One of the Volunteer guides at the Gila Cliff Dwellings suggested there may have been more than 15 families composing the community. He speculated that the buildings within the caves were not "the" settlement, but the ceremonial center of the community. A few, prominent individuals of the community might have lived in the cliff dwellings but the majority of the group would have stayed in a village located close to the fields.
Top Photo Right - This structure may be a smoke house. the large flat rock at its base may have been a location for butchering or hide tanning.
Under Photo Right - Allison makes here way down the ladder to return to the trail.
We may never know the real purpose for the Cliff Dwellings but Allison and I both enjoyed the volunteer guides and the experience of walking through the ruins. It was now time for us to leave. We had the option of using the stairs or the ladder to make our exit from the cliff dwelling; we both opted for the ladder. As we proceed down the trail to return to our car I took one more glace behind us; this place still remains one of my special places in the world.
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