American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-02-24

people Of different stock from tsat Of
Cliff Palace? IL It the WORT Of = mi
eratory band that entered the region
from the valley surrounding Mesa
Verde, or was It Eudlt by an alien peo-
pie not closely allied to those Of Cliff
Palace, but more like Pueblos Of New
Mexico? The difference between the
architecture Of Sun Temple and that
of the neighboring cliff dwellings and
its similarity in form to some Of the
ruins in the Chaco canyon, N. Mex,
would seem TO lend some support to
the theory that the builders we're
aliens, or c~ulturally different from
cliff jewellers.
This theory seems to be untenable,
for where did these incoming aliens
live while building IT? How could they
work there unmolested!
The Mystery Of the Builders.
1.-THE argument that cliff jewellers in
the neighborhod built Sun Temple
and that incoming aliens had nothing
to do with its construction seems to
very strong. The architectural diff
ferences between 1t and Cliff Palace
are not objections, for the architec-
tural form Of Sun Temple may be re-
garded as q repetition, In the open, OF
a form of building that developed in a
cliff house; the rounded north wall
conforms with tine rear of a cave ana
the straight south wall reproduces the
front of a cliff dwelling. The recess
midway in the south wall Of Sun Tenn
pie could be hkened without forcing
the comparison to a similar recess
which occurs at the main entrance in
to Cliff Palace.
Sun Temple was not built by an
alien people but by the cliff jewellers
as a specialized building mainly for
religious purposes. and, so far as
known. is the first o. its type recog-
nized In the Mesa Verde area.
II am confident that the group of
mounds, around a circular pueblo now
called a reservoir and known as
Mummy Lake, and the great mounds
near 1t, will furnish a key to unlock
this mystery, for these show evidences
of having been inhabiteo and II their
ground plans resemble that of Sun
Temple, they must be akin to it."
DIR. Fewkes took special pains to
protect the wallis from the action OF
ice and frost by covering the upper
surfaces with small stones over which
he laid a roof of adobe, and over all
a cap Of Portland cement, into which
he set a series of stepping stones for
visitors who desire to walk on top.
Pot Hunting Among American Ruins.
In this connection he makes this
significant statement:
TOO strong language car not be
used In depreciation of the butchering
of architectural features Of our south
western ruins by pot hunters, either
private individuals for gain or repre-
sentatives of institutions under the
name of scientific research"
Mesa Verde National Park as q Mecca.
This remarkable discovery marks in
his opinion, merely the beginning of a
still more remarkable development.
"The Mesa Verde" he says, "is
unique in its educational appearance
II is destined ultimately to be a MEGA
for all students Of the prehistory OF
the southwest and an object lesson to
all visitors who wish to see the best
preserved buildings of pre-Columbian
times in IL country. 1t is self-evident
that the excavation and repair of all
the ruins in this park can not be ac-
complished in a few years, even were
II desirable to attempt it; the work
means many years of ardous devo-
ton, intelligently directed, and a large
sun of money. II is desirable to open
up these precious remains Of antiquity
carefully. following a definite plan,
availing ourselves of method acquired
by experience. The work should be
done with care and 1t will be an addi-
tional attraction II visitors can see
how the work is done.
Three good representations Of the
type OF ruins called cliff dwellings
have already been excavated and re-
paired. viz: Cliff Palace, Spruce-Tree
House. and Balcony House. to which
I have this year added another OF the
same type. viz: Oak-Tree (wflow)
House.
Although we have always thought
of the ruins OF the Mesa Verde as Cliff
dwellings the work this summer has
greatly broadened our ideas OF the
architecture. and hence the culture OF
the aborigines of Mesa Verde.
There has been brought to light a
new type, which Is a new attraction
and adds a new zest to the study. Two
or possibly three other types await the
shovel and pick of the explorer, plead.
ing for their turn. The great mounds
near Nanny Lake, which itself is