FEWKES; RELATIONSHIP OF SUN TEMPLE 221 



architecture. Manifestly it is not necessary to excavate care- 

 fully and repair all these ruins, even if money were available for 

 that purpose. We need to determine, however, how many kinds 

 of ruins there are, and to get clearly in mind the essential features 

 of each kind, in order to discover culture groups of the prehis- 

 toric Southwest. The problem is not unlike that with which 

 the biologist has to deal, and which he has so well worked out in 

 biological textbooks. An intimate knowledge of the anatomy of 

 the starfish, crayfish, frog, cat, and other animals representative 

 of the groups to which they belong, respectively, makes it pos- 

 sible for the zoological student to get a good idea of the anatomy 

 of other members of these groups, the knowledge being gained 

 largely through dissection or through study of "preparations" 

 made by others. These animals serve as types. The same 

 method, with modifications, may be applied in the study of 

 Southwestern archeology, although from the nature of the case 

 preparations of types should be made, for beginners or even for 

 advanced students, by experts. 



A few of these type ruins already have been prepared for in- 

 spection and for study. The famous Casa Grande in the Gila 

 valley is a good example of a type ruin of the great house ruins 

 of that valley, while Cliff Palace and Spruce-tree House are ex- 

 cellent type ruins of cliff dwellings. Sun Temple seemingly rep- 

 resents a type of ruined buildings of a well defined prehistoric 

 culture area, and as a type will afford the student information 

 bearing on the architecture of other members of a group of ruins 

 one of the main features of which is a specialized building con- 

 structed for religious ceremonies. 



