HOLMES ANNIVERSARY VOLUME 



The cliff-ruins in Fewkes canon, like most of the Mesa Verde cliff- 

 dwellings, are situated at two levels, consisting of one building above 

 the other, or an upper and a lower house. The architecture of the two 

 tiers differs somewhat; especially is this true of Painted House, in 

 which the lower structure is situated on the talus. Both show evidence 

 of having been constructed at about the same time. 



In 1908 a rude ladder was placed on the southern wall of Fewkes 

 canon, which enabled one to descend from the rim to the top of the 

 talus, and a rude trail was made across the canon to Oak-tree House. 

 Another trail was built from Cliff Palace across Cliff canon to its 

 bottom and up the western side, a course which admits of improve- 

 ment. The difficulty in reaching the level of the talus on which the 

 ruins lie deterred many from visiting Oak-tree House in the past, but 

 this difficulty no longer exists. 



The cave in which Oak-tree House is situated is one of the most 

 symmetrical in the Mesa Verde National Park, and can best be 

 observed from a point on the mesa directly opposite, or across the 

 canon. The cave roof is composed of an upper and a lower arch, the 

 outline of the former being almost symmetrical. The cave itself extends 

 deep into the cliff, the height of the roof diminishing as the cave 

 deepens. The overhanging roof of the cave completely covers and 

 protects the cliff-house below, the walls of which occupy almost the 

 entire floor of the cavern and project beyond the cave at both ex- 

 tremities. The remarkably picturesque ruin was perfectly shielded 

 from cold winter winds of the north and from the blazing sun in 

 summer. Many large trees grow on the talus in front of the cliff- 

 house, concealing it on the southern side, protecting it from summer 

 sun and winter cold; but, unfortunately for the photographer, ren- 

 dering it difficult to obtain a good view of the walls of the ruin from 

 the opposite side of the canon (pi. 1, b). 



The small ruin (pi. 1, a) in the cliff under the brow of the precipice 

 on which the Sun Temple is situated is difficult of approach, but it 

 has been entered by several visitors who report a well-plastered room 

 with walls a little damaged. I do not regard this structure as a habi- 

 tation, but more of the nature of a retreat for priests to pray for rain, 

 as we know is customary at times among the Hopi. It is hardly large 

 enough for the shelter of a considerable number of people, but it 

 might have housed a single family. The theory, sometimes advanced, 

 that this almost inaccessible building was used for storage purposes 

 is possible, but cannot be proved. 1 Among the Hopi, sacred parapher- 



'A mummy and several mortuary pottery vessels were found by Mr Jeep in the floor of this 

 room in 1916. 



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