Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1901-08-14
THE COMMUNAL
BUILDINGS
The Ruined Pueblos and Cliff and
Cave Dwellings West of
Santa Fe.
WERE OCCUPIED RECENTLY
Some Rational Theories as to tlA Origin
and the History of the Many Ruins to
bs Found West of the
Capital.

| In "NaSby in Exile in Rouen the
professor is kept in state of constant
ecstacy over the venerable antiquities
while Mr.. Tibbits contemptuously ex-
claims: Antiquity! What do you know
about it?'' Standing before the old Gal
| lie Cathedral this blunt traveller sad
| ut is tolerably ancient, but if you want
! to visit really old country go to Wis
consin. That is so old that everything
of this kind has disappeared entirely"
According to Mr.. Tibbits' logic no
great antiquity can be ascribed to the
existing prehistoric ruins of New
Mexico. !,
The writer of this article will confine
himself almost exclusively to what
might properly be termed the Rio
Grande district; meaning thereby that
portion Of the Rio Grande basin inclu-
ded between San Felipe on the south
and San Juan on the north and includ-
ing the lower basin of the Chama river.
AS several of the most conspicuous
ruins of the district have been amply
described by various writer's T will not
enter upon any lengthy descriptions
but proceed to give the reading public
some facts CLEANED and some conclus-
ions reached as the result of careful in
vestigations extending over period of
six years. The most fatal enemy to
truth in this specific field of investiga-
ton is pre-conceived theories. A man
investigating for the purpose Of demon
strating some pet theory had better be
in some other business, for he is sure to
be blind to the truth. This explains the
fact that some good men have advoca-
ted abominable theories. Dishonest
taking is scarcely less detrimental and
certainly more to be deplored. The man
who gulls the public by deducing argu-
ments to prove that the cliff dwellers
belong either to the Eocene or Tertiary
period is either dishonest scoundrel
or an ignoramus whose state of mind
borders on imbecility.
THE THREE BEST KNOWN RUINS.
The three best ruins of this district
are the Puye, Pajarito and the Old Co
chiti, all of which were known to, have
been occupied in the 18th century. Pro-
fessor A. F. Bandelier says: '"rhe main
settlements of the Telmas stood on the
west side Of the Rio Grande and con-
sisted of not less than ten villages. On
ly one of these remains to sight.
Santa Clara (Capo). The pueblos of
"Troo-Maxia- -qui-no' (Pajaritos) "Ca-
mitria," "Quiotraco" "Axol," June
tre," etc., are found in ruins. 1t will
doubtless be urged that the informa-
ton furnished by Bandelier may be at
fault. The result of recent investiga-
tions go to substantiate his statements.
These ruins have furnished nothing to
prove a higher civilization than that Of
the present Pueblo Indians. The me-
tates and lamamos used for grinding
cereals are identical with those in use
today. With few exceptions the pot
terry is Of the same grade. Modern pot
terry makers have made some improve
ment in the way of decorations but
have gained nothing in quality. An
occasional piece Of pottery decorated
in salt glaise and Of far superior quail
ty to the common run of pottery only
proves that they traded with like races
in Mexico where this superior work
was done. Buckskin leggings, bas-
kets, beads for neck wear, sandals and
bits of cotton cloth and wooden blank
cts form beyond doubt signs of civil
ization similar, yes identical, with the
house building Indians of New Mexico
of today. The similarity of the con-
struction of these ruins to existing
pueblos Is very marked. This phase Of
the subject however has been thor
oughly discussed.
THEIR ANTIQUITY.
What of their antiquity? We cannot
even say of these ruins: '"They are toll
erably ancient" for they are compara-
lively modern. Everything is in evil
dence on this point. Iron spear points
of the old Spanish type, several iron
bars and the remains Of an old mule
shoe taken from these ruins found on
the floor of the rooms together with the
furnishings Of the room are prima fa-
Gle evidence Of Spanish occupation,
prior to their destruction. Cedar and
spruce wood fully exposed to moisture,
yet in a perfect state of preservation,
says: mot many centuries ago, master
was here and danced to the music of
the drum and fife." What stories have
the skeletons to tell? Listen: my per-
feet state Of preservation not more
than three feet under cover, subjected
to changes most trying; now dry and
parched, now bathed in moisture, oc-
casionally touched by frost, condemns
me when I demand reverence on ac-
count of age. To tell the truth it does
not seem long since heard the war
captain as his sonorous voice sang out
'Hah-Tah oe-wuntoo-h1ahk Mah-ee
kah' and strained each nerve at the
sound of 'Ah-qua-mi- -ahm.' Certainly
not more than ten or twelve genera
tions have come and gone since an ar
row from the how of an ADacha sent