REPORT ON RUINS VISITED IN NEW MEXICO. 



By Lieut. Eogers Birnie, Jr., Thirteenth United States Infantry. 



The evidences that there were former inhabitants in localities now en- 

 tirely depopulated were numerous, being observed along* the Canon Cer- 

 resal, Canon Largo, Canon de Chaco, and the San Juan and Las Animas 

 Rivers. Traveling through the Canon Cerresal, they were first observed 

 as rude walls built upon the rocks, at the top of the walls of the canon, 

 where these latter were from 150 to 200 feet in height. 



On September 16, 1874, I visited, with Mr. Rowe, a topographical 

 station at the head of one of the branches of the Canon Cerresal, where we 

 found some very perfect specimens of old pottery, though no signs of any 

 habitation. It is one of the highest points in quite a large area, a small- 

 topped sandstone mesa about 100 by 40 feet, the upper terrace as it were 

 of a series, and well-nigh inaccessible. It is difficult to conceive for what 

 purpose this place could have been frequented, in the present aspect of the 

 country, situated as it is probably twenty miles from anv permanent source 

 of water, unless, with the positions of the dwelling, it may tend to corrobo- 

 rate the idea that these people were driven out of the country by roving 

 tribes of Indians, and sought refuge in these naturally -fortified places. 



Returning to the party from this station, we visited one of the stone 

 houses built upon the rocks above the side of the canon. The ascent to 

 the rock upon which it was built was by two pieces of wood about 10 feet 

 long, with notches cut for steps and forming a rude ladder. There were 



•Abstract from Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1875. Appendix LL. 



346 



