The Elbert County tribune., 1916-09-08
UNEARTH RUINS
1000 YEARS old
Or. FeWkes Discovers Most An
cient Structure Known in
the Southwest.
BUILT BEFORE sun TEMPLE
That Building In Mesa Verde National
Park Was Inhabited Is Shown by
Household Utcnsils-Finds
Ancient War Club.

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 DIR.
Jesse Walter Fewkes of the Smithson-
ian institution.
Doctor Fewkes started to eXcavate
on July 20 a 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 93 feet wide
including plaza. The main building
contains large court and Mt least
three circular klvas, or ceremanial
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 fiourlshed at least
1000 years ago.
News of Doctor Fewkes' discovery
was brought to Denver by DIR. Elmer
Il. Higley, pastor of a church in Des
Moines. In. He takes a keen interest
in archaeological subjects, particular
ly those concerning the Mesa Verde,
on which he lectures. He was one
of the first to explore the cliff dwell
ing now known us Daniel's House,
which was explored for the first time
last summer.
Building a Distinct Type.
Doctor Fewkes has made wonder
full discovery this season in Mesa
Verde National park" said Doctor Hig-
ley He has uncovered n 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
visits the ruins has Munmy lake
pointed out to him.
There are nine large mounds near
Mummy lake and 1t Is one of these
that Doctor Fewkes has excavated this
season. Probably 1t will be late in
, September before the work Is complet-
ed The building Is rectangular L,
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 Tenn
pie, which probably was built ABOUT
1900 A. ID. 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 the
building was covered and was very
imposing.
about dozen men are working
on the building and all are keenly
Interested, 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 cayerns
in the cliffs. The buildings around
Mummy lake were 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 II
\ 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
/ Co., ,,,,rnoSa of dafansp Probably 81