348 KEI'AIR or CASA GRANDK KUIN [inii. avn. 15 



VI. Report iif Ike lUnitor of tin- Hnrean of American Eihnnloijii to the 

 Seeretarii of the Interior on the e.rami nation of the condition of Cam 

 Grande 1)1/ Mr W J MvGee, with a recommendation converniny itn fur- 

 ther protection 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 bueeau ok amekifan ethnology, 



Wanhinf/ton, Norcml)cr 15, ]S9o. 



Sir: Pursuant to a proposal made in connection with a report from 

 tliis otlice relating- to the, ruins known as (Jasa (Jiande, near l-'lorcnce, 

 xVrizona, under date of Auj^ust 28, 189.J, and to the acceptance of this 

 ])roposal in a coiuniuuication from the Department of the Interior under 

 date of ^September 12, 1895, Mr W J McGee, ethnologist in charge of 

 the Mureau of American Ethnology, has within a few days made au 

 examination of Casa (Iraude ruin with the view of determining the 

 need for further protection of the ruin by a roof or otherwise. 



There are in this otlice two series of photographs rejjresenting the 

 ruin. The first series was taken in 1892 before the protective works 

 authorized by the Congress were commenced; the second series re]ire- 

 sents the work in progress, in the recent examination tlie ))resent 

 condition of the ruin v.'as carefully compared with the condition repre- 

 sented in the photographs. 



On comparing the profiles of the walls, it was found tliat in many 

 cases the irregular upper surfaces retain the exact (!onfiguration of lsy2, 

 even to the slightest knobs and rain-formed crevices; the corresiiond- 

 ence being so close as to show that the injury and loss by weathering 

 during the interim has l)een imperceptible. In some other cases, nota- 

 bly along tlie southern and eastern walls, the profiles are more exten- 

 sively modified; some of the points and knobs shown in the photo- 

 graphs are gone, some of the old crevices are widened and deei)ened 

 and some new crevices appear; and in some parts it can be seen that 

 walls are lowered several inches. On the whole the modification of the 

 profiles of the walls is limited, yet such as to indicate that destruction 

 is proceeding at a not inconsiderable rate. 



On comparing the scars and crevices on the sides of the walls, it was 

 found that, while many remain essentially unchanged, most are enlarged 

 and deepened. This is particularly noteworthy on the eastern aud 

 southern walls, which are most beaten by wind-driven rains, and which 

 are also most modified in profile. It would ajipear that destruction is 

 proceeding more rapidly along the sifles of the walls tlian along the 

 crests. 



On examining the walls with respect to apparent solidity and sta- 

 bility, it was found that nearly all are in fair or good condition. The 

 only portion that would seem in special danger is the central section of 

 the southern exterior wall. This sectiou seems insecure, and might at 

 any time be overthrown by a heavy wind following a rain storm. This 

 section was not, unfortunately, braced or tied to the stronger interior 

 wall when the protec-tive works were carried out in 1892. 



