Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-10-05
EXPLORING THE
CLIFF DWELLINGS
ExcavationsinPa ala.
rito Park Only
Begun
YEARS OF WORK AHEAD
Director Hewett Discusses
Work and Plans of Arch
geological Institute.

On closing up the archaeological
work of the season in Pajarito Park
recently, Director Of American Arch.
aeology Edgar l.. Hewett, spoke free
ly to New Mexican representative OF
the past seasons work in the south.
western field by the Archaeological
Institute of America. Among other
things he said:
"Old Puye, which has been the
scene of our work in New Mexico this
year, is wonder. We excavated 1870
rooms in the south house. completely
clearing out the debris and preserv-
ing every wall, doorway and fire.
place. AS it stands exposed today it
Is the most instructive ruin in the
southwest with the exception of Casa
Grande in Arizona, lately excavated
by DR.. j. Walter Fewkes. | hope the
people of Santa Fe will not fail to
visit 1t and make it widely known.
Aside from the charm O. the old ruin
itself, now opened up SO that it can
be at least partly understood, it is
worth all it costs in time and expense
to 60 out there and look upon the pam
Drama of mountain and valley to be
seen from the Puye mesa. The view
includes the mountains on both sides
Of the Rio Grande from far north of
Taos to Albuquerque, such sweep
of characteristic southwestern seem
cry as can be found in very few
places. 1t is simply indescribable,
and in all the Southwest there is no
more ideal camping place than in the
Santa Clara canon, (thrty minutes
walk or fifteen minutes horseback
ride north of the ruins), unless 1t be
in the Rito de los Frijoles, twenty
miles south. Visitors can drive clear
to the ruins and in case of one day
trip out from Espanola this is prefer
able. But by all means advise travel
ers to go for more than one day, camp
ing In Santa Clara canon among the
great pine trees where the water is
perfect and wood abundant and every
attraction of outdoor life exists in per
fection. There are capable and abso-
lutely reliable Indians to be had at
both Santa Clara and San Ildefonso,
ideal woodsmen who know the ruins
the trails, who can cook and manage
a camp to the satisfaction of any one
and whose services can be had for
a most modest compensation.
Excavations at Puye Just Begun.
"The excavations at Puye are not
one quarter finished. 1t will take sew
eral years to complete the work. The
old ruin is turning out surprising
amount of material which will go far
to enrich our knowledge of the an
cient culture of the Southwest. 1t has
already produced about 5000 speci-
mems illustrating the life, habits, in
dustries and religion of the people.
From the study of this material and
the ruin itself, with its surrounding
kivas, burial places and cliff houses,
We shall be able gradually to restore
the picture of ancient life in New
Mexico as 1t existed centuries ago,
unchanged by any foreign influence.
For the means to carry on the ex-
cavations at Puye we are indebted to
the Southwest branch of the Archaeo-
logical Institute which has its head
quarters in Los Angeles. OF this
branch Charles F. Lummis, whose
name is a household word every
where in the Southwest is secretary
and leading spirit. The branch has
over 400 members and it's affairs are
directed by a board of the leading
men and women of that city, who for
public spirit, enthusiasm and ability,
can hardly be matched. They are
building what is destined to be one of
the great museums of America. Most
Of the material received this year at
Puye will go to their museum. How
ever, large amount will be stored
III NEW M0AlCU tuu uIiuACu lol GA
change and for the benefit of other
museums.
Santa Fe Should Be Made Central
Depository.
"The question of how New Mexico
and her institutions can arrange ia
participate in the benefits of these
researches has been much discussed
here and am prepared tc
say that If your people main
tain their present interest and
enthusiasm, the question is easily an
swered. No other citizen of New
Mexico is more unwilling than an
to see all the archaeological riches
Of the Southwest disappear from the
soil which produced them, and
need not be so I know l can speal
for our Southwest branch, even IN ad