Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park

Indigenous Cultures & Archaeology Adventure Pack

High within the sandstone cliffs of Mesa Verde, the story of an ancient community is shifting.

Artifacts are misplaced. Kiva records are incomplete. Clues about adaptation and survival during drought are out of sequence. Ari Raider has detected a disruption in the archaeological record and needs explorers to restore the historical timeline before the story of the cliff dwellers is lost.

In Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park, students are dropped into one of North America’s most remarkable archaeological sites on a high-stakes historical mission. By learning how Pueblo communities built cliff dwellings, how culture shaped daily life, and how adaptation helped communities respond to environmental challenges, explorers must reconstruct artifacts, analyze settlement clues, and preserve the legacy of Mesa Verde.

This adventure blends Indigenous history and archaeology with story, exploration, and optional hands-on discovery.

About This Adventure Pack

Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park is designed for elementary explorers and connects directly to an interactive online adventure.

Students can complete the Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park adventure online for free, including access to free printable trading cards that match this experience. The online adventure delivers the full learning and story-driven mission without requiring a physical kit.

👉 Explore the free Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park adventure here:
Coming Soon

For families or classrooms that want to extend the experience, this Adventure Pack adds a hands-on excavation and collectible cards that bring the archaeological mission into the physical world.

The learning experience is the same whether students use the physical pack or not. The pack simply adds a tactile, collectible layer to the adventure.

What This Adventure Covers

Each Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park Adventure Pack explores core Indigenous culture and archaeology concepts, including:

• Pueblo – Indigenous communities of the Southwest
• Cliff Dwelling – Homes built into canyon walls for protection
• Kiva – A ceremonial and community gathering space
• Artifact – An object made or used by people in the past
• Archaeology – The study of past cultures through physical remains
• Drought – A long period with little rainfall
• Adaptation – Adjusting to environmental challenges
• Culture – Traditions, beliefs, and ways of life
• Preservation – Protecting historical sites and artifacts

Each topic appears naturally within the adventure and is required to move the story forward, reinforcing learning through exploration rather than memorization.

What’s Inside the Pack

• Adventure-Filled Field Pack (6×9 Adventure Pouch)
• Adventure Mission Card
• Interactive Online Adventure
• Knowledge Card Pack
• Mystery Dig Kit
• Dig Stick Tool
• Cleaning Wipe
• Mystery Collectible Specimen (Gemlet)
• Gemlet Storage Container
• Excavating Adventures Sticker

Why Kids Love It

Exploring cliff dwellings, decoding artifact clues, restoring ancient settlements, and uncovering a real mystery specimen makes learning feel like a true archaeological expedition.

Why Teachers and Parents Love It

Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park supports social studies standards through respectful cultural exploration, environmental connections, and flexible classroom or at-home use. The adventure works for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent learning — with or without the physical pack.

Free Adventure Option

Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park is also available online for free, including free printable trading cards that align directly with this adventure. No purchase is required to participate.

This reflects our mission at Excavating Adventures: to make engaging, story-driven adventures accessible to everyone.

👉 Explore the free Cliff Code at Mesa Verde National Park adventure here:
Coming Soon