Moon House facts for kids
Moon House is an ancient cliff dwelling found in southeastern Utah, on a place called Cedar Mesa. It was built by the Ancestral Puebloan people. They lived there a long, long time ago, between the years 1150 and 1300.
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Exploring Moon House: What Was It Like?
Moon House is actually made up of three main parts, or sections. Experts call these sections M-1, M-2, and M-3. Each part seems to have had a different job or purpose for the people who lived there.
Section M-1: Homes for Families
Section M-1 was likely where families lived. It had about five different homes. Scientists have studied the wood used in these buildings. They found that most of the rooms in M-1 were built between the years 1125 and 1250.
Section M-2: A Giant Storage Area
Section M-2 was mostly used for storage. Imagine a huge pantry or warehouse! The buildings here were built between 1109 and 1268. This area probably held food and other important supplies for the community.
Section M-3: A Special Place for Ceremonies
Section M-3 was a very important part of Moon House. It was mainly used for special ceremonies and gatherings. This section has a large room called a kiva, which was a common meeting place for the Ancestral Puebloans. Most of the buildings in M-3 were built between 1150 and 1255.
Since no other kivas have been found nearby, Moon House might have been a central spot for ceremonies. People from other small villages in the canyon, and even from the flat areas above, might have come here for important events.
Why Is It Called Moon House?
Moon House got its name from some unique drawings found inside one of its rooms. In Room I, which is part of the M-1 section, there are special pictographs. These are ancient drawings on the walls that look like moons. They are a cool clue about the people who lived there long ago!
