172 Field Museum of Natural History — Reports, Vol. X 



work was completed it was found that this large ceremonial structure 

 was in some respects different from other Great Kivas which have 

 been excavated. This kiva is forty-eight feet in diameter, has a 

 stairway on the north side only, and is furnished with one low 

 bench. A crude fire-pit, dug into the floor, is situated between the 

 two south pillars. The kiva contains no sipapu; that is, the small 

 hole usually found in the floor, through which spirits were believed 

 to enter and through which priests talked to them. 



The roof pillars are of masonry, and stand thirty inches above 

 the floor. All are the same height, and are level, smooth, and well 

 finished on top; therefore, it seems evident that they never were 

 built higher. Probably large upright poles stood on these pillar 

 bases. Three pairs of niches were found in the outer wall, one above 

 the other, on east, south, and west sides. A single niche was located 

 in the northwest quadrant, making a total of seven. All were un- 

 sealed and empty. 



A number of small beam (?) holes (from one to two inches in 

 diameter) were discovered in the outside kiva wall. These were at 

 varying heights, from eight to thirty inches above the banquette. 

 In each, burned or rotten ends of poles were found. Their function 

 is unknown. The vaults were crudely constructed, with earthen 

 floors and some masonry. 



Two extensive secondary sections of masonry were found: one 

 surrounding the two pillars and vault on the east side, and a similar 

 one on the west. The purpose of these is unknown. The kiva 

 floor, on east and west sides, is slightly higher than in the center, 

 and the supplementary masonry may have served as a retaining 

 wall for east and west platforms. 



The arrangement of peripheral chambers at Lowry differs from 

 that found in Great Kivas in New Mexico at Aztec and at Pueblo 

 Bonito in Chaco Canyon, for instead of being surrounded by small 

 rooms, there are only three peripheral chambers possessing masonry 

 walls. A large alcove-chamber containing a fire-pit was discovered 

 on the north side of the Great Kiva. The floor of this room is 

 about eight feet above the kiva floor. Into this room the north door 

 and stairway lead. Two more peripheral chambers were found, one 

 on the east side and one on the west. These are built with low, 

 fragile masonry walls and are smaller than the north alcove. 



It was surprising to find no continuous band of peripheral 

 chambers surrounding this Great Kiva. To be certain that no 

 mistake had been made, trenches were cut across the outer kiva rim. 



