Lime

On Tuesday we tried again.  After several hours of tricky route finding, we discovered another perfect kiva, this time in Lime Canyon.  Its roof had been collapsed by a chunk of rock falling from the overhang above, so I guess it is no longer quite perfect, but this condition allows for a clear view of the kiva's construction.  The roof consists of three layers.  The first is made of juniper trunks or branches.  These are the logs you can see.  I think it is interesting that the builders "cut" the logs to length not with a saw, but with a fire.  The second layer is made of juniper bark.  You can see this clearly on the right side of the image.  The top, or final layer, is earth or mud.  The other really nice thing about this structure is the quality of the interior walls.  You can see in the center right portion of the image some smooth reddish plastering.  This is very hard mud, almost like concrete, but nearly smooth, like it was finished with a trowel.  I'm not sure I've ever seen interior walls that were so finely finished.