Later, the people built the third kiva and the tower over part of the earlier, trash-filled kiva. This is why we see only two kivas at this site today. From the size of the mound and the amount of rubble around it, Dr. Fewkes believed the tower once stood as high as the surrounding trees. Archeologists have found the remains of 57 towers in Mesa Verde. There are several theories about the construction of these towers.
Towers are circular and some are connected to kivas.
Many archeologists believe towers were ceremonial in use. Others believe they may have served as signal towers or as watchtowers. Perhaps the towers served as a place to observe the sun's position and keep track of planting and harvesting seasons or ceremonial cycles. This feature, excavated by the University of Colorado in 1969, may have been a man-made reservoir which provided water for the nearby villages. Archeologists have found evidence of collection ditches which would have filled the reservoir with the annual spring snow melt.