NO. 6 



SMITHSONIAN EX PIJ )KATIONS. IQ20 



87 



it was used as a crematory. A natural conclusion would be that it 

 was constructed for ceremonies connected with tire. 



The significance of the two low-walled rectangular enclosures 

 one on each side of the central fire pit. is unknown. Each w^as par- 

 tiall\- filled with soil and ashes when excavated and it is suggestive 

 to record that the stratum of earth above them as well as the whole 

 surface of the hardened floor of the court was filled or covered with 

 charcoal and burnt I)rush. Great fires must have raged over the 



Fig. 104. — Cedar Tree Tower before excavation. Photograph 

 by J. A. Jeancon. 



whole court in addition to that in the fireplace, after the temple was 

 deserted. 



We find several other facts that fit in very well with the interpreta- 

 tion that this building was a fire temple. On the east and west ends 

 of the court (figs. 97, 101 ) there are banquettes, the former evidently 

 seats for those who watched the ceremonial performance in the court. 

 There are niches in the rear wall where possibly sacred objects may 

 have been placed ; a wall of the clifif bears triangles and zig-zag paint- 

 ings, symbols of sex life : but, most important of all, on the wall of one 

 of the rooms at the west end of the court there are paintings in red, 



