The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-06-21
A FORGOTTEN RACE.

a FORGOTTEN RACE.
McEimO canon is one OF the widest
and most romantic canOns upon the
globe; but Of all its manifold attrac-
lions is the fact that part of South
western Colorado was once densely
peoplsd d with human beings, the an
cient ruins OF whose abiding places on
all sides are to be viewed with the SOL
emnity and awe one must feel at tine
uucovering of Pompeii. Commencing
explorations in the park-like valley OF
the Mancocs, between the Mesa aud
the mountains, the low benches which
border the stream upon either side
| bore faint vcstige of hasing, at some
very remote time, been covered with
dwellings, grouped apparently in com
muuities. "A little careful iDvestiga-
ton revealed foundations OF great
square blocks, also of single buildings
and circular Enclosures; the latter gen.
orally with depressed center, showing
excavation for some purpose. The
greater portion of the mound-like ru-
ins were so overgrown with artimisia,
pinion pine and cedar as to be almost
entirely concealed from casual obser-
vation. Sure indications of their
proximity, however, was the great
quantity OF broken pottery which COW
cred the ground in their neig hborhood
-curiousiy indented, painted,- and
glazed ware, unqnestionably Of early
Mexican origin. Not piece could be
found larger than q silver dollar, aud
all evidently broken up and scattered
about since the demolition OF the
homes of the makers. Entering the
canou at the upper end, grouped along
tions of former habitations very near
ly obliteratcd, and consisting mostly
in the first four or five miles, OF SINH
lar mounds TO those already referred
te, and accompanied always by the
scattered, broken pottery. Among
them one building was found of
square and carefully laid sandstone; !;
one face only exposed, of three or four
courses above the mass of debris which
covered everything. This building
lay within few yards of the banks
OF the stream, was apparently about
ten feet by eight, the usual size, as near
as could be determined, of nearly all
the separate rooms or houses in the
larger blocks, there being no houses
larger, and many not more than five
feet square. The stones exposed were
each about seven by twelve inches
square and four inches thick, those in
their original position retaining cor
rect angles, but when thrown down
worn away and rounded by attrition
to shapeless boulders. BEING SO ex-
posed to the elements, the cementing
material which bound the masonry
together was entirely worn away on
the surface, but on tearing away few
courses, it was found binding the rocks
together quite firmly. 1t was not,
however, anything but clay cement
Further up the canon, ruins were
found on all sides, the great majority
consisting of heaps of debris, with al
ways a central mass considerable
higher and mere massive than the sur
rounding lines OF subdlvided squares.
Square buildings, not more than eight
feet square, were often found stand
ing alone apparently; no trace of any
other being detected in the immediate
neighborhuod. Another peculiar fea
ture was now noted. To the right,
the long slopes Of prosruding strata,
and debris formed prOmOntOries eX
tending out into the canon. Upon
these, and not more than fifty feet
above the stream, frequent Indications
are found of their having been occu
pied by some sort of works, the toun-
datious of which, i'll every Case, were
circular, with Il deep depression in the
center, and generally occurring in
pairs, side by side, ranging from ten
TO twenty feet in diameter. No ma
sonry OF any kind was visible. but,
thickly s:rewn all about, any quantity
OF broken pottery. Above were
marked indications of habitations in
the face of the cliff. ~ Rocky Noun
tain Tourist,