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Silver SmokeA History of the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado and the Construction of Rail Roads in this Alpine Valley Not a finished document corrections and additions almost daily revision 2b |
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White Smoke….. Indian Culture in the Alpine Valley
We now look upon the lands that sheltered tens of thousands of years of human inhabitation that proceeded our present day view of the Rocky Mountains. These mountains and valleys were not lived upon they needed to be survived. Very pleasant summers, cool rains and green fields of trees around the rivers and coating the mountains give the casual vacation traveler a false view of what life was for those who came before. Our modern 21st century way of life isolates us completely from the harsh realities of nomad Indian life. Life in the mountains and high valleys could be easy during the Summer months while game, and wild grains were plentiful. The winters could be so severe that it would not allow year round settlements in the northern valley and mountain areas. Seasonal movement to the southern end of the valley, down into what is now called New Mexico, was necessary for survival. When the first snows of winter came, this triggered not only their migration but also those of thousands of deer, elk, and other indigenous animals. The native population of this area dates back to 23,000 BC. directly to a cave located just north east of Albuquerque. This humble cave was home to the early native explorers who came into the southwest from the northern pacific coast. With their expanding population, this colony of new Native Americans populated the mountain areas a hundred and eighty miles north of this earliest known southwest settlement.  ß Rock Art near Del Norte
Although little is known of the early tribes that gathered in San Luis valley, we do have a few scattered remains of their villages and Petroglyphs and pictographs in the area of Del Norte. There is no remaining evidence of large settlements or Pueblos in the upper valley area such as there is in the southern valley area of Santa Fe and down near Albuquerque, New Mexico. For over ten thousand years the southern Rocky Mountains became the homeland of the Yutas, "The People of the Shining Mountains" ( Ute ) and Tewa Indians " The People of the Blue Skies". These tribes are the direct ancestors of the tribes that built the impressive homes on Mesa Verde and other Pueblos. These new inhabitants of the valley area and surrounding mountains lived, hunted & traded through out this vast plentiful area.
1900 Tewa Chief ->
Their choice of homelands display that they possessed quality, strength and fortitude necessary to survive the winters and take full advantage of the mild summer months. The tribal knowledge of these mountains and natures ways allowed them to live along side nature, utilize the food and materials available, all this without changing or depleting the gifts nature has left for all of us to use wisely.
1900 Tewa Woman - probably his wife - 1900
Tewa Family, late 1890's |
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Copyright 2005 by Richard Cutter 12 Washington St. Monte Vista, Colorado, USA 81144 For problems or questions regarding this Web site contact Wagon-Wheel-Gap@hotmail.com |
