The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-11-12
Curious Ancient Dwellings in Arr
Z0Ila,

A correspondent Of the Clcavcland Her
aid. writing from Arizona, Sept. 20, gives
nm account of very interestings obscrva-
tions made by party from the military
post Mt Camp Verde, In which vicinity
are found numerous caves In the hill sides
that were once occupied rs dwellings by a
race now extinct. The whole country be-
tween the "Sierra Pricta" and the "Moy-I
allon" ranges of mountains Is limestone
formation and full Of caverns, some of
which are quite extensive. All along tho
bluffs of the Rio Verde and Beaver Creek.
wherever these caves exist, they are found
to have been the dwelling places Of q race
of people which has long since passed
away, and about which not even mythol-l
ogy tells u tale; but 1t Is generally sup
posed that they are Of q very ancient char
acter. probably older than the Aztccs Of
Mexico. The observations made were In
the vicinity Of what Is known rs "Montc-
zumas Well" The writer says:
"All around tho well, In the high walls. |
were caves, which, too, had once been oc-
cupied, and, from their sheltered position, |
all remains nearly rs perfect to-day as
they were when abandoned, probably
hundreds of years ago. The openings
are built up with masonry through which
are left small entrances and loopholes for
protection. The walls overhead are black
cncd with the smoke of their fires, now SO
old that 1t will not rub of. The plastered
walls show the prints of their hands rs
plainly rs II they were made but yester-
day. Corn cobs, pieces Of gourds, mcscal
and seeds are found In the plaster, which
Is conclusive proof that they arc nm agri-
cultural pcople-and for similar reason
It is believed that they were manufact- |
uring people, rs good article of cloth
and pieces OF common twino have been
found In these caves. and which were pre-
served In tho same manner.
To-day we discOveredn u new cave which
no white man had ever seen before; II
was evidently the Gibraltar of this ancient
city-the name of which TO us Is forever
lost. Upon entering the great front room
In every direction were seen little rooms,
where inches In the rocks had been built
up with loopholed walls, forming rs II
were counterscarp galleries, rs interior
lines Of defence, imprcgnable to any ene-
my except starvation. Leading from here
are numerous passages which have not
been explored. One passage led down
into great chamber, at the lower end OF
which stream Of water was found, evil |
IDENTIFY branch Of the outlet TO the well.
Owing to the poor improvised torch that
we had, II was not deemed prudent to ex-
plore any of the passages leading from
this room.
These caves arc strange place to live
in; some of them are up almost perpen-
dicular walls of rock to considerable
height. And under extreme difficulties,
with an incredible amount of labor, they
have carried great rocks, immense tim
hers. and other building material, where
It Is almost impossible now for q man to
go.
Stone. metals upon which they ground
their corn, acorns, and mesquit beans,
pieces OF pottery, painted and glazed, nre
found cvcrywhere. II seems rs II every
inhabitable place teemed with life, and
that this country was once rs densely pop
ulated rs any OF the eastern States Of the
Union arc to-day.
The most perfect Of any Of these ruins,
and which Is In the best state Of prcscrva-
ton, Is In q cave on Beaver Greek, about
one mile and half from Camp Verde. II
Is In perpendicular wall Of rock, be-
tween two and three hundred feet In
height, and like all of the others, had Its
interior lines Of defence. Tho floors arc
constructed of small timbers
covered with straight sticks placed close
ly together, and upon this Is placed the
cement for flooring, usually six inches
thick. The upper floors seemed TO have
been constructed entirely for defence. A
wall breast high ovcrhangs the
whole structure. from which can be seen
the entire surrounding country. and from
It's giddy hight stone can be thrown into
The river. ono hundred and fiify feet be-
low.
The excellent state Of preservation of
The wood and materials used In these caves
Is due 10 their sheltered position and the
Ilry, hot climate of the country. Were II
not for this, nothing would have been
known of these people. q, everything PR
ishnblc which has been used In tho con-
,truction of these houses has dccaycd
whenever II has been exposed to the
H
Much has been said Of these ruins, and
many spcculations have been made rs to
Ihc builders; hut Il Is nll speculation, rs
no one knows who they WERE"