Gezicht op de ruïne van een rotswoning, Step House, in Mesa Verde National Park before 1893

This photograph by Gustaf Nordenskiöld captures the Step House ruin in Mesa Verde. The image shows dwellings nestled in the cliff, a powerful symbol of shelter and community. Throughout history, we see the motif of refuge, from biblical caves to medieval walled cities. These cliffside homes evoke a primal desire for protection. Consider, for instance, the cave paintings of Lascaux, where early humans recorded their world. The cliffs here are more than geological formations; they are a canvas. The architectural integration with the landscape is particularly striking. The structures blend into the rock, almost disappearing. This mirrors nature's camouflage, a subconscious yearning for harmony with the world. Viewing this image, one feels the weight of time and the enduring human spirit. The cyclical nature of civilization is present here, where past and present converge. The Step House is more than a ruin; it's a testament to resilience and the enduring human need for home.