546 EXPEDITION TO ARIZONA IN 1895 [BTH. ANN. 17 
MontEezuMA WELL 
One of the most interesting sites of ancient habitation in Verde val- 
ley is known as Montezuma Well, and it is remarkable how little atten- 
tion has been paid to it by archeologists.! Dr Mearns, in his article on 
the ancient dwellings of Verde valley, does not mention the well, and 
Mindeleff simply refers to the brief description by Dr Hoffman in 1877. 
These ruins are worthy of more study than I was able to give them, 
for like many other travelers I remained but a short time in the neigh- 
borhood. It is possible, however, that some of my hurried observations 
at this point may be worthy of record. 
Montezuma Well (plate xcIv) is an irregular, circular depression, 
closely resembling a volcanic crater, but evidently, as Dr Hoffman well 
points out, due to erosion rather than to volcanic agencies. As one 
approaches it from a neighboring ranch the road ascends a low eleva- 
tion, and when on top the visitor finds that the crater occupies the 
whole interior of the hill. The exact dimensions I did not accurately 
determine, but the longest diameter of the excavation is estimated at 
about 400 feet; its depth possibly 70 feet. On the eastern side this 
depression is separated from Beaver creek by a precipitous wall which 
can not be sealed from that side. At the time of my visit there was con- 
siderable water in the ‘‘ well,” which was reported to be very deep, but 
did not cover the whole bottom. It is possible to descend to the water 
at one point on the eastern side, where a trail leads to the water’s edge. 
There appears to be a subterranean waterway under the eastern rim 
of the well, and the water from the spring rushes through this passage 
into Beaver creek. At the time of my visit this outflow was very con- 
siderable, and in the rainy season it must be much greater. The well 
is never dry, and is supplied by perennial subterranean springs rather 
than by surface drainage. 
The geological agency which has been potent in giving the remark- 
able crater-like form to Montezuma Well was correctly recognized by 
Dr Hoftman? and others as the solvent or erosive power of the spring. 
There is no evidence of voleanie formation in the neighborhood, and 
the surrounding rocks are limestones and sandstones. Not far from 
Navaho springs there is a similar circular depression, called Jacob’s 
Well, but which was dry when visited by me. This may later be found 
to have been formed in a similar way. At several places in Arizona 
there are foi1mations of like geological character. : 
The walls of Montezuma Well are so nearly perpendicular that descent 
to the edge of the water is difficult save by a single trail which follows 
the detritus to a cave on one side. In this cave, the roof of which is 
1Since the above lines were written Mr C F. Lummis, who has made many well-known contribu- 
tions to the ethnology and archeology of the Pueblo area, has published in Land of Sunshine (Los 
Angeles, 1895), a beautiful photographic illustration and an important description of this unique place. 
2Miscellaneous Ethnographic Observations on Indians inhabiting Nevada, California, and Arizona, 
Veuth Annual Report of the Hayden Survey, p.478; Washington, 1878, 
