Observations on the Teeth of Pueblo and Cliff 



Dwellers 



By Dr. F. M. Palmer. 



During the seasons, 1905-6, it was my privilege to make 

 an examination and exploration of certain pre-historic ruins 



characteristic of the great plateau country lying in the south- 

 western part of the United States. 



As a result of these researches, observations were made and 

 opinions tentatively formed, that may. possibly, he held of 

 .value as supplemental to what has previously been recorded. 



An investigator in this held is at once impressed by certain 

 features characterizing the skeletal remains of its ancient in- 

 habitants. 



His attention is first arrested by noting a pronounced ab- 

 normality, in form, of the crania — a malformation produced by 

 an artificial flattening of the occiput. The prevalence of mark- 

 ed lesions, and irregularity in arrangement of the teeth, also 

 differentiate the remains of these people from similar remains 

 of other races by whom they were surrounded. 



The condition of these organs challenge attention, and in- 

 vite investigation as to probable cause. 



I propose to briefly discuss these conditions. Before doing 

 so. however. 1 invite your attention, for a moment, to a con- 

 sideration of the topographical features of the country in which 

 these explorations were made, and to the civilization evolved 

 by the ancient Pueblo and Cliff dwellers. 



The bibliography treating of these subjects has dealt with 

 them so exhaustively that an epitomized statement will answer 

 the purpose of this discussion. 



A territory of more than 150,000 square miles constitutes 

 the area of occupancy by the people we are considering. It 

 is very largely of forbidding aspect, except to those who love 

 nature best when face to face with its wildest presentation. 



The most conspicuous features of the landscape are rugged 

 and blackened mountain ranges, measureless stretches of blis- 

 tering yellow sand, barren mesas, appalling chasms, and stu- 

 pendous cliffs of fantastically colored sandstone. 



Devastating winds, torrential rains and cloudbursts, seis- 

 mic shocks and volcanic eruptions, have here wrought upon 

 the earth's crust an imperishable record of their power. 



The forestation of its mountains, a sheltered nook here 

 and there in its canons, an occasional valley redeemed by the 

 vivifying influence of spring, or mountain stream, is all that 



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