The Coconino sun., 1923-10-05
POTTERY CRAFT STARTED
BY THE CLIFF JEWELLERS

That he had obtained definite data
to prove that pottery making was an
art developed in the southwest, was
the announcement of Dean Byron
Cummings, head Of the recent archae-
ological expedition into the northern
part of the state. Archaeologists in
the past have debated the question of
the art, and many asserted that the
from other regions. BY the discov-
cry of an entire new village where
data was secured, the dean has
brought due justice and prestige to
the early inhabitants of this section
of the country.
This data was secured from the
"round house" peoples village, one
of three settlements unearthed by the
party during the past summer. The
village is located in the Kayenta val
ley and opens up new and earlier
chapter in presistoric culture Of the
southwest. These people have been
referred to as the "slab house" people,
but are called "round house" people
by the local noted Archaeological. Their
homes are built by making round
pit in the grounds. Slabs of rocks
are used to line the sides. The walls
are extended up and brush is used
ID making the top.
While a few types Of this structure
had been located before, no extensive
settlement had been located. Some
of the earlier types of this structure
had been located in caves. From this
settlement was obtained the material
showing that the inhabitants were the
originators of pottery. Their crude
attempts, at first, mark the develop
nient Of one of the greatest industries
of the early peoples. According to
Dean Cummings, they demonstrate
the gradual evolution of the culture.
1t was the cliff dweller, he says,
who brought the art to its finest
stage of development, and in several
of these settlements where excava-
tions were made, important and val
liable relics were secured. These
dwellers are known as the people who
developed the best types of pottery.
Most of the work of the party was
done on the slopes of Navajo noun
tain, where observations had been
made on other trips. The party had
hoped to make the trip to the west
ern side of the mountain, but dry
season there had made feed impossible
for the animals and the trip was a
hazardous one Ito make. They con-
fined their early work to Kinlichie or
"red house" as it is called. Early
traditions of the Pueblo Indians were
traced out here.
Later in the summer, the party at
tended the snake dance in the north
ern part Of the state. The dance was
an interesting supplement to their ex-
cavations, as they had been tracing
the early traditions of these people
and their snake customs.
From ruins in March Pass consider
able material was secured, and these
several hundred specimens are being
shipped to the Tucson museum. In
houses of one of these settlements,
corn in a we'll preserved state was
found. The buildings had caught fire
and the burning poles of the roof had
fallen on the stacked corn and cook
ed it sufficiently tospreserve it. The
mud of the house formed regular
oven or fireless cooker that treated
the corn SO as to preserve it. Several
skeleton remains were secured from
burying grounds located near the vii
liges.
The party, consisting Of number
Of Tucsonans, left the city early in
June. The remainder of the party, as
ii reached Tucson Friday evening, was
greatly reduced, many Of the party
leaving before the summer was over.
-o--
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