Footnote anchors are denoted by [number] , and the footnotes have been placed at the end of the book. The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. These are indicated by a dashed blue underline. Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith for publication, with your approval, as Bulletin 41 of this Bureau, the report of Dr.
The present paper is more detailed, and deals with the technical archeological results. It is gratifying to state that Doctor Fewkes was able to complete the work assigned him, and that Spruce-tree House—the largest ruin in Mesa Verde Park with the exception of the Cliff Palace—is now accessible for the first time, in all its features, to those who would view one of the great aboriginal monuments of our country.
Respectfully, yours, W. Holmes , Chief. Spruce-tree House pls. The trees predominating on the rim of the canyon are cedars and pines. The rock out of which the canyon is eroded is sandstone of varying degrees of hardness alternating with layers of coal and shale. The water percolating through this sandstone, on meeting the harder shale, seeps out of the cliffs to the surface.
As the water permeates the rock it gradually undermines the harder layers of sandstone, which fall in great blocks, often leaving arches of rock above deep caves. One of these caves is situated at the end of the canyon where the rim rock overhangs the spring, which is filled by water seeping down from above the shale. Another of these caves is that in which Spruce-tree House is situated. Several smaller caves, and ledges of rock harder than that immediately above, serve as sites for small buildings.
