Top of a ladder at Acoma Pueblo

Acoma Pueblo (like several others) has several levels of housing on top of one another. But with no extra room for staircases, upper levels are reached by exterior ladders. Food, water, babies, building materials, furniture, and everything else must be carried up these ladders, so they must be built to last. Here, three vertical risers provide for two wide paths up and down; the three risers (made from trees) are held together at the top by this carved wood piece - both functional and decorative.

Acoma Pueblo, N.M.