New Mexico state record., 1920-11-19

out of the appropriations of the bu-
reau for a brief archaeological recon-
naissance in the Walhalla plateau
overlooking the Grand canyon. from
the last of April to the end of the
fiscal year. Neil NJ. Judd of the Unit
ed States national museum was de-
tailed for this work. He found re-
mains of prehistoric buildings plenti-
full along the route TO KaLab, Utah,
southeastward in the northern portion
OF the Kanab forest; at House Rock
valley, and in North, South and Sad
die canyons. These remains consist
usually of one, two and three-rOom
structures constructed of unwOrked
stone blocks. In many Instances the
placed on edge, their tops separating
the masonry of the roof. Clusters of
circular rooms, measuring from 4 10
10 feet in diameter, also occur. The
floors of these rooms are generally
covered with burnt earth or ashes,
mingled with clay that bears impress
sions of willows and grass, as if parts
of roofs similar to those of prehistoric
rooms observed along the Colorado
river in the San Juan drainage.
Cllf houses also exist In the breaks
bordering the Walhalla plateau, but
these are as rule small single rooms,
apparently cists for storage like those
built by the people who inhabited the
single-room houses in the open, some
what back from the rim Of the can
yOn. Many small artifacts were found
on the cliffs. but few fragments Of
pottery were reported.
In the Tonte Basin.
Dr. Walter Hough was detailed from
the National museum TO begin study
of the ruins of the Tonte basin, ii
country of great archaeological possi-
bililies situated between the valleys
of the Little Colorado and the Gila.
The result Of a brief examination of
the northern part of this region was
encouraging, showing the existence of
large ruins I'm the open as we'll as
cliff houses Of considerable size. Doc
tor lIough also made an examination
Of several important collections of ar
jfacts, some of which are unique.
and enumeration of the ruins visited
by him indicates promising field for
future research which il is the in
tention of the bureau to prosecute In
coming seasons.
DR.. !. Bushnell. Jr.. continuel the
preparation Of the manuscript for the
Handbook of Aboriginal Remains
East of the Mississippi" The intro
ductiOn, containing much matter treat
ing of sites, has been completed and
will be published In advance Of the
handbook. 1t contains valuable dis
cussion of the village sites and GENE
teries, treated in "A historical manner.
with reproductions of old prints and
maps. DR.. A. l.. Krocber has elabo-
rated certain portions Of the "Hand-
book of the Indians OF California" and
little remains To be done before il Is
ready for publication.
Study Of Indian Music.
The study of Indian music was con
tinued by Miss Frances Densmore
throughout the year. She has com
pletrd report on the Ute music, con-
sisting Of about $40 pages. and has
submitted new material on Ute, Man
dan and Chippewa music. Her ac-
count of the Mandan lIidatsa songs
contains 100 pages. A new feature
has been introduced in the study Of
the Ute melodies, where she has de-
vised diagrams consisting of curves
on n background of coordinate lines.
Miss Densmore's main studies have
been on ethnobotany of the Chippewa.
and include plants used In treatment
of the sick, and other subjects. The
general economic life and the indus
tries Of the people were also studied,
and she made AN extensive collection,
which she has photographed for use
In her publications. She has likewise
adopted the method of tone photo
graphs designed by DR. Dayton &. Mil
Ter Of Cleveland.
The beginning Of the fiscal year
found j. L. Harrington, ethnologis,.
In the field engaged in linguistic stud
les among the mission Indians of Ven
tura county. California. At the close
or this work Mr.. Harrington returned
To Washington and spent the following
months IN the elaboration of recent
ly collected material and his Tanon
and kiowl notes.
Mr.. Harrington has discovered II
genetic relationship between the ITO
AZtecnn, Tanoan and kiOwa Ian
guages. The last two are 50 closely
related that If the Kiowa had been
spoken in New Mexico IL would have
been classcd without hesitation by
early writer's as a Tanoan language.
he says. The Uto-AZlccan is more
remotely but not less definitely re-
lated Ia the Eiowa gcnetically.
bring the year DIR. John u. Swan
ton. ethnologist, devoted the greater
part of his time 10 "A study of three
languages formerly spoken on and near
the lower course of the Mississippi
river-the Tunica. Chitimacha and At
akapa tor Attacapa).
Counted the Telegraph Poles.