LXXVI REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY 



The results of the work by Mr Cosmos Mindeleff in New 

 Mexico and Arizona are of much importance. The examina- 

 tion of over sixty ruins in Canyon de Chelly verifies the con- 

 clusion previously reached by the same investigator that the 

 cliff dwellings here were primaril}' farming outlooks, and that 

 the home \'illages were commonly located on wholly indefen- 

 sible sites on the canyon bottoms. It was found that the ruins 

 are divisible into several groups, apparently representing a 

 chronologic sequence. In the latter ruins highly suggestive 

 details are found illustrating the gradual assimilation of intro- 

 duced or ■ accultural ideas. Among other results there was 

 obtained a series of drawings and photographs showing the 

 development of chimney structure from the first crude attempts 

 to imitate a form known only from casual observation and 

 description to a more finished structure, though the most 

 finished product Avas far from perfect, while the first attempts 

 were exceedingly crude. Mr Mindeleff" was led to conclude 

 that the foreign ideas exemplified in the chimneys and other 

 structm-es were introduced in the architecture of Canyon de 

 Chelly at a late period of the occupancy of the territory, prob- 

 ably only a few decades before its abandonment. Other 

 details, such as the constructive use of adobe, were traced 

 through the various stages of development in the same way; 

 and some ruins were found in which the old and the new ideas 

 find expression side by side in such manner as to indicate that 

 the village was occupied before the introduction of the foreign 

 ideas, and that the occupancy continued until after the ideas 

 were definitely crystallized. 



One interesting group or series of ancient ruins was found, 

 wdiich had apparently been overlooked by previous visitors. 

 They occur in the upper part of the canyon and are nearly 

 obliterated. The structures were always located on sites deter- 

 mined wholly by agricultural necessity and methods without 

 reference to defensive ends. Mr Mindeleff" is of opinion that 

 these are the oldest ruins in the canyon, belonging- to the ini- 



t,' ' Co 



tial period of occupancy, which extended over many decades. 

 Close attention was given also to a number of large ruins 

 situated in the canyon bottom witliout reference to defense, 



