l6 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 82 



same factor entered into the construction of other pueblos, as it un- 

 questionably did, it might be possible to locate the most recently built 

 rooms of a given pueblo by an examination of its periphery with 

 respect to topographical surroundings. 



ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES 



Inasmuch as building stones have been removed from Showlow 

 ruin for many years and excessive alteration has taken place, it was 

 difficult to tell how much, if any, of the pueblo was originally more 

 than one story in height. The former existence of a two-story structure 

 was noted in but one of several tests ; from conversation with Mr. 

 Whipple it was gathered that he rarely encountered two-story remains 

 during the 20-odd years in which he was actively engaged in local 

 excavations. With a few exceptions, therefore, the rooms of Showlow 

 ruin appear to have been only one story in height. 



Showlow masonry is not all of the same type, due to the fact that it 

 is not all contemporaneous. It has already been intimated that rooms 

 opened in tests i, 2, 3, and 12 (pi. 4, fig. i) evidenced two levels of 

 occupation. A tentative dating of A. D. 1204 has been assigned to the 

 lower horizon ; the upper level of occupancy dating about 1375. Walls 

 related to both levels were uncovered. Lower-level masonry, composed 

 of comparatively large, well-selected stones, and usually chinked, is 

 superior in workmanship to upper-level walls which are poorly 

 constructed of ill-chosen building stones. 



A study of potsherds from Showlow ruin indicates the possibility 

 of an even older horizon in the northeast part of the pueblo. Walls 

 exposed here were formed by a basal row of large vertical slabs above 

 which small blocks were placed in rude, horizontal courses (pi. 3, 

 fig. I ) . Although inferior in composition, this masonry is similar to the 

 lower level type exposed in tests i, 2, 3, and 12. This relationship, and 

 the greater antiquity suggested by potsherds for the northeast quarter, 

 leaves little doubt as to the early sequence of wall types. 



In test 12 was uncovered an exceptionally good section of lower- 

 level wall, 13 feet in length by 5 feet in height. Here large blocks were 

 substituted for the vertical slabs of the lowest course displayed in 

 the northeast section of the ruin. It was then continued upward by 

 alternating layers of large blocks and small spalls (pi. 3, fig. 2). 

 In some cases the spalls were employed primarily in chinking; in 

 others, it is obvious they served to provide a base for the succeeding 

 layer of large stones. The exposed faces of these larger units were 

 dressed by pecking with hammer stones. This type of masonry, 



