Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-03-09
NEW LIGHT THROWN UPON
FIRST AMERICAN HOMES
BY RECENT DISCOVERIES

Ing oneself. hand under hand. until
one reaches a narrow ledge leading
% one end Of the cave.
This ledge leads between a great
rock and the face OF the cliff, and
the Balcony use dwellcrs we're
clever enough 70 web up the narrow
passageway. leayin- only d doorway
through which one has 10 crawl on
hands and knees. Above this door
way the guardians OF Balcony House
constructed loopholes slInting down
ward Standing at these ,oopholes
two archers could defend tie citadel
against all the invaders that could
swarm down the yucca ropes from
above. while the main body Of de-
lenders could busy themselves hurl-
ing stones on the heads OF any party
that tried TO ascend the main trail
from the bottom of the canyon.
II Is regarded a. certain that Bal
cory House was the last stand" OF
the Mesa Verde people Il is a better
built house than Clin Palace or
Spruce Tree House. other eff dwell.
inps OF the Mesa Verde that have
been lately restored by scientists. II
must have been OF later construction
that the other houses. and probably
Il served as the last resort OF the
Mesa Verde people in their fight
against their hereditary enemies.
In restoring Balcony House much
care had to be used by the scientists
engaged in the work, as the walls
were lettering and threatening TO
fall into the canyon below. These
walls we're supported with iron
braces The debris In the rooms and
klvas was cleaned out, and some Ct
the walls that had been rgzed by van
dals were partially rebuilt. The
uniquely fortified doorway was re
stored, and q rope was swung from
the top OF the cliff TO the ledge be-
low. so that one can Chamber down
ii he is athletic enough by using III.
same fCothOlos in the rock that were
worn by the ral.ony House people.
Some OF the caves which abound in
me cliffs in the Southwest were used
20. lpok0.s and also for ceromon-
BAD purposes One of these caves,
which was discovered In the Frjoles
Canyon Northern Sow Neyco, over
looks q vast ovnause OF country m
.s o.rc.lar Wyll-llka Nya or
ceremonial chamber So doubt
nierd ceremonies were wacieed .
herr. and 90 thp same time con-
slant watch was kept Tor enemies
hat might threaten the dvelers On /
he great community house below
The question. who were the |
enemies of these rcople2" is an in |
.eresting one. Probably the Apaches T.
and Navaios those fierce predatory |
OF the southwestern plains.
we're the hereditary foes of the cliff
ieople. In one or two Navajo legends
here are illusions 20 great battles
With the cliff dwellers From the
'unning methods of defense, which
nave recently been uncarthed by in
scientists. 1t is evident
hat the cliff people were well able to
held their own. II is probable thai
such citadels as the tower in Ruin
Canyon and Balcony House with
stood many assaults. ard that the
'avace Nayaios or whatever tribe at
tempted their capture. we're beaten
off with great loss. Tho gradual
Irving up of livint streams in the
southwestern CANYONS is thought to
nave had more to do with the aban-
ioning OF the cliff dwellings and
lueblos than any other cause pesti-
ence also must have made fearful
uroads among a people who lived In
iuch dark and confined quarters
War prayed It's part, however, and
he fortresses. lookouts and heavily
CERTIFIED dwellings would Indicate
hat these first Americans were
not without courage and skin as
warriors.