112 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. GO 



and brotid stretches of semidesert coiintrv. Contrasting thus strongly 

 with neighboring areas, it has induced a culture peculiarly its own. 

 The clilFs abound in caves and deep recesses well adapted for habita- 

 tion, and the modification of these for dwellings probably led to 

 the intelligent use of stone in building, with the result that the build- 

 ing arts were more highly developed than in any other section north 

 of middle Mexico. 



That the region has been occupied for a long period is amply 

 attested by the occurrence of great numbers of ruins of substantial 

 structures — cliif dwellings, and plateau and lowland pueblos scattered 

 broadcast over the territory. Reservoirs and traces of extensive 

 irrigating canals attest the enterprise of the people. That the present 

 town-building tribes are the descendants of the ancient peoples is 

 indicated by tradition, by skeletal evidence, and by material culture. 

 The past connects with the present without perceptible break, and the 

 implements and utensils of to-day are, except for the intrusive ele- 

 ments of Avhite civilization, the implements and utensils of the past. 

 It is not held, however, that the culture of the area is a close unit, and 

 it is to be anticipated that with progress of archeological research 

 various somewhat well differentiated cultures will be identified and 

 their ethnic and chronologic relations made plain. 



The town-building peoples belong to a number of linguistic 

 stocks — Zunian, Tanoan, Keresan, Shoshonean, Piman, and Yuman — 

 and aside from these a number of non-town-building tribes occupy the 

 region — the T^te. Paiute. Xavaho, and Apache — the range of whose 

 lithic arts is quite limited, agreeing somewhat closely with that of 

 the hunter tribes of the plains and mountains. 



Four types of building are noted — concrete, as in the Casa 

 Grande ruins in Arizona ; adobe bricks, as in parts of New Mexico 

 and Arizona ; masonry, throughout the region ; and excavated, as in 

 Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The cliff dwellings, which are 

 of great interest, are as a rule single houses or small groups of 

 houses; there are, however, villages capable of accommodating hun- 

 dreds of people. Most of them occupy picturesque and almost inac- 

 cessible niches in the canyon walls. The plateau sites were often 

 selected with a view to defence, and the lowland pueblos were 

 ]iractically fortifications. The outer walls were unbroken except by 

 a single doorway, while entrance to the dAvellings generally was from 

 the inner court by way of the roofs of the first story. The estufa, or 

 kiva, the sacred chamber, is a feature of exceptional interest. In 

 many places steep ascents and narrow passes were defended by low 

 walls of rude masonry, and it is assumed that the round and square 

 towers found in some sections were designed for observation and 

 defence. 



