A PREHISTORIC VILLAGE ON THE ZUNI RESER- 

 VATION, NEW MEXICO 



By FRANK H. H. ROBERTS, JR., 

 Archeologist, Bureau of American Ethnology 



One of the most interesting groups of small house remains which 

 thus far has come to light in the Southwest was uncovered by the 

 writer in western New Mexico during the summer of 1930. The ruins 

 are located 16 miles northeast of the Indian village of Zuhi, on the 

 Zuni Reservation, at the juncture of Red Paint and Nutria canyons. 

 Three communal dwellings and two large ceremonial chambers or 

 great kivas comprise the cluster. Although numerous investigations 

 and extensive explorations have taken place in that region since it was 

 first traversed by Coronado and his adventurous soldiery in 1540, few 

 seem to have observed and no one has recorded the existence of these 

 particular ruins. They were virtually unknown to the white inhabi- 

 tants in the vicinity and most of the Indians were not aware of their 

 presence. In contrast to numerous other house and village remains on 

 the reservation, there is no Zuhi name for this group. 



That the ruins escaped notice for so long a time may be attributed to 

 their inconspicuous nature. Lying on the talus at the foot of a series 

 of low cliffs the stone and grass-covered mounds appeared, unless 

 closely observed, to be a part of the natural formation (fig. 154). 

 The writer found them while conducting a reconnaissance on the res- 

 ervation during the latter part of May. Their possibilities were so 

 alluring that steps were immediately taken to have the permit which 

 had been issued for another site changed to allow investigations at this 

 place. The Department of the Interior, upon the recommendation of 

 its archeologist, readily acceded to the request, and after a camp had 

 been established excavations were started. 



When the season was brought to a close late in September two of 

 the houses and a number of ceremonial chambers had been excavated 

 and three refuse mounds had been thoroughly explored for burials 

 (figs. 155, 156, and 157). The larger of the two houses had contained 

 64 rooms and 3 average size circular ceremonial chambers or kivas, and 

 had a great kiva joined to its southern side. South of the main build- 

 ing and completely subterranean in character were four more cere- 

 monial chambers. The smaller of the two structures had contained 



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