34 PROCEEDIJSTGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol.77 



the narrow ledge previously used as a passage between the east 

 and west house groups. It is certain that the ledge crossing the 

 cave at this level was used as a trail for its course is marked bj 

 pecked steps and otherwise. (Pis. 6, B; 15, B.) Water seeps out 

 just above the old path, providing lodgment for wind-driven sand 

 and moisture for growing plants. From this area we removed a 

 thick mat of columbine and other vegetation. Also we cleared the 

 old trail and deepened some of its more weathered steps. 



Room 53. In front of and below room 60-61, the pecked out cliff 

 between room 52 and the projecting southeast wall of room 64-65 

 marks the former floor level of room 53 and its northeast-southwest 

 length as 8 feet 7 inches (2.61 m.). A shallow groove, pecked in 

 the sloping sandstone, served as a rest for the southeast wall, in con- 

 tinuation of that in room 52. 



During our repairs six steps were cut in the cave floor of room 

 53 to facilitate access to the western portion of the ruin. 



Room 5Jf- Not indicated on Douglass's plan. 



Room, 55, obviously a ceremonial chamber, stands in the lower 

 middle front of the cave. Like other Betatakin kivas, its special 

 function is evidenced by certain furnishings never present in secular 

 structures. 



Although the south wall is now missing its former position is 

 marked by a pecked rest on the cliff face below the floor level. The 

 east and west walls stand more than 7 feet (2.13 m.) in height with- 

 out trace of beam seatings ; unlike any other in the ruin, they meas- 

 ure over 2 feet thick and include a core of sandstone spalls and adobe, 

 faced on each side with masonry. 



On the north the sharply inclined terrace face was squared up 

 in front with masonry to form a shelf 18 inches (0.45 m.) wide at 

 the east and 10 inches (0.25 m.) wide at the west, extending the 

 entire length of the room, 3 feet 11 inches (1.19 m.) above the floor. 

 In the middle face of this shelf, 22 inches (0.56 m.) above the floor, 

 is a pecked hole, 7% inches (0.19 m.) in diameter by 3 inches (0.07 

 m.) deep; above the shelf, where the room length is a few inches less 

 than that below, masonry continued to the roof level. The walls 

 were plastered and smoke stained. 



Filling was necessary adjacent to the south wall, but elsewhere the 

 floor is the flat surface of the lowermost terrace. Jn this are four 

 loom anchor holes, averaging 3 inches (0.07 m.) in diameter by 2i/4 

 inches (0.056 m.) deep. They were pecked in the sandstone about 

 12 inches (0.30 m.) from each other and about 17 inches (0.43 m.) 

 from the base of the north shelf; each hole lacks its former anchor 

 stick. ' 



Built in the lower northwest corner is a triangular bench, 2 feet 

 3 inches (0.68 m.) high by 2 feet 4 inches (0.71 m.) on the north and 



