The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-09-21
uNEARTn RUINS
1000 YEARS Old
Dr.. Fewkes Discovers Most An.
cient Structure Known in
the Southwest.
BUILT BEFORE sun temple
That Building In Mesa Verde National
Park Was Inhabited 70 Shown by
Household Utensils-Finde
Ancient War Club.

Ancient war CI0os
! Denver, Cola ruin more than
1000 years old-the most ancient Of
all the ruins discovered in the south
west-has been unearthed in Mesa
Verde National park, Colorado, by DR..
Jesse Walter Fewkes of the SmithsOp-
ian institution.
Doctor Fewkes started to excavate
on July 20 large mound five miles
from Spruce Tree camp, on top of the
mesa. He has made sufficient prog
ress to show the outlines of a huge
building of the pueblo type of architec-
ture, 112 feet long and SO feet wide,
including plaza. The main building
contains a large court and at least
three circular kivas, or ceremonial
chambers.
Doctor Fewkes says the building is
much older than Sun Temple, which
he excavated in Mesa Verde National
park last year. In fact, it is by far
the Oldest building uncovered in the
southwest, and shows that the people
who inhabited Mesa Verde National
PARK must have hourished at least
1000. years ago.
News Of Doctor Fewkes' discovery
was brought to Denver by DR.. Elmer
E. Higley, pastor Of a church in Des
Moines, Ia. He takes keen interest
in archaeological subjects, particular.
~ those concerning the Mesa Verde,
on which he lectures. He was one
Of the first to explore the cliff dwell
ing now known as Daniels House,
which was explored for the first time
last summer.
Building q Distinct Type.
"Doctor Fewkes has made wonder
fful discovery this season in Mesa
Verde National park" said Doctor Hig.
ley. "He has uncovered new type
Of building. The ruin which is now
being uncovered is situated about thir.
ty rods south Of the large circular res
ervoir known as Mummy lake, which
is close to the automobile road leading
to Spruce Tree camp. Everyone who
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pointed out to him.
"There. are nine large mounds near
Mummy lake and it is one of these
that Doctor Fewkes has excavated this
season. Probably it will be late in
September before the work is complet.
ed. The building is rectangular in
shape and the masonry work is not so
good as that in Sun Temple, which Doc
tor Fewkes excavated last year. Doc
tor Fewkes is Of the opinion that the
building which is being excavated this
season is much older than Sun TEN.
pie, which probably was built about
1900 A. D. The building on which
he is now working evidently was in.
habited. while Sun Temple was not.
The workmen are finding broken pot
terry in great quantities and household
implements as well. Evidently tho
building was covered and was very
imposing.
"About dozen men are working
ON the building and all are keenly
inter. >ted, feeling that valuable dis.
coveries may be made at any time. The
building represents distinct type, en-
tirely different from the cliff ruins,
themselves, which are built in caverns
in the cliffs. The buildings around
Mummy lake We're built in the open
much on the lines of modern struc-
lures. The building being uncovered
commands view for many miles in
all directions, and for this reason it
has been suggested that the ruin be
named Prospect House.
Finds Ancient War Club.
"As is the case of Sun Temple, the
walls Of this building are two or three
feet thick. Double walls extend all
the way around the building, probably
for purpose of defense. Probably q
roof will be put over this building,
but it is the intention to make the Gov.
eEing strictly modern and not to at
tempt to conform to cliff dwellers or
mesa dweller type.
1T is Doctor Fewkes' intention to do
come work this season on Mummy
lake, which has been the cause of much
speculation. 1t is the general opinion
that Mummy lake was a reservoir sup
plying water to the group Of buildings
in the immediate vicinity and perhaps
part Of an irrigation system. The
mound is circular and has depression
in the middle. The structure covered
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