OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY. XXXV 



of between a thousand and fifteen hundred persons. The ex- 

 tremes of the habitable floor were 1,500 feet apart, while from 

 the rear wall of the cave to the edge of the precipice was about 

 half that distance. The floor of the two wider portions of 

 the cave was thickly studded with dwelling's, built of square 

 stones laid in mortar, all of which were in ruins. An edifice of 

 grander proportions, three stories in height, and almost as well 

 preserved as in the day of its occupation, nearly filled up the 

 narrow space in front of a dividing rock projection. It stood 

 300 feet from the bed of the canon, and was accessible only at 

 one point, where an accumulation of rocky debris formed a 

 steep sloping ascent. Many distinctive architectural features 

 were noted. All the materials out of which the structure was 

 built had been worked by stone implements, as was evidenced 

 by the rough chiseling of the blocks. Cross pieces were laid 

 upon the joists for the flooring- of the towers, and upon these 

 pieces twigs about the diameter of a man's finger were arranged 

 side by side, but in series which formed a peculiar mosaic of 

 angles and squares. 



In each division of the cave was found one circular struct- 

 ure, which probably was a place of assemblage for religious 

 rites or amusement. Structures of this kind are common in 

 that section of the country, but these were different, in many 

 respects, from any before examined by the members of the 

 party, and especially different in their interior ornamentation, 

 which was quite elaborate. In one of them a wide band was 

 laid on in bright durable colors, resembling a Greek fret, with 

 narrower bands above and below, and with the interior spaces 

 filled with curious artistic designs, the meaning- of which is 

 unknown. The roofs of the building were "■one and the floors 

 were covered with rocky debris. Good photographs of this 

 village were obtained and a survey was completed for the 

 preparation of a model. 



Among the debris of the declivity two skeletons were found 

 buried in a peutagonally-shaped cyst. They were in a sitting- 

 posture, having the knees drawn upward toward the chin and 

 the hands crossed on the breast. The bodies were wrapped 

 in coarse nets made of some vegetable fibre, and, with the 



