AB Archaeologia Baltica 1392-5520 1392-5520 KU 10_131-140_MUNSON_ET_AL Article Reading, writing, and recording the architecture: how astronomical cycles may be reflected in the architectural construction at Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, USA Munson Gregory E. SunTemple@frontier.net ∗ Bates Bryan C. bryan.bates@coconino.edu Coconino Community College Nordby Larry V. lnordby@aol.com Western Mapping Company Corresponding author. 10 131 140 20 12 2008 20 12 2008 16 10 2007 10 03 2008 2008 Klaipėda University

When tree ring dates at Mesa Verde National Park were plotted as a function of time along the lunar standstill cycle, a correlation was evident, leading to the hypothesis that architectural features and construction phases were timed according to the lunar 18.6 year cycle. A detailed architectural analysis at Sun Temple and tree ring analysis support the sub-hypothesis that lunar maximums were observed over Sun Temple from the Painted Tower area of Cliff Palace. Tree ring dates at Balcony House and Square Tower House suggest a similar relationship between construction of specialized architecture such as kivas and the lunar maximum cycle.

 Archaeology lunar maximum architectural documentation science archaeoastronomy