1923] 



WEST, GRAND CANYON CLIFF DWELLINGS 



95 



disintegration of the rocks in this region, it is evident that a very- 

 great length of time must have been required to deposit by these 

 natural means, a layer a foot and a half thick on the floor of room 1. 

 This and many other evidences lead to the conclusion that many hun- 

 dreds of years have elapsed since this rock shelter was occupied. 



The presence of an outer wall in room 2, is indicated by a series of 

 very substantial stones, set on edge, and measuring roughly about 

 one b}^ two feet on the average and having a thickness of from six to 

 eight inches. The outer opening of this room, with these stones in 

 place, is shown in figure 63. This probablj^ formed the base of a fairly 



Fig. 64. — Excavating Room No. 1, Cape Royal rock shelter. 



thick and substantial wall, similar to the one now separating the two 

 rooms, and which may be seen in figure 62. This latter wall, of course, 

 is in a much better state of preservation, owing to its being located 

 farther in under the protection of the overhanging rock roof. 



Upon excavating room 2, it was found to possess a level floor, 

 made of thin slabs of stone. In the northeast corner of this room was 

 a pit, Y, a foot or more deep, which was evidently a cooking or baking 

 pit, as was also the pit, X, in the next room. In fact, both of these 

 rooms showed marked evidences of having been used as cooking 



