Part 9/11:
Clicking photographs and exploring the ruins, they found a complex of hundreds of rooms, some still retaining their mortar and wooden beams, along with pottery shards, stone tools, and even human remains. Their discoveries sparked widespread archaeological interest, but early exploration was marred by looting and vandalism by treasure seekers.
Recognizing the site’s cultural importance, preservation efforts gained momentum. Influential figures such as archaeologist Gustaf Nordenskiöld, who conducted the first scientific excavations in 1891, and heritage advocates like Virginia McLoone, promoted conservation. Their work culminated in 1906, when Congress established Mesa Verde National Park—the first protected archaeological park in the United States.