Bandelier National Monument, New MexicoWing, Kittridge A.
History
Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
Wing, Kittridge A.
Bandelier National Monument (N.M.)
KIVAS. Associated with the numerous ruins in Frijoles Canyon are
various kivas, both in the canyon floor and in the cliffs. The large
kiva previously mentioned is a short distance east of Tyuonyi, very
nearly in the center of the widest part of the canyon floor. The
rock-walled circular pit is 42 feet across and 8 feet deep, with a
ventilation shaft at the east side and a narrow entranceway opposite.
When the roof was intact above the chamber, there must have been little
evidence of the existence of the subterranean room; perhaps a ladder
protruding from a center hole in the roof was the only conspicuous
indication of the kiva below. In its present and partially restored
state, this kiva shows the butt ends of six roof columns similar to
those which once bore the load of the roof, as well as the stub ends of
roof stringers. The restoration work in this kiva was accomplished by
the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was responsible for much valuable
work in the monument during the late 1930’s.
Of particular interest in Frijoles Canyon are the unique kivas in the
cliffs. Of the thousands of kivas found throughout the ancient land of
the pueblos, there are no others of this cave style. The largest of the
cave kivas in the monument is a few hundred feet north of Tyuonyi, at
the base of a fantastically eroded block of tuff. The oval chamber,
nearly 20 feet across its long dimension, has been restored by the
replacement of rock work around its doorway and ventilation openings.
The interior effect now presented, with soot-blackened ceiling,
mud-plastered lower walls, and looms set in their ancient positions,
must closely approximate the appearance of the kiva in the days when it
was used. Many such kivas were decorated with painted or incised designs
on the plaster of the walls. Although this particular kiva does not show
evidence of mural paintings, it does still contain scratched designs in
the plaster, unidentifiable because covered in part by later
replastering.
CEREMONIAL CAVE. A restored kiva of very different type may be found
up the canyon nearly a mile. By climbing a series of ladders to a ledge
150 feet above the stream, the great rock overhang known as Ceremonial
Cave can be reached. Under the shelter of this arch a number of masonry
dwellings and a kiva were once built; the subterranean kiva, excavated
and reroofed, is very small but would have served the needs of the few
families who lived on this impregnable balcony.
[Illustration: _Entrance to Cave Kiva._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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