until the late 1300s, when they mysteriously abandoned their homes.

"No grades were given, but there were oral exams each week" (Tuesdays with Morrie 1).

"No books were required, yet many topics were covered, including love, work, community, family, aging, forgiveness, and finally, death" (Tuesdays with Morrie 1).

"Although no final exam was given, you were expected to produce one long paper on what was learned" (Tuesdays with Morrie 1-2).