478 REPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



openiugs leading from one to the other are low and scarcely large enough 

 to admit a man of ordinary stature. The roof of the second story forms 

 the floor for a sort of parapet ; the wall which extends up from the story 

 below being about 4 feet high. Through this are several port-holes, 3 

 or 4 inches square on the inner side and over a foot on the outer ; 

 through these arrows could very easily have been fired, as the shape of 

 the openings permits of considerable shifting in firing either toward the 

 right or left. Back of this parapet is a large opening leading into the 

 rocks, which appears as if it might have been used as a store-room for 

 food. At the mouth of this the fires had evidently been built, as there is 

 a space about C feet long and 4 broad, which consists of the natural for- 

 mation. The wall above was darkened, but this may have been caused 

 by more recent visitors. As will be seen in the accompanying illustra- 

 tion, it is probable that the tower extended all the way to the top of the 

 entire structure, or nearly so. Two rafters, protruding from the middle 

 wall, are still in position, which evidently served as a partial hold or 

 support. The door or opening in the unplastered stone wall beyond the 

 tower leads into that space between the first and second walls, and has 

 no communication with any other apartments. The door partially vis- 

 ible in the upper posterior wail is the one leading to the supposed hearth 

 and store-room. There are visible entrances to other rooms upon the 

 same level, but they are literally filled with the materials before named, 

 in addition to fragments of the rock, which is gradually crumbling and 

 breaking off in fragments through disintegration. The lintels over the 

 door-ways are generally of cedar, and in as substantial a condition as 

 when first placed there. The outer walls generally had been plastered, 

 and in but few places has this fallen oft". The stones composing the 

 walls are neatlj" and closely laid and fitted, and actually cemented to- 

 gether with mortar. By the natural breaking away of the rocks below 

 the building, the place has become more accessible than it appears to 

 have been when regularly occupied, when rope ladders or similar con- 

 trivances were probably necessary. 



"Montezuma Wells" is so-called from the fact that it is an oblong 

 depression about 60 or 70 feet deep, having perpendicular walls, at the 

 bottom of which is a deep spring of clear water. Around the base is a 

 line of debris, consisting chiefly of rocks, between which and the water's 

 edge are a few scattering sycamores. The excavation is about 100 yards 

 in its greater diameter and about 60 yards in its lesser. There is but 

 one point at which a descent can be made, which passage is guarded by 

 small cliff-dwellings. In various depressions these small habitations 

 are located, giving the place a very singular appearance. From the 

 base of the excavation on the eastern side there is a narrow and low 

 tunnel leading out to the banks of Beaver Creek ; the entire distance 

 is about 60 or 80 feet. The origin of this singular geological formation 

 was evidently due to the gradual solution of the limestone by the water 

 having at some time or other been charged with some acid gases or 

 mineral ingredients. The settlement within this natural enclosure was 

 no doubt a retreat in times of danger, as the sloping surface receding 

 from it is covered with ruins of former structures, over the remains of 

 which, and throughout considerable surface beyond, the soil is covered 

 with numerous fragments of beautifully glazed and incised pottery. 

 Elint and carnelian flakes, weapons, and other remains occur in consid- 

 erable quantities. The land surrounding this locality is excellect for 

 agricultural jiurposes, and it appears to have been at one time nnder 

 cultivation. Wherever one turns scattered pieces of pottery are visible, 

 giving either proof of a very large settlement, or one that lasted for many 

 years. 



