NO. lO SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, I923 "JT, 



masonry north of Mexico; it is that last erected at Pueblo Bonito and 

 overlies the partially razed walls of other equally distinct types of 

 construction. The secular rooms and the circular kivas, or ceremonial 

 chambers, associated with them formed a group of structures occu- 

 pied by one of the immigrant groujjs which added greatly to the 

 original population of Pueblo Bonito and helped to spread the fame 

 of this remarkable village throughout a large portion of ancient 

 America. Excavations during the two years mentioned established 

 the fact that this eastern portion of Pueblo Bonito, although compris- 

 ing the largest and finest rooms in the entire village, was deserted at 

 some time prior to final abandonment of the community. 



The explorations of 1923 centered in the northern section of the 

 ruin. Much of the expedition's efforts this year were devoted to 

 removal of the vast accumulations of debris and blown sand which 

 covered the fallen walls. It was in this particular section that the Hyde 

 Exploring Expedition made its remarkable discoveries during the 

 years 1896 to 1899. Conforming to a custom of the time, these early 

 explorers threw the refuse from each room into that last excavated. 

 Prehistoric habitations were not then regarded as objects of instruc- 

 tion in connection with the pre-history of our country and no concerted 

 efifort was made to support insecure walls, or to leave excavated ruins 

 in a condition that would invite popular attention. 



In removing the accumulations of earth and stone from the northern 

 portion of Pueblo Bonito the National Geographic Society's Expe- 

 dition of 1923 exposed three new kivas or ceremonial chambers and 

 26 previously uncharted and unexplored dwellings and storage rooms. 

 A few of these structures had been destroyed by fire during or follow- 

 ing the time of occupancy. In them and in other neighboring rooms 

 a considerable collection of cultural material w^as recovered and has 

 been forwarded to the United States National Museum. 



In addition to the investigations pursued within the walls of Pueblo 

 Bonito proper, search was made in the adjacent areas for further 

 evidence of building operations. Enormous piles of blown sand and 

 fallen masonry were removed from the outer east and northeast walls 

 of the great ruin — debris which heretofore has completely concealed 

 the first-story walls of the ruin. In removing this debris a veritable 

 network of foundation w^alls was disclosed. These foundations con- 

 nect directly with similar walls exposed beneath the floors of rooms 

 excavated during 1921 and 1922 ; although obviously prepared as sup- 

 ports for heavy structures it is equally certain that these foundations 

 were never utilized subsequent to their preparation. Plans for the con- 



