The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-07
THE ANCIENT pUEBL0S.
REMARKABLE DISCOVERIES IN AN
ARIZONA VALLEY.

Fruitful Work Of tho Hemenway Expedi-
Cushing de OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Of AN Ancient American Race.
In n quiet and un2retentious but persistent
mauIer there mas teen going on for some
thing more than a year. in the desert lands
of Arizona, a work Of exploration and scien-
tifc Investigation that, by reason of the
peculiar field entered upon, the originality Of
methois adopted in its prosecution, and the
importance OF the results that are being at
tanned, Is destir.ed u rank among the fore
most enterprises Of its Kind that the world
has known.
The original Investigations pursued by Mr.
Frank 4 Cushing among the Zgni Indians
about seven years ago have now become
matters Of history, and their great value
from an archaeological point of view has
long ago been recognized by scientists in all
parts Of the world Mr. Cushing settled
among these Indians, became one Of them By
adoption, was initiated into their sacred rites.
and gave years To a thorough study from the
inside OF the history OF these people as shown
IN the traditions that had been handed down
from generation 10 generation, and in the
forms and ceremonies of their mysterious
ritualstic societies.
WOMAN'S ENTHUSIAsI.
His work attracted the attention Of Mrs
Hemenway, who had long been interested in
the Indian people, and she recognized the i'm
po-tancc Of having, for the first time in this
country, special cultus studied and an an
cieDt civilization rehabiiitated aud brought
within the scope of modern nyestigation
Happily endowed with wealth. She came %
the assistance Of Mr.. Cushing, and with cor
dial sympathy and enthusiasm organized The
expedition that hag been 50 effectively and SO
modestly working.
For over Il yenr, then. this expedition has
been hard at work excayating and collecting.
and the fruit OF this long period OF labor Is
now on is way eastward. 1t comprises sew
erai thousand specimens of pottery, domestic
utensils shell work, ornaments. stone imple-
ments, Skeletons etc. A few OF the skeletons
viii be deposited in the Army Medical mu-
scum at Washington, but the collection prac-
tically Ia its entirety will come to Salem.
What final disposition will be made Of it
l. not yet determined Professor Edward
: Morse, Of Salem, has from the outset been
deeply interested IN this unique enterprise.
He has Just returned to his home after soy
eral weeks spent in the camp Of the cxpcdi-
ton, whittier be went on a special tour to ex-
anime the field of work
CAMP HEllENwAY.
Tho country which was selected for ex.
plorGtion aud excavation does not offer
many allurements in the way Of comfortable
living. The heat is intense, the dust is stif.
ling. the water Is warm and muddy, and the
baneHl ny Is numerous The expedition has
camped about ten miles from the city OF
Temp. s. T. In and about Tempe are
abundant indications of n tropical climate IN
tree, varieties Of cacti, and vegetation gen
orally The valley in which Camp Hemen.
way is situated is a broad. Level expanse.
smooth as parlor floor, hard and dry and
variegated With lunches Of sage brush. the
mesquite, scraggy trees, and beautiful
flowers. For twenty five miles this tlat sur
face stretc - away, and a carriage could he
driven anywhere over it, The soil is light
and dry. and all about little wh.rlwinds of
dust are seen moving along. The fauna and
the fora are OF semi tropical character.
Camp Hcmcnway consists OF several com
modious tents pitched about quadrangle
a few small trees try in vain to give shade.
u iia'- waves from q tall staff. and at a dis
lance Il dozen mules arc tied. Far away
mountain ranges shut in the valley. The
quadrangle j. roped about, and on the smooth
earth floor stone implements of various kinds
are arranged IN groups awaiting classified
ton In several large tents rudc tables and
shelves hold specimens of pottery. Excava-
tions have been made far and near. About
the camp and temples houses, graves and
communal ovens have been uncovered, until
the life OF this ancient people stands revealed
as plainly as though the record had been
written down IN words.
CLUSTER OF CITIES
1t appears that this valley in which the
camp is, as well rs other valleys throughout
that section Of the country, was centuries
ago the home Of a large population, which,
from the general character Of the dwellings
which have been eXhumed has been esti-
mated 10 have reached in this vicinity alone
probably not shore Of 100000 individuals.
The houses or these people were Dullt IN
groups OF cities, only the mereSt traces OF
which now remain The buildings, it is sup
posed were overwhelmed by earthquakes,
after which the disintegrating elements re-
duced them to dust, 50 that now nothing is
left but low mounds, i'll defined heaps OF
earth. and irregular lines of old canals.
Once this valley sustained q cluster of
cities situated several miles from each other
Between the cities the work Of agriculture
was carried on, and traces Of an elaborate
system of irrigatiug canals have been found.
These canals run IN every direction, and they
turned the dry desert into a Aourishing and
productive garden spot One canal mas been
traced seventeen miles. another ia a neigh
boring valley seyenty-nine miles, and there
are others Of even greater length. In their
construction these public works represented
what must have been then an almost incred-
ible smount Of labor They were built ter
raced, 50 that water would be retained in
thorn all the year, and their surface walls
were baked until they were almost water
proof by burning brush piled upon the pud-
died. and plastered mud that formed their