Tombstone epitaph., 1921-03-20
The Home Of A Long Forgotten Race

Viewed from a distance, the cluster Of buildings seems so tiny that it might almost he compared to a swal- lows nest: but the great height of the canyon wall. which at this point exceeded 700 feet. makes this ruin appear very small by comparison.
 There is something about the struc- ture that suggests the feudal castle. The walls are pierced by a number of port holes. which make every point of the floor of the canyon visible from the ruin. There are no large openings facing the canyon. which was evidently a precautionary meas ure to prevent an enemy from shoot ing arrows into the building. Not withstanding the great age of the building. the walls are almost perfect. This is apparently due to the location in which it is sheltered from the ter rife winds that sweep over the Painted Desert Silent. deserted. in scrutable it stands. monument to an ancient race whose past is shroudei in mystery.
 Directly below this structure, on the floor of the canyon. is another structure which was evidently the more imposing oi the two, hut which due to its exposed position, has crumbled until at present only T small portion of the walls are intact.
 One mile below the White House is the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto The latter is quite aptly named. a literal transla- ton being Canyon of the Dead. This canyon is quite narrow. it's width in some places being less than 900 feet The walls. which rise sheer 10 heights which exceed 1000 feet. are so smooth that they have the appearance of polished stone. In certain places they overhans as much as loo feet or more. The tortuous windinss of the canyon might be likened to the track of great serpent
 There is something awesoms abort this great chasm The colossal walls. the winding trails. which often bring the traveller face 10 face with uney- pected scenes. and the many ruins. ly- ing in silent mystery on every hand, give the visitor a feeling almost un- canny. Each turn of the canyon re- yeals ruins in plenty Most of ther, are in so perfect state of preserva. tion that it may he erorneous to call them ruins Few of them are accessi- bic. and most are built hundreds of feet above the floor of the canyon Many Of theses tructures were appar- ently built as lookout posts. or points of defense from which missiles could be showered upon an advancing en- emy.
 The first large ruin to he encoun- tered in Canyon del Muerto is known as Antelope Ruin, because of per feet drawing of an antelope which adorns the canyon wall directly be- hind the largest building IL is diff cult to estimate the original height of this structure. Three stories still stand above the ground. and there are rooms upderground which are filled with debris. IL is possible that the structure reached height which ex- ceeded five stories It might well he imagined that this was the first Am erican skyscraper. IL was undoubted- ly built by people who were in d fair state of civilization. 1t certainly was far superior to any of the build ings of the modern pueblo tribes. which fact seems to preclude the pos sibility of its builders being the fore bears of the modern Hopi Indians. A swastika. that symbol ancient and universal, is engraved upon the can yon wall just behind the smaller building.
 4 short distance above the ruin is a large cavern which extends to a con- siderable depth. There is large quantity of corncobs scattered over the floor. which would seem to indi- cate that this cave was used aS granary.
 Though Walls Have crunnbled. Out. line es buildings Still Remain.
 A mile above Antelope Ruin in h. scription Ruin. Scarcely any of its walls remain standing, but the out I;rxS of oil slo l,.:1z:--