What are cliff dwellings?

Cliff dwellings are indeed homes built along cliff walls and mountainsides. This type of architecture is often associated with ancient Native American cultures, particularly the Ancestral Puebloans in the Southwestern United States. These dwellings were constructed to provide protection from the elements, intruders, and to utilize the natural features of the environment for defense and shelter. The choice highlights the unique adaptation of communities to their surroundings, allowing them to thrive in often challenging terrains.

The other options describe different types of structures or functions that do not accurately capture the essence of cliff dwellings. For instance, while some cliff dwellings may be made from stone, the defining characteristic is their location and construction along cliff faces rather than the materials used. Additionally, cliff dwellings are not primarily designed for communal meetings, nor do they serve as temporary housing for nomadic tribes, which typically use different forms of shelter suited to their lifestyle. The focus on the specific characteristics of cliff dwellings underscores their importance in understanding human adaptation and architectural ingenuity.