Nikon D810, High Dynamic Range composite (15 sec, 8 sec, 4 sec, 2 sec, 1.3 sec)

The soot on the ceiling of the Gila Cliff dwelling cave represents thousands of years of human occupation. The dwellings themselves were occupied from the 1270s through the early 1300s. It is a bit mind-bending to think you can see something that has existed for 700 years.

Of note is a hand print on that blueish wall to the right center of the image (the blueish tint is from the lights used to illuminate dark areas). The ranger said this hand print is from one of the people who built the wall. Imagine what they would think if they were transported to our time.

Gila Cliff Dwellings: 33.227263° -108.267446°