On This Day

Richard Wetherill and his brother in-law discover the ancient Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde, Colorado

Richard Wetherill (1858–1910), a member of a Colorado ranching family, was an amateur archaeologist who discovered, researched and excavated sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People.

Richard Wetherill (1858–1910), a member of a Colorado ranching family, was an amateur archaeologist who discovered, researched and excavated sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People. He is credited with the rediscovery of Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde in Colorado and was responsible for initially selecting the term Anasazi, Navajo for ancient enemies, as the name for these ancient people. He also excavated Kiet Seel ruin, now in Navajo National Monument in northeastern Arizona, and Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.

Wetherill was fascinated by the ruins and artifacts of the Southwestern United States and made a living as a rancher, guide, excavator of ancient ruins, and trading post operator.

Historical Significance

Richard Wetherill (1858–1910), a member of a Colorado ranching family, was an amateur archaeologist who discovered, researched and excavated sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People.

Events Before

  1. Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Otello" premieres at La Scala Teatro in Milan, Italy, Verdi's first new opera for over 15 years

    Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Otello" premieres at La Scala Teatro in Milan, Italy, Verdi's first new opera for over 15 years

  2. Anne Sullivan begins teaching 6-year-old blind-deaf Helen Keller

    Anne Sullivan begins teaching 6-year-old blind-deaf Helen Keller

  3. Business magnate Andrew Carnegie (51) weds Louise Whitfield (30) in NYC, New York

    Business magnate Andrew Carnegie (51) weds Louise Whitfield (30) in NYC, New York

  4. "Europe's first motoring competition" is 'won' by The Marquis de Dion on a steam-powered quadricycle built by French toy

    "Europe's first motoring competition" is 'won' by The Marquis de Dion on a steam-powered quadricycle built by French toymaker and engineer Georges Bouton; French newspaper Le Velocipede organized the 'test', and Bouton was the only participant

  5. Yellow River or Huáng Hé floods in China, killing between 900,000 and 2 million people, one of the deadliest natural dis

    Yellow River or Huáng Hé floods in China, killing between 900,000 and 2 million people, one of the deadliest natural disasters in history

Events After

  1. Archduke Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown, is found dead with his mistress Baroness Ma

    Archduke Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown, is found dead with his mistress Baroness Mary Vetsera in Mayerling in an apparent suicide pact

  2. Eiffel Tower officially opens for dignitaries and an award ceremony in Paris, France; designed by Gustave Eiffel and bui

    Eiffel Tower officially opens for dignitaries and an award ceremony in Paris, France; designed by Gustave Eiffel and built for the Exposition Universelle, at 300 meters high, it holds the record for the tallest man-made structure for 41 years

  3. George Eastman begins selling Kodak flexible roll film for the first time

    George Eastman begins selling Kodak flexible roll film for the first time

  4. Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) in Paris opens with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance ar

    Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) in Paris opens with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance arch; the lifts in the tower are not ready, so intrepid visitors have to climb 1,710 steps to reach the top

  5. Polish pianist, and politician Ignacy Jan Paderewski (38) weds Polish baroness, social activist, and humanitaran Helena

    Polish pianist, and politician Ignacy Jan Paderewski (38) weds Polish baroness, social activist, and humanitaran Helena Maria von Rosen (32) in Warsaw, Russian Empire, until her death in 1934

More from the 1880s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 18, 1888?
Richard Wetherill (1858–1910), a member of a Colorado ranching family, was an amateur archaeologist who discovered, researched and excavated sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People. He is credited with the rediscovery of Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde in Colorado and was responsible for initially selecting the term Anasazi, Navajo for ancient enemies, as the name for these ancient people. He also excavated Kiet Seel ruin, now in Navajo National Monument in northeastern Arizona, and Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.
Why is Richard Wetherill and his brother in-law discover the ancient Anasazi ruins o... significant?
Richard Wetherill (1858–1910), a member of a Colorado ranching family, was an amateur archaeologist who discovered, researched and excavated sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People.

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