ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 29 
trails, formed of foot holes cut in the perpendicular walls 
of the cliff. 
One of the most interesting results of work in July, 1920, 
was the excavation of a tower situated in the cedars about a 
mile north of Spruce-tree Camp and described in 1892 by 
Baron G. Nordenskiéld. This tower, which will in the future 
be called Cedar-tree Tower, enlarges our knowledge of the 
use of towers, as it is a type of a large number of these struc- 
tures found on the Mesa Verde and in McElmo and Yellow- 
jacket Canyons. The special feature of this type before 
excavation is indicated by a saucer-like depression on the 
surface of the ground south of the walls above ground. The 
significance of this depression was unknown previously to 
the work here mentioned. It marks the existence of a cir- 
cular subterranean kiva which once had a vaulted roof, and 
pilasters like those repeatedly described in cliff-house kivas. 
This tower was completely repaired and a road built around 
it to make it accessible to tourists. 
In his field work at Mesa Verde 30 years ago Baron Nor- 
denskiéld, whose Cliff Dwellers of the Mesa Verde has become 
a classic, partially excavated a ruin in Soda Canyon about 
half a mile north of Cedar-tree Tower. The approach to this 
cliff dwelling was very difficult, but has been much improved 
by a trail constructed under the direction of the chief, making 
this ruin readily accessible, aided by several ladders where 
necessary. 
The attractive feature of this ruin is a kiva, the inner wall 
of which still retains on its plastering decorations almost as 
brilliant as when they were first made. Onthis account “ Ruin 
9,” as it was formerly called, will be referred to in the future 
as Painted Kiva House. The decoration consists of a red 
dado below and white above, with triangles in clusters of 
three at intervals on the upper border of the dado. These 
decorations are identical with those on the court and rooms 
of Fire Temple, and those used by the Hopi in decorating their 
walls 30 years ago. The row of dots which accompanies this 
mural decoration is also a common feature on the archaic 
black and white pottery from Step House, one of the most 
ancient cliff dwellings on the park. 
