"How To Make Anasazi/Pueblo-like CLIFF Ruins???" Topic

I don't know how (yet), but I plan to build something like this, but smaller, for the ruins under the cliffs of Valles Marineris (see my link at the very bottom):

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QUESTION:

Because of the cliff overhang issue, and how that may present accessibility problems for moving figures . . .

Do any of you have any suggestions on how to overcome that space problem???

Thanks.

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TMP link

I would think that this terrain piece would be on a board edge. If not, I would build it with one totally flat side that the buildings back up onto with perhaps an inch or two of "cliff face" above the topmost roof. You could suggest an overhang by letting a half inch or so of the cliff face "overhang" the buildings.

If you use blue board or similar styrofoam-y stuff to build it with, you could do as suggested above, but cut "steps" into the side of the cliff big enough for the figures to sit on and appropriate distance apart so that they can move one, two or three steps per turn – however you want to handle that part of it.

I'm guessing buying a couple of Anasazi and putting them to work is simply too costly?

A sandtable! But don't play too long after building/carving the cave into the sand, or else you'll have buried minis when it collapses….

LOL!

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A sandtable would not do for this, which I plan to recreate in a much smaller scale, along with the Anasazi/Pueblo style buildings:

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YouTube link
YouTube link

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Thick piece of styra foam on edge for the backing, then build against it, lowest floor up. Remember to leave stairs or ladder areas to go up. The cliff dwelers of sw america used ladders though, for defense.

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Here's a link to photos of small cliff dwellings near my home. link

In most cases, they are only one room deep. In a few spots, there is a narrow corridor between the room and the cliff wall. That being the case, instead of having the tops of the buildings come off, it would be more practical to have removable the fronts, dollhouse fashion. So, I'd do the cliff in blue board or similar foam, and do the straight walls of the dwellings in foamcore board. I don't know just what I would use for the curved walls, like the round towers.
Grelber

For the curved walls use a cardboard box, such as a Quaker Oats box and cover it with spackle.

Grelber, I don't know how I could have missed that awesome link. Thanks so much.

On an entirely different topic, but using materials very similar to what I have planned, check this out:

TMP link

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I have been a Mesa Verde. Cliff Palace House actually extends out beyond the overhang. I would suggest working with a large block of styrofoam for the cliff itself. Begin by hollowing out a space that you consider big enough to accommodate what you want to build, then build. If you want to get really energetic, add an underground kiva. If you want other sites, check Spruce Tree House also at Mesa Verde or the Mogollon site at the Gila Cliff Dwellings. [The
site is not as large or spectacular as Mesa Verde, but it is in a beautiful setting.] You might also look at Walnut Creek outside of Flagstaff.
Are these supposed to be ruins in your set up, or are they going to be occupied by Anasazi?
Natokina.

I'm trying a different medium, and in a smaller scale, to test how this will go.

I should have photos of those tests soon.

If it works, I'll try to build the cliff ruin after that.

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I'd leave a hole in the top for hand access, but have a facade of cliff across the front for looks.

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Yes, please post photos of your work.
Natokina.

Look at what I just found as I was searching for other images:

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