BANDELIER Guidebook ca. 1944

BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT
New Mexico

Located approximately 45 miles northwest, by road, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Bandelier National Monument is approached from Santa Fe, via Highway No. 285 to Pojoaque, thence 26 miles over graveled State Highway No. 4.

The monument is named in honor of Adolph F. A. Bandelier, distinguished Swiss-American scholar who carried on an extensive survey of prehistoric ruins in the region and studied among the Pueblo Indians around Santa Fe between the years 1880 and 1886. Part of his time was spent in Frijoles Canyon where he gathered material for his widely read ethno-historical novel "The Delight Makers." The plot of the story is laid in Frijoles Canyon and the Tyuonyi ruins in prehistoric times.

The monument lies in two sections containing typical areas of the interesting Pajarito Plateau. This volcanic basalt and tuff tableland lies at the eastern base of the great Jemez Crater, largest known caldera (crater) in the world. On the plateau and in water-cut canyons occur thousands of ruins of prehistoric Pueblos.

THE RUINS

The most accessible features of Bandelier National Monument are the ruins in Frijoles Canyon. The ancients chose well the location for their dwellings. The greatest concentration of population in olden times was the Canyon of El Rito de los Frijoles (Little River of the Beans). A deep canyon, or gorge, cut by the stream rising high in the mountains is a veritable oasis in the dry country of New Mexico.

High in a wall of Frijoles canyon is the Ceremonial Cave, reached only by ladders.

On the south exposure of the canyon and on the valley floor drought-stricken and harried people, forced to desert their homes in the Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, and Little Colorado regions in the thirteenth century, found an idyllic haven. They brought their pueblo culture from different centers, and the resulting blend developed into a culture peculiar to the Rio Grande area.

Cliff ruins, or talus villages, extend along the base of the northern wall of the canyon for approximately 2 miles. These houses of masonry were irregularly terraced from one to three stories in height and had many rooms, or man-made caves, gouged out of the solid cliff which is of soft volcanic ash, or tuff, and was worked with stone tools.

Aside from the caves is the ruined pueblo of Tyuonyi on the floor of Frijoles Canyon. It is a large structure of nearly circular plan with three kivas in an enclosed plaza. This large community house was excavated in 1908, 1909, and 1910 by the University of New Mexico and the School of American Research.

After the great pueblos and cliff dwellings of northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, and southwestern Colorado had been abandoned about 1300 A. D. there was ushered in what archeologists call the Regressive Pueblo Period. Driven by drought or enemies, the centers of population shifted to the Rio Grande, Little Colorado, and other drainages. Tree ring chronology and correlations of pottery types indicate that most of Bandelier's ruins belong to this period, although a few small ruins date hack to about 1200 A. D. Tyuonyi, Sankawi, and Otowi probably were occupied until about 1600 A. D., although their decline had probably set in by the time Coronado visited the country in 1540. No direct mention of Pajarito villages is made in chronicles of the expedition.

Like other ancient pueblos and cliff dwellers, the Frijoles inhabitants were farmers. They grew corn, beans, and pumpkins. Cotton cloth is found in the caves, indicating they probably had cotton and understood the use of the loom, but, since the growing season on the plateau is short, cotton may have been obtained by trade. Pottery with a glaze decoration was made.

The exact cause of abandonment of the dwellings is unknown. For centuries the pioneer Indian farmers lived in the Rito, built villages, honeycombed the cliffs with artificial caves, and tilled the soil in the valley and on the uplands. After several centuries, drought, flood, famine, savage foes, disease, or depletion of the soil forced the dwellers in the canyon again to seek new homes.

INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM

Interpretation service is carefully planned to aid the visitor in interpreting and appreciating more fully the features of Bandelier National Monument.

Guided Ruins Trips.—Throughout the year visitors are accompanied from the museum lobby to the various ruins by trained and competent ranger-archeologists. Parties leave the museum lobby on the hour, each hour, from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. The loop trail is laid out to exhibit a complete sample of the ruins of the Pajaritan Culture and takes about 2 hours. In order to protect the archeological features, no one is allowed to enter the ruins area unless accompanied by a ranger-archeologist.

The Museum of modern and prehistoric Indians is entered from the lobby. Cases are arranged to tell a logical story. They are numbered, and proper sequence is obtained by KEEPING TO THE RIGHT as the visitor goes through. The first group of cases explains what is known of the prehistoric Indians of the area, and the second group shows the present day Indians of the Rio Grande Valley. The last six cases deal with the natural history features of the monument. A museum attendant is present to explain cases and answer questions.

Campfire Lectures.—Informal lectures are given in the museum lobby each evening at 8 o'clock. The park archeologist or other members of the staff talk on the archeology and ethnology of the region.

Caravan Trip.—If a sufficient number of people register (minimum of 12), a caravan trip to the Otowi Section of the monument is conducted at 2 p. m.

The Gorge and other Trail Trips.—Ninety per cent of Bandelier National Monument is primitive area, through which no roads have been or will be built. The gorge of the Alamo, the Stone Lions, the Painted Cave, pueblos of Haatse and Yapashi, and White Rock Canyon of the Rio Grande are among the more remote attractions.

A hike to the beautiful "Falls of the Frijoles" may be taken at leisure. Upon advance request a ranger naturalist will conduct a group. The trip takes at least half a day.

The Stone Lions and Painted Cave can be reached only by 10 miles of trails across the canyons. For the more hardy visitor a trip by horseback or on foot to this section is well worth while. If a sufficient number are interested, a guide will be furnished for this all day trip.

Library.—A modest library of publications on the Southwest is available to those interested. No books may be loaned or taken from the library.

On the Sylvan Gorge Trail visitors view the beautiful falls of the Frijoles, beaver dams, and strange rock formations.

FACILITIES

The monument is closed to the public during the months of December, January, and February each year; but in season modern, low priced accommodations are available The traveler may stay for a day, or he may remain for weeks, making excursions to the scores of nearby points of interest. Modern pueblos, ancient Mexican settlements, cattle and sheep ranches, mountains, canyons, trout streams, and the largest extinct volcano in the world provide objectives for many days of exploring.

Cottages may be rented at prices ranging from $1.75. Rooms are available with or without bath or with connecting bath. Cabins are of stone construction, fully furnished with linen and blankets, hot and cold running water, oil heat and wood fireplaces, lavatory and closets. Fuel furnished free. Sample prices follow:

Cabin Group "A"

Room, without bath, one double bed
1 person, per day	$1.75
2 persons, per day	2.00
3 persons, per day (extra bed)	2.50
Room, with connecting bath, one double bed
1 person, per day	2.00
2 persons, per day	2.50
3 persons per day (extra bed)	3.00

Meals, table d'hote, are served at the following prices:

Breakfast, 50 to 75 cents; luncheon, 65 cents to $1; dinner, 75 cents to $1.25. A la carte meals are also available.

Campers' supplies, groceries, meats, gas and oil are obtainable at the Frijoles Canyon Lodge Store. Genuine examples of native Indian art and handicraft may be purchased in the lodge lobby.

Free Public Campgrounds.—Located among the trees along the shady south bank of the Rito de los Frijoles. only a short distance from the lodge and museum is the quiet, comfortable campground. Individual party camp sites have been arranged; a protecting screen of shrubbery contributes to the privacy of each. A stone fireplace, table with seats, and plenty of level ground for a tent are features of each camp site. Good water has been piped to convenient centers, and cut firewood is furnished without charge. Toilet facilities, showers, and laundry tubs are provided.

DO NOT DRIVE CARS OR WALK ON PLANTS OR SHRUBS
LEAVE YOUR CAMP SITE CLEAN WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED WITH IT

* * * * * *

Frijoles Canyon Lodge, one of the most distinctive hostelries in the Southwest, offers comfortable and modern accommodations at low cost.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

In order properly to care for the scenic and historic features of this national monument so that visitors of the future may enjoy them, it has been found necessary to establish certain rules and regulations. They have been kept to an essential minimum, and your cooperation is requested in enforcing them.

Camping.—An excellent campground is provided. Please use the auto parkingstalls and fireplaces. To build a fire in any other place, a permit must first be obtained from the custodian. Always put out your campfire before leaving it. No camping or picnicking is permitted outside the campgrounds.

Smoking.—Smoking is permitted except in times of unusually hazardous fire weather; but BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE AT ALL TIMES. A good rule is to break a match in two before dropping it, and to grind a discarded cigarette under your heel.

Fishing.—Fishermen must present New Mexico fishing licenses to the custodian before fishing. Worms must not be dug in the monument.

Firearms.—All national parks and national monuments are wildlife refuges, and hunting is strictly prohibited. Firearms may not be discharged in the monument, and permission must be obtained from the custodian before firearms can be brought in. Fireworks of all types are forbidden.

General Rules.—Do not pick wild flowers or disturb or harm any birds or animals.

Removal of Government property from the monument is prohibited.

Defacement of ruins, carving of initials on trees or Government property, or any other vandalism is prohibited.

To protect wildlife, cats and dogs must be kept on leash or in cars.

Trips to the ruins are restricted to parties in direct charge of a ranger. NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN RUINS EXCEPT IN COMPANY OF A RANGER.

Speed limit is 35 miles per hour from checking station to headquarters. Speed limit in campgrounds and headquarters area is 15 miles per hour.

The Government can assume no responsibility for the safe-keeping of personal property. All losses should be reported to the custodian with name and address of loser.

Persons guilty of disorderly conduct may be summarily removed from the monument by the custodian.

OBEY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS — HEAVY PENALTIES ARE PRESCRIBED FOR VIOLATIONS

For further information address the Custodian, Bandelier National Monument, Box 669, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

PUBLICATION

Persons interested in more detailed information regarding the prehistoric inhabitants of this area may obtain the following publications offered by the Southwestern Monuments Association. Proceeds from sales go to furnish libraries and promote research in this monument.

Prehistory of El Rito de los Frijoles, by J. W. Hendron——An accurate, readable account of recent archeological findings in Bandelier National Monument with a summary of earlier work. Well illustrated with photographs and drawings, including conjectural restorations of some of the ruins.

The Delight Makers, by Adolph F. A. Bandelier—An interesting and instructive story, particularly for persons who have seen the ruins about which the plot is built.

A Guide to Southwestern National Monuments.—Condensed information regarding location, accessibility, and facilities available at the various monuments of the Southwest.

Bandelier National Monument
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