Return to Mystery Mesa by George Goldthwaite

Author:George Goldthwaite [Goldthwaite, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fawkes Press
Published: 2018-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

OVERWHELMED WITH MEMORIES of their last excursion into this ancient city, Josh and Alex waited while the three adults crawled in through the tunnel and stood in awe, staring at the rock buildings built into the side of the cliff. No one spoke. For centuries the ruins had remained undisturbed, waiting for humans to once again walk across the stone floors and stare into the dark recesses at its hidden secrets.

After a few minutes, Dr. Maggie took charge. “Be very careful from this point on. We need to document everything as it was when we first set foot here. Erika, get all the pictures you can while I lead the way. Pierre, follow and write down the details of each photo.”

The grad students nodded and dug through their backpacks for the needed items. Dr. Maggie turned to Josh and Alex. “You should be very proud. I have never, in all my years of archaeology, entered an area as well preserved as this one.”

Josh winked at Alex, who beamed at the compliment. Maybe she was getting over the scare she’d had descending the cliff.

Dr. Maggie went on. “But the trained members of the team must go in first. Disturbance of the ruins could hinder the recovery of whatever secrets these walls hold.” Turning, she carried a small flashlight and led the group farther into the village. A large open area lay near the edge of the cliff. Along the back wall, black openings showed between bricks carved from stone. She pointed to a circular pattern in the floor, a square hole gaping from its center.

“Look, a kiva!” Erika shouted. “I’ve never seen one with the roof intact.”

Josh looked to Alex, who lifted her shoulders as if to say, “Beats me.”

Dr. Maggie explained. “A kiva was an underground meeting place. They were circular, with a fire pit in the middle of the floor and a vent hole off to one side. Heat from the flames rose through the entrance hole, which is this square opening right there in the center of the roof.” She paused, as if deep in thought. “As it went up through the hole, fresh air was drawn in through the vent. Deflectors made it flow around the walls so it carried the smoke away from those gathered by the fire.”

“Kind of like central heat?” Josh asked.

“But without fans and electricity. It was a remarkable piece of engineering for a stone-age people.”

“But what did they do, all clustered up underground like that?”

“We believe it was used for religious services.”

“Like in a church?” Alex asked.

“Right. It was also probably where the leaders of the settlement met, as we might use a town hall or boardroom. When the weather was cold they may have huddled there for warmth.”

Josh shuddered. “Being cooped up in little places gives me the creeps.”

Dr. Maggie seemed not to hear, her gaze still on the kiva. “This one is in exceptionally good shape. Maybe we can get a little closer to solving that mystery when we get inside.

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