Definition:
The term "Cliff dwellings" generally refers to Anasazi culture sites such as Mesa Verde, in the state of Colorado, US, that have residences built right into the sheer cliffs of mountains. These buildings included rooms which were generally carved into the soft stone, and then extended with adobe walls and wood roofs.
Sources
This glossary entry is a part of the About.com Guide to Ancient House Types and part of the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Examples:
Mesa Verde