New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-02
separated localities, and evidently far from the


villages and towns. whereas he became convinced
from the great of broken pottery similar in all
respects to the specimens already well knOwn-the
potters and artisans of the past ages lived and
walked. In one locality, about forty miles south
west of the Navajo reservation in Arizona at the
ruins of town called Tallybogan, meaning in tue
Navajo dialect Singing House. there were found
a very large number of fragment of pottery stone
implements, and in some instances entire vessels,
similar in general features TO the scattered speci-
mems already collected, and many others which
differed both in form and OrnamentatiOn from any
previously known. The habits and customs of the
anclens were sufficiently disclosed by the researches
in number of the ruined towns, TO show striking
similarity 10 the habits and customs of the present
Pueblo Indians and to prove as Mr.. Stevenson
believes that the latter are the descendants of the
aboriginal inhabitants of the locality where they
now live. and from which they are fast passing
away. In nearly every household of the Pueblos OF
the present day the explorers found hoirl0O ms
articles of ancient pottery, household idols
which had descended from their direct ancestry of
time fur her back than any of the living could re-
member. These objects comprise jars bowls, ladies.
dIppers water vases, idols, arrowheads and many
iOf those found IN the debris Of ruined towns and
2villages bore decorations exactly similar 10 those
DOW used 10y the Pucblos
an area in New-Mcxico and Ariz stretching
from Taos on the Rio Grindc, south to Yseta, of
Ei Paso. distance of about 800 miles, and IN width
abott 400 miles. Within this area here are now
abort thirty-fOur inhabited villages. There are
alsothe ruins Of thousands of anGent villages and
toWas situated IN the valleys of the streams, the
summlts of the Mesas, and many high up in the
sides OF the cliffs and the walls of cauons, being
carved out like swallows nests. The ruins already
known are sufficient in number and Xtcnt 10 furnish
homes for NJ least half n million rsous, and were
probably occupied bv twice that number One
noted mStaRce Of n carvcd-out city is described by
Mr.. Stevenson which must have been the abode If
at least 100, 900 sous and which these explorations
are believed TO have Iigst brought to the knowledge
of the civilized world. Mr.. Stevenson first heard OF
1t from an old Indian chief with whom he sat
chatting in Spanish evening. The old man was
apparently somewhat dsincncd to he commun-
cativc but finally, if TO put off further inquiry,
said:
"Nou wish to find old houses DO YOU? Wei,
will show YOU some. They are about twelve miles
from here"
The weather was threatening on the next day
and the old chief could not be induced 70 art out
so Mr. Stevenson went eight or ten miles in the
direction indicated, and finding nothing of interest,
tho Ight he had been deceived. Two three days
laer the ol Indian sgnihcl hi, readiness 70 show
the way to the deserted city. Mounted upon mules.
the two started ont and made their way toward a
range of distant hills from behind which lowered
on extinct volcano. As they approached the foot
hills Nr. Stevenson saw large numbers of black
spots in rows resembling swallows nests. upon the
tace of a cliff lie asked his companion what they
were.
Houses" was the reply.
"NO, rot those on top" said AiT. Stevenson. IL
mean the black spots on the clif.'
"a Houses +" icjoned the old ch.ef, houses /
tell you; very old houses"
The old man told the truth. For sixty miles along
the face of the winding cliff, except where the
clements had cut them away, these ancient cave
dwelling, extended two, three four, an3 sometimes
live rows one above another. Mr. Stevenson ex-
amned this deserted city during several days, per-
,ontlly visiting portions distant forty-iye miles
from each other and discovering with his glass that
tho excavations extended fifteen or twenty mics
further on. BY far the greater number arc nacccSs-
ihle but many OF the old paths, many inches
deep by the feet IF the ancI nts who dwclt there
are intact. and by them the explorer mounted to
the old dwellings. There was a marked sim
ilarity in the form and con tUlctlnn Of
these excavations. There was only one aperture,
which served for door, window and chimney. The
single had oval roof, which bore the grooves
made by ne iutv adzrs axes OF the eXcavators.
The method OF digging or carving out these caves
was disclosed by che foam and direction of the
grooves, which were usually parallel to each other
and several inches apart, while between as shown
by the roneh slriac" OF the stone. the remainlhg
substance ha' been broken OH. mere were HIe-
places al 'oe rear ouI 10 place Oh eN. 'oi ne '"oh'
except 'he Si"N.c aperture III "'"''
Many Oh inc u" .l""'9 nad sue Ut I'"I
excavations o. Shai SIe' "'t"'l some oi
which cogn-coDS ana beans were louhe t|IoculY