Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1908-09-28
WONDERS OF THE
CLIFF DWELLINGS
Pajarito Park a Re.
gion of Hoary
Antiquity
INTERESTING DISCOVERIES
Dr.. Hewett, Tells of Results
Of Recent Archaeological
Research There.

Research There.
A thousand, or two thousand years
ago, or perhaps, contemporaneous
with Ur and Nineveh, there flourish
ed twenty miles west of Santa Fe,
in the lower Rito de los Frijoles
Canon, an interesting community, or
rather group OF populous pueblos
that had attained as high degree
of culture as the Pueblo Indians of
today, in fact, must have been far
ther advanced in some respects, for
they supported thousands where
dozen Pueblo Indians would find it
difficult to make a living, and some
of the pottery and instruments that
they left to puzzle future generations
of another and superior race, are
more artistic and possess better
finish than the wares manufactured
by the Pueblos of today. Such were
the conclusions that forced them
selves upon those who were fortunate
enough to hear DR.. Edgar l.. Hewett,
director of the American School
of Archaeology, on Saturday
evening in the supreme court room
at the capitol, as he told of the dis
coveries made by his party of arch
geological students during the past
few weeks. He himself did not pre-
sent these conclusions; he has grown
more cautious, more conservative,
during the past six years, is more
thoroughly imbued with the scientific
spirit that rejects all theories until
there is irrefutable proof to support
them. He told of the remarkable
discoveries calmly, difpassionately,
almost coldly, advanced no theories,
presented mo conclusions, told @Only
the bare facts, which In themselves
are SO wonderful that all those who
heard, marveled, facts which will
prove of such intense interest to the
scientific world that 1t will hasten to
bestow even greater honors upon
Director Hewett than he has at.
tanned in the past, and of which the
comforting Of the degree of Doctor
Of Social Sciences by the University Of
Geneva is only one of many.
Hoary Antiquity.
The great age of this prehistoric
civilization brought to light within
sight of Santa Fe is attested by the
fact, that decided climatic changes
have occurred since it flourished, and
by other evidences less convincing to
the lay mind, but conclusive to the
archaeological student. That this
civilization was rudely displaced by
some conquering tribe or tribes from
the north seems apparent, and upon
these facts may be based the logical
theory that these ancient, prehistoric
people retreated before their foes to
Mexico, Central America and perhaps
Peru; that the nomadic invaders bore
away some in captivity and learned
from their captives their arts, and
that admixture of the blood of the
captives with that Of their captors
produced the Pueblos. This is not
Professor Hewett's theory, at least
he did not express 1t thus, but it is
fascinating and must suffice until
more light Is thrown upon the subject
by just such work as Professor Hew.
ett and his party accomplished this
summer under the auspices, or rath-
er on behalf of the Santa Fe Archae.
illogical Society.
"A Wonderfully Interesting Region.
The supreme court room was well
filed with an audience that repre-
sented the more thoughtful portion
OF Santa Fe society, the men and wo
men of culture who have live inter
est in the deep problems presented
by the ruins and remains Of genera
. tions that have lived and vanished
in this particular part Of the south
west. Upon large tables were spread
out photographs, drawings, charts
and plans, which gave vivid impres
sions Of the Rito de los Frijoles, Its
ancient people and the remains thai
they left upon the sands Of time
Some Of these will form part Of the
Santa Fe archaeological exhibit al
albuquerque during the next two
weeks and will bring home to thu
many visitors to the Irrigation Con
gress that almost within stones
throw Of this city lies the most won
derful region In all OF the United
States, and In some respects In all o
America, equaling in interest ever
the valley Of the Nile, Of the TigriI
and the Euphrates and Of the Tiber
Judge John r. McFie, president o
the Archaeological Society, intro
duced Professor Hewett with well
chosen words and the latter wa
soon In the depths Of Ills subject