Some are remarkable for their perfectly rectangular form,
while all are distinguished by a notable uniformity in thickness. Close
by, and apparently forming part of the same group, are a number of
stones imbedded in the ground with their upper edges exposed and placed
at right angles to the faces of the vertical monuments. The taller slabs
are said by the Indians to have been erected as a defense against the
attacks of the Apache upon this pueblo, but only a portion of the group
could, from their position, have been of any use for this purpose. The
stones probably mark graves. Although thorough excavation of the hard
soil could not be undertaken, digging to the depth of 18 inches revealed
the same character of pottery fragments, ashes, etc., found in many of
the pueblo graves. Mr. E. W. Nelson found identical remains in graves in
the Rio San Francisco region which he excavated in collecting pottery.
Comparatively little is known, however, of the burial practices of this
region, so it would be difficult to decide whether this was an ordinary
method of burial or not.
This pueblo has been identified by Mr. Cushing, through Zu?i tradition,
as the scene of the death of Estevanico, the negro who accompanied the
first Spanish expedition to Cibola.
MATSAKI.
Matsaki is situated on a foothill at the base of T?aaiyalana, near its
northwestern extremity. This pueblo is in about the same state of
preservation as K'iakima, no complete rooms being traceable over most of
the area.
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