Square Tower House, a photo from Colorado, West

Photographer's Note

"Following the "Ruins Road" after Far View House, Square Tower House stands against a southern-facing pocket along the eastern edge of Navajo Canyon. The present-day namesake of this place is all that remains of a multi-storied structure -- four stories tall in places along the cliff wall, then three and two -stories out and below that -- occupied between 1200 and 1300 ad, and which originally consisted of over 80 rooms. Today, the remains of 60 rooms and 7 kivas are visible. Two of the kivas retain portions of their original roofs -- one of these, to the right of the "tower", was used as a model for its "cribbed roof" design by the Park Service with reconstruction of kiva roofs in Spruce House. As with most of the cliff houses, at the bottom of the draw below this site is a healthy spring which could have provided water for Square Tower's occupants. Hand and toe "trials", carved into the cliff's sandstone, provided access to water sources and the mesa above where fields were located. There was no path access to this dwelling." (rope & wooden ladders were used, instead)

Source: http://www.ratical.org/southwest/SquareTower.html

"The famed four story tower in this 13th century Anasazi (Pueblo Indian) ruin, was originally just the back part of a pueblo that stepped up to meet its fourth floor. Most of the front portion of the pueblo collapsed long ago, leaving the rear to tower majestically over the remaining ruins. A couple of even higher "crow's nest" rooms are visible in the crevice at the upper right-hand corner of this image."

Source: http://www.cupola.com/html/bldgstru/southwst/slide/mvsqu02e.htm

I've read that a combination of a 300 year long megadrought, & the arrival of the Navajo Indians, effectively ended the Anasazi civilization.

Here's a false wide angled view, of the sprawling ruins, from one of the above websites. (www.ratical.org)

ymrk, snunney, MiffyO, serp2000, pierrefonds, Gerrit, dareco, shevchenko, axiotea, jhm, gunbud, Cricri, Charo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ymrk (14929) 2009-04-19 1:25

Chris,Hello!
How an excellent details and amazing view in this place...Very well lights!
Have a nice weekend,

Yağmur

snunney (67918) 2009-04-19 2:04

Hello Chris,
A good capture of this fascinating house built into the rock. The better of green vegetation at the bottom is well included to provide some relief from the predominantly red tones. Very good sharpness. Thanks also for the note, which is interesting and informative.

serp2000 (29612) 2009-04-19 3:14

Privet, Chris,
Very interesting story and fine photowork! Good POV. Very impressive ruins. TFS!
Serghei

npecanhuk (54207) 2009-04-19 3:37

Olá Chris!
Although I lived in Colorado for an entire year, I didn't visit this place! I really like it! The vertical format, the high pov, the soft lights and colors, sharpness and exposure are all very good and the result is pleasant and beautiful! Interesting spot in the wonderful Colorado State!
TFS - Congratulations!
Have a great sunday!
Neyvan

pierrefonds (48661) 2009-04-19 4:30

Hi Chris,

The houses built in the rock are impressive. The point of view is showing with precision the details and colors of the houses. The subject is well framed. THe good luminosity brings out the colors of the scenery. Have a nice day.

Pierre

nwoehnl (122) 2009-04-19 6:58

Hi Chris. Quite interesting structure, good tight framing to show the way in which it has been carved from the sandstone.

jonathan_hart (21268) 2009-04-19 7:05

hi Chris
that's always amazing to see such human constructions merged to nature
jc

Gerrit (43745) 2009-04-19 8:48

Hi Chris,
what a fantastic place. You found a great POV.
Regards, Gerrit

gilou530 (34) 2009-04-19 12:19

salut chris
un site grandiose dans un paysage hostile, des couleurs ocres bien travaillées et un cadrage vertical qui donne encore plus de hauteur
amitiés
gilbert

yedirenk (11242) 2009-04-19 14:17

Hi Chris,
great shot!very interesting ruins.details,textures and colours are very impressive.an eye-catcher scene with this hidden city.well done.TFS
Best Regards

Cevdet

dareco (17134) 2009-04-19 16:08

Very interesting!! Good lighting and detail, and a very informative note. TFS

shevchenko (18243) 2009-04-19 19:28

Hello Chris,
Interesting composition to show the hidden site, I wonder how to built houses on this danger cliff, good pov to show a selected house, not easy to show it because the houses are almost have the same color with surrounding environment, distinct image, good shoot.
Ally

axiotea (21647) 2009-04-19 21:11

salut Chris
A well chosen pov allowing to see clearly the square tower details in a good light! The vertical format suits well its presentation and I like its color tones. Thanks for the informative note...
Cheers
Marilyn

devimeuxbe (58557) 2009-04-20 2:26

Hi Chris
What a strange place ! fascinating building. Excellent presentation
Bertrand

jhm (123116) 2009-04-20 4:31

Hello Chris,

What a nice camouflage of these building.
Great architecture picture, also the colours are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

jemaflor (69709) 2009-04-20 11:14

Hi Chris,
interesting place well taken, great landscape, impressive old houses, tfs.

gunbud (34052) 2009-04-20 18:04

Hi Chris,
Wonderful shot of these magnificent cliff dwellings that are seen in sharp details and clear colors.
Love the rich textures of this fine image and your very informative note as well.
Regards, Tom

danyy (0) 2009-04-20 23:04

Bonjour Chris,
pas mal du tout d'avoir déniché cet endroit. Un POV original mais qui à mon avis ne vaut ps la contre plongée bien qu'il donne cette impression de hauteur et un petit vertige. Un rendu naturel des couleurs locales.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

Cricri (87288) 2009-04-21 10:14

Hi Chris
Façinante construction dans le rocher,bon détails et couleurs, une note très intéresante de ce lieu
Friendship
cricri

Charo (51174) 2009-04-23 15:48

Hello Chris,
Interesting place and the astonishing height of these ancient buildings. Magnificent views and excellent light and details.
Greetings,
Charo