Aren’t human beings remarkable?

In a perfect world, every school child would be able to explore existing ruins of an ancient civilization.

If they did, they would understand how astonishingly cool they, and all humans, are.

In my lifetime, I have been lucky enough to climb through Tikal in Guatemala, Machu Picchu in Peru, Diocletian’s Palace in Croatia, the Masada in Israel and the Puya Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico.

This past weekend, thanks to a tip from my brother in-law Brian, we explored Bandelier National Monument, just outside Los Alamos, New Mexico.

As we made our way through the nearly empty trails, we could easily imagine the thriving community that once lived there. Well-placed ladders allow us current humans, apparently a little less nimble and saddled with much bigger feet, to climb up into the cave dwellings. Nearly 1,000 years ago, people scampered up and down those walls daily, using tiny volcanic and water-drilled holes for leverage.

In addition to their obvious dexterity, the Ancestral Pueblo people enjoyed an impressive sophistication. They domesticated turkeys, for food and feathers, and dogs, for protection and companionship. They grew crops in terraced gardens, developed tools and created walking paths to other villages for trading and socialization.

If you’re looking for a little optimism in this crazy world, just think about how amazing we humans are and always have been.

After about 400 years, the people of Cochiti Pueblo moved on, driven by a severe drought and the desire to find more fertile soil for their crops. But, they left behind such indestructible evidence of their thriving community, it has lasted more than 800 years.

I am aware, of course, of the ironic proximity of the Alamogordo Bombing Range, site of the world’s first nuclear test, to the Bandelier National Monument. One stands as a testament to human resilience, the other to the human potential for destruction.

I’ll take the former every time.

I think the more time we spend appreciating the amazing humans who preceded us, the more confident we can be about what lies ahead.

Let’s go!