After arriving at Mesa Verde in the morning, we headed to Step House at the Wetherill Mesa section of the park. Step House is an Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwelling located underneath a large alcove. It closes somewhat early in the afternoon so we wanted to hit it first. Unfortunately, it is pretty hot there in the morning as it gets direct sunlight.
There wasn't anyone else there when we arrived except for a park ranger. He showed us a seemingly empty area - what was formerly a midden, or refuse pile. There were some interesting things there! There were many pieces of corn cob, well preserved as they were completely dry.
You could still see where the corn kernels would have been attached. There was also a stem from a pumpkin, a likely turkey bone, and pottery shards. Interesting items that you would never notice upon casual observation.