Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-15
The American Cliff Dwellers.

From the New York Tribune.
The Pueblo or village Indians are scattered
over an area in New Mexico and Arizona stretch
ing from Taos, on the Rio Grande, south to Ysleta
Of Ell Paso, distance Of about 500 miles, and
in width about 400 miles. Within this area there
are now about thirty-four inhabited villages.
There are also the ruins Of thousands Of ancient
| villages and towns situated in the valleys OF
the streams, on the SUBMITS Of the Mesas
and many high up in the sides of the cliffs
and the walls of canOns. being carved out
like swallows nests. The ruins already known
are sufficient in number to furnish homes
for at least half a million persons, and
| were probably occupied by twice that number.
One noted instance of a carved-Out city is de-
scribed by Mr.. Stevenson, which must have been
the abode of at least 100000 souls. and which
| these explorations are believed to have first
brought to the knowledge OF the civilized world
Mr.. Stevenson first heard Of it from an old In
dian chief with whom he sat chatting in Spanish
one evening. The old man was apparently
| somewhat disinclined to be communicative. but
| finally, az if to put off further inquiry said:
| you wish to find old houses, do you? Well.
will show you some. They are about II miles
| from here"
| Mounted upon mules, the two started out and
| made their way toward range Of distant hills,
| from behind which lowered an extinct volcano.
AS they approached the foothills Mr.. Stevenson
| saw large numbers Of black spots in rows, re-
sembling swallows nests. upon the face Of a
cliff. He asked his companion what they were.
Houses" was the reply.
'NO. not those on top" said Mr.. Stevenson,
6 mean the black spots on the cliff.
Houses" reloined the old chief; "houses, 1
| tell you; very old houses"
The old man told the truth For 60 miles along
| the face of the winding cliff, except where the
elements had cut them away, these ancient cave
dwellings extended. two, three. four and some
| times five rows one upon another. Mr.. Steven
son examined this deserted city during several
days, personally visiting portions distant 45
miles from each other, and discovering with his
glass that the excavations extended Is or 20
| miles further on. BY far The greater number are
inaccessible. but many Of the old paths. worn
many inches deep by the feet of the an
clients who dwelt there. are intact. and by them
| the explorer mounted to the old dwellings.
Upon the top ofthe mesa, or table land above
these caves, there were found large circular
structures now in ruins. but with walls to the
height of 10 or 10 feet still standing. They
were evidently places of worship. They were
built of square stones Of nearly uniform size,
about 90 inches in length by six inches In
width and four in thickness cut from the
cliff. Measurements were made Of two Of
these structures, one Of which was 100 and the
other 200 feet in diameter, and might have
held from 1000 to 1900 people. The in
ference that these were places Of worship is drawn
from the fact that the Pueblos of the present day
who are fire and sun worshipers, have similar
temples The great age OF this city is proved
by the vast accumulation Of debris from the
upper portion Of the cliff. which covers its base
In places where mountain brooks have cut
their way through, the existence Of one and
sometimes two rows of cave dwellings below
tue surface Of the debris is disclosed, Mr..
Stevenson thinks that several centuries have
passed since this dead city was In its prime.