18 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



Mr Stevenson returned to Zuni, where six months were spent in ethno- 

 loo'ie study and collecting-. The Hopi villages and a number of ruins 

 in the vicinity were visited in the winter of the same year. 



In subse(iuent years further researches were made among the Rio 

 Grande pueblos and the ruins of central and northern Arizona, and 

 many objects of value were obtained. The pottery from the ruins was 

 especially fine, many of the pieces ri\"aling in form and color the old 

 Greek and Egyptian wares. One of the most interesting ruins was 

 found in an arm of the canyon de Chelly. Although the main canyon 

 had been previously visited, this arm, named the canyon del Muerto, 

 from the exhumation of a number of mummies,'^' was unknown to the 

 white man before the old Navaho chief, Ganado Mucho, who was 

 Mr Stevenson's guide, led him, as a mark of special favor, into this 

 hitherto unexplored field. Models of the ruins in the can3'on del 

 Muerto, constructed principally by Mr Victor Mindeleff, artist to 

 the expedition, from the surveys, photographs, and sketches made 

 at this time, are among the most interesting to be seen in the National 

 Musemii (see plate ii). 



The rich results from superficial excavations in New Mexico and 

 Arizona, especially in the Hopi country, convinced Mr Stevenson that 

 archeologic treasures la}- hidden within the earth; but these he thought 

 w^ould remain undisturbed while he gathered objects of interest, both 

 ancient and modern, from the many pueblos. For tourists and curi- 

 osity-seekers, fired with the desire for collecting, were effecting trades 

 with the Indians, and many choice specimens were already crossing the 

 seas; hence came the necessity for immediate action on the part of the 

 Government collectors. It was hoped by Mr Stevenson that, when 

 the materials to be found on the surface were safel}^ deposited in the 

 National Museum, a well-organized system of excavation throughout 

 the Southwest could be begun. But exposure and overwork shortened 

 the days of this earnest worker, and after his untimely death in 1888 

 it remained for Dr J. W. Fewkes, Dr Walter Hough, Dr George H. 

 Pepper, and others to verif}^ his opinions. The valuable archeologic 

 collections made in recent years are evidence of the correctness of Mr 

 Stevenson's convictions. 



The w^riter has made several prolonged visits to Zuni, and after man}' 

 years of investigation and intimate acquaintance with the priests, the- 

 urgists, and the people generally, feels sufficiently acquainted with 

 them, their life, and their thoughts, to venture a presentation of their 

 esoteric beliefs, their rituals, habits, and customs. The limitations of 

 this volume, however, make it necessary to give only a restricted 

 account of many .subjects that are deserving of more extensive treat- 

 ment, and much material has been reserved for future publication. 



"Mr J. Stanley-Brown was the first of the party to discover human remains in this canyon. 



