New-York tribune., 1896-08-26
CLIFF DWELLINGS SHOULD BE GUARDED.

Professor r. Mitchell Prudden. writing of
visit TO the deserted homes Of the Cave Dwellers
of New-A1cxico and Arizona in "Harper's Maga-
zine" makes a suggestion worthy of the serious
consideration of the Government. He points
out that these remains are at present the prey
of every curiosity hunter and ignorant mcddlcr
who NAV care to take the trouble to visit them
and dig for plumber. He advocates the setting
apart of the sites of all these ruins for National
Park PURPOSES and the establishment of rigid
restrictions against despolng them. Places of
natural beauty have been reserved with n lib
era hand against the pncrOachmcnt of settlers.
and such action gives an excellent precedent for
setting apart the small tracts where exist in
remarkable state of preservation relics of pre-
historic man. which are Of the highest value to
scientists.
In the ease Of the present National parks large
tracts are Withdrawn from the industrial service
of man and wisely withdrawn. The reservation
of the Cliff remains would not by one cent dimin-
ish the wealth of the country These ancient
towns are in the walls of canyons, and in other
barren and unproductive spots They are visit
ed solely by the student the tourist and the
relic hunter. Generally the relic hunter is some
unlcarnrd person. who does not know the true
the ground he digs and learn something from it,
and is as likely TO spoil relic while hunting for
il as TO get it out in good condition Then the
things found are not kept together. or even kept
at all where they can he of use TO archacoo-
gisS They are scattered about. priced rs mere
ly curious relics by most of those who acquire
them 1t amIlscs n traveller 10 take home Il
bowl or a sandal from the Clln Dwellings rs a
,l,., l,,,t ti,a
scattering Of these pieces over mantpl shefs
from Maine to California is an irrcparablc in
Jury 10 science These remains belong To the Ma
lon; they should he preserved To H. The houses
rs they now stand should be protected nobody
bul competent explorers should be permitted TO
mcddlc with them. and a articles found should
be- preserved among the National possessions
and kept together for purposes of study.
European nations carefully guard their archae-
ological treasures. Greek and Roman lombS are
not rined by every barbarian with pick and
shovel VIII may desire relies. Pompcli is a
Government reservation. and the treasures found
there are preserved for the benefit of the whole
world of historians We have no PomprI. but
we have n more intricate problem than the rN-
animation of the way 'of living Of the conicm-
porarics Of plny. Long before Columbus came
there were races IN this country who bull cities.
praciscd agriculture and had m ART of their
own. Their origin is shroudrd in mystery. The
Old World offers no more fascinating field for
! speculation The Cliff Dwcller belonged to one
of these earl, races. Ills civilization was that
of the Stone Age. Owing 10 the dry climate IN
which he dwrlt. his homes have been marvel
lousy preserved. Five hundred years work less
destruction there than century might else
| where He has left rs archaeological treasures
| the value of which cannot bc computed I'LL the
| trained scientist has had full opportunity Ia
study them. lie should not be deprived OF that