FEWKES] ANTIQUITIES OF MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK 29 



west of kiva V. It includes three kivas ; two, U and V, being situated 

 on the fourth terrace; and one, T, on the first terrace. Kivas U and 

 V are built on top of large rocks, the floor of kiva V being excavated 

 in solid rock. Much of this quarter, especially the western end, is 

 under the sky, and consequentlj^ without the protection of the cave 

 roof, on which account it was considerably destroyed by rain water 

 flowing OA'er the canyon rim. The walls of this quarter, especially 

 where it joins the old quarter, exhibit fine mas6nry, suggesting that 

 it was inhabited b}^ important clans. 



Masonry 



The walls of Cliff Palace present the finest masonry known to any 

 cliff-dwelling and among the best stonework in prehistoric ruins 

 north of Mexico. A majority of the stones used in the construction 

 were well dressed before laying and smoothed after they were set in 

 the wall. Tlie joints are often broken, but it is rare to find intersect- 

 ing walls or corners bonded. Stones of approximately the same size 

 are employed, thereby making the courses, as a rule, level. Although 

 commonly the foundations are composed of the largest stones, this 

 is not an invariable rule, often larger stones being laid above 

 smaller ones; the latter, even when used for foundations, are some- 

 times set on edge. As a rule, the walls are not plumb or straight. 

 The custom of laying stone foundations on wooden beams is shown in 

 several instances, especially in cases Avhere it was necessary to bridge 

 the intervals between projecting rocks. The arch was unknown to 

 the masons of Cliff Palace; there are no pillars to support floors or 

 roofs as in Spruce-tree House. It is not rare, especially in the kivas, 

 to find instances of double or reenforced walls which may or may not 

 be bonded by connecting stones. 



The masonry of the kivas as a rule is superior to that of the secular 

 rooms. The mortar employed in the construction is hard; the joints 

 are chinked with spalls, fragments of pottery, or clay balls. The 

 fact that much more mortar than was necessary was employed resulted 

 in weakening the walls. Several walls were laid without mortar ; in 

 some of these the joints were pointed, in others not." The ancient 

 builders did not always seek solid bases for foundations, but built 

 their walls in several instances on ashes or sand, evidently not 

 knowing when the foundations were laid that other stories would 

 later be constructed upon them. 



In several sections of the ruin there are evidences that old walls, 

 apparently of houses formerly used, served in part as walls for new 

 buildings. There are also several instances of secondary construction 



« FragmeDts of mortar from the walls and floors, ground to powdei-, were used in the 

 repair work. 



