Even though the United States is one of the leaders of Western Civilization, Europeans were not the first settlers of North America. Long before the Pilgrims and other colonists arrived here from Europe there were thriving communities throughout what is now Canada, America, and Mexico. Many of these groups have left significant remnants of their culture which can be visited by tourists. Some of the sites are extremely impressive and leave lasting memories with those who discover them. Here are some Native American sites that Lee & I have spent time at and cherish our memories of.

   In Canada, there are a few places where visitors can view Native cultures. One of those is Fairbanks, along the Chena River where you can still see Salmon-Catchers of the Athabascans

Salmon Catcher

 and pelts which they wore and sold.

Various Pelts

  In the United State, the premier Native site is at Mesa Verde National Park, in southwestern Colorado.

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde

 These communities were built under a cliff overhang, probably for protection.

Mesa Verde

 Another Native American ruin is found at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, in New Mexico.

Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Culture

 In Mexico, the Mayan Culture is one of the most famous and most visited. The resort area of Cancun is near several of these Mayan sites. One is found right on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. It is known as Tulum.

Tulum

  The site contains several buildings including this one, known as El Castillo.

El Castillo, Tulum

 Buildings like this one are common on the grounds of most Mayan sites, but the most well-preserved and most famous one is found at Chichen Itza, the premier Mayan site in Mexico.

El Castillo, Chichen Itza

 Another interesting building on the grounds of Chichen Itza is the Observatory (Mayans were fascinated with heavenly bodies like the sun and the moon).

The Observatory, Chichen Itza