The Cliff Ruins of Canyon de Chelly, Arizona / Sixteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1894-95, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1897, pages 73-198

Name: The Cliff Ruins of Canyon de Chelly, Arizona / Sixteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1894-95, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1897, pages 73-198
Author: Cosmos Mindeleff

By Cosmos Mindeleff

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About This Book

The study presents a systematic archaeological survey of cliff and pueblo ruins in an Arizona canyon system, combining detailed maps, measured plans, and illustrations. Sites are classified by location and function—open-village remains, bottomland hamlets, defensively sited settlements, and cliff outlooks or agricultural shelters—with descriptive plans and photographs. Technical sections examine masonry, door and roof construction, timberwork, storage and burial cists, kivas and chimney-like features, and defensive adaptations. Ethnographic notes summarize recorded traditions and site histories, and the work concludes with comparative observations on settlement patterns, construction techniques, and the relationship between architecture and landscape.

About the Author

Cosmos Mindeleff

Cosmos Mindeleff was an American ethnologist and archaeologist known for his extensive work with the Bureau of Ethnology. His research primarily focused on the indigenous cultures of the American Southwest, particularly the architectural remains of ancient civilizations. Among his notable contributions are detailed reports on the Casa Grande Ruin and the cliff dwellings of Canyon de Chelly, which provide valuable insights into the lives and structures of the Native American peoples. Mindeleff's writings, such as "Aboriginal Remains in Verde Valley, Arizona," reflect his commitment to documenting and preserving the history of these cultures.