In 1888, two cowboys spotted something strange at the base of some rocky reddish-yellow cliffs in southwestern Colorado. There, carved into the side of a plateau, was a hidden village of buildings and towers filled with empty windows. The men climbed down to explore the strange cliff dwellings and found hidden staircases and hundreds of rooms, some filled with children's toys, bowls, axes—and even skeletons! Who were the mysterious people who had built these structures? Why did they leave their homes, and where did they go? Cliff Dwellings: A Hidden World tells the amazing story of the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, which were suddenly and mysteriously abandoned more than 700 years ago. The book includes a dramatic account of the discovery of the cliff houses, along with ideas about the people who lived in them and theories about why they suddenly abandoned their homes. Large color photos, maps, and fact boxes enrich the exciting story. Written in narrative format, this book is sure to keep readers hungry for more exciting real-life tales.