The copper era and Morenci leader., 1917-08-24
NEW FIND IN
 MESA VERDE
Far View House Unearthed. Upon Chaplin Mesa, Enlarees our Know ledge.
PUEBLO OF FORTY ODD ROOMS
First Excavation in Mummy Lake District Where Remains Exist of Large Prehistoric Irrigation Sys- tenn.

The visitor at the Mesa Verde Na- tional Park this summer will hay.1 rare opportunity to study the pI developments growing out of latest discoveries of Dr. J. Fewkes of the Smithsonian tion, who has begun, for the ment of the Interior, the exploration of the mounds of Mummy Lake. Far View House, whose excavation was we'll advanced at the close of last seasons work, opens up new phase in the history of this famous prehis- toric people. We are on the thresh- old of a great research" writes Dr. Fewkes.
 To understand the importance of the historical vista opened by the discovery of Far View House, it must be recalled that, previous to the discovery of Sun Temple in the sum- mer of 1915 the Mesa Verde ruins ap parently were confined to cliff dwell ings.
 Sun Temple. however, had been found under a mound on the top of the mesa and indicated phases of | Mancos civilization hitherto un- known. That it represented later development than Cliff Palace,
 
 celebrated cliff dwellings was suS- gested by it's more advanced ideas in l the arts of building and wall decor atiOn. That it probably represented the highest and latest phases of Mancos civilization seemed to be shown by the fact that this supreme building, the temple of the sun, God | of the MancoS, remained unfinished, even unroofed. The fact gave some color to the theory that it marked the close of the community life of this people.
 Prehistoric Irrigation. That was the situation when Dr. | FewkeS began last summer the eXca- vation of mounds found in the so, called Mummy Lake section of the Mesa Verde. These mounds also lie on the surface. They are upon Chap in Mesa, four or five miles north. of the splendid groups of cliff dwellings which nestle in the cliffs overlooking Spruce and Cliff Canyons. The gov Tree House passes it.
 What is known as Mummy Lake was never properly a lake, but res ervoir for prehistoric irrigation. The surrounding region was doubtless well farmed. The remains of the ancient ditches indicate a consider lable activity. It was one of the pueb los in this farming neighborhooG which Dr. Fewkes has uncovered anG named Far View House because of the extensive view it affords O the neighboring country. It was no the only farm country of the Mess Verde. Four or more areas similar ly cleared of prehistoric cedar for ests and possessing mounds exist il the national park. It will be seer that the civilization that led up t, and possibly ended in Sun Temple il much more extensive than was ono, supposed.
 The Mummy Lake clearing, nov dotted was sagebrush, is extremel. fertile; under irrigation it doubles yielded large crops. The region vii be found today veritable summe
 flower garden. Indian paint brusl and astorS color it wildly.
 Far View House, as it gradual, emerged from the sandy mound tha thikly covered it, proved to be large pueblo containing forty secula rooms and four circular ceremonia o kivas. It is two storied building . The rafters of the first story stil exist. There are indications of third story: the pueblo may hay contained fifty rooms