Kiva, Canyons of the Ancients, Colorado
The Colorado Plateau is full of surprises and mysteries. A special finding for me are reminiscence of ancient pueblo activity. Best known examples are Chaco and Mesa Verde, but there are many significantly smaller habitations and constructs left to be found by the vigil eyes. A special treat are kivas and in particular intact ones. Entering one gives me a similar feeling as being in an European gothic cathedral, even if the architectural elements cannot be compared at all.
Kivas are extraordinary. You cannot see the presence of a kiva unless there are two poles emerging out of the surface. They are kind of hidden. You have to climb down into the sacred space. Usually people have the feeling that a stair or ladder takes them up - hence the cliche “staircase to heaven”. To get to a kiva it means “ladder down”, into earth’s belly, into the darkness. I don’t have an answer what the intention of the ancient pueblo people was, but I can say that if I want to introspect, I close my eyes and I try to do this at a silent place. I try to subtract myself from the surroundings. I make forgotten what is around me. I try to listen to my inner self. I try to reconnect with my deeper intentions. These kind of feelings are called in Latin “religare” and it gave the origin for the word “religion”.
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Nikon D810
Nikon 19 mm f/4.0
1s at f/8
RAW ISO 100
10/11/2018
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