MiNDELEFF] CONDITION OF CASA GRANDE 325 



quite close together, and above this again a layer of rashes with a coat- 

 ing of clay. All the walls show evidences of the i^riucipal series of 

 beams in the line of holes formed by their ends where they were 

 embedded in the walls. In the south wall, in parts of the east wall 

 high up on the level of the upper roof, and in parts of other walls a few 

 stumps of tioor beams remained. These specimens of aboriginal wood- 

 work have survived only because they are not in sight from the ground, 

 and their existence therefore was not susi^ected by the tourists. Evi- 

 dence of the other features of the floor construction can be seen on the 

 walls in places where they have left an imprint, as described in the 

 memoir previously cited. 



No single opening remains intact, as the lintels have been removed 

 from every one of them. This is particularly unfortunate, for openings 

 at their best are an element of weakness in a wall, and here each 

 opening, after the lintel was removed, became, as it were, a center 

 of weakness from which the destruction of the wall mass gradually 

 proceeded farther and further. 



PLANS FOR THE REPAIRS 



The plans for the repair of the ruin and its preservation included 

 the reservation of the area covered by remains and, if possible, its 

 inclosure, for within that area are exhibited all the various degrees of 

 decay and disintegration which clearly link the comparatively well- 

 preserved Casa Grande with the numerous almost obliterated ruins 

 along the Gila and the Salt, whose vestiges will become even less 

 distinct as time passes and cultivation increases. 



It was deemed necessary to remove all the rubbish and debris within 

 the building and from an area measuring 10 feet from the outer walls 

 in every direction. Plate A'l shows the extent of this area, and six 

 sections are shown in plates vii and Vili, three on east-and-west lines 

 and three on north-audsouth lines. The lines along which these 

 sections were made are indicated on the plan, plate cxvii. The ground 

 level was determined by excavation, and is of course only approxi- 

 mate. The sections show the estimated amount of debris wliicli was 

 to be removed. Aside from other considerations, it was necessary to 

 uncover the walls to the ground level iu order to do the necessary 

 underpinning. 



It was jdanned to underpin the walls, where erosion at the ground 

 level had weakened them, with hard-burned brick laid in cement mor- 

 tar. Plate CXVII shows in a measure the extent of this erosion. The 

 brick surface was to be set back an inch or two and faced with that 

 thickness of cement mortar. Plate cxx shows the south front and 

 plate cxxi the south and east fronts when the brickwork was com- 

 pleted, but before it was plastered, and will illustrate what was 

 planned better than can a description. 



