4
You are now standing on the upper of two terraces. Exactly what they were used for we are not sure, but they may have been “kitchen gardens” similar to those in use today in some of the Hopi villages.
Below the terraces to the right of Nalakihu, archeologists discovered an unusual group of 6 burials and 16 storage, roasting or burial pits. Most of the pits were jar-shaped, some had vertical sides, and there were two pit ovens with flues, sort of teapot-shaped, with the spout actually being the flue. Three of the six burials were those of infants in shallow pits, some lined with stone slabs. Only a bowl or a few sherds (pieces of broken pottery) were placed with them for grave offerings. These pits have been backfilled and are not visible today.
Archeologists work carefully to uncover a portion of collapsed roof.
Pits 9 and 10 in which a few sherds, and bones of common raven, bighorn, and mule deer were found.
Rocks standing on edge in Citadel Ruin are the remains of walls that collapsed intact.
The Sinagua buried their dead with the body extended full length while the Anasazi buried them in a flexed position with the knees drawn up toward the chest.
The people who used these pits may have attached religious significance to owls, for only owl bones were found here. Winona Ruins south of here along U. S. Highway 66 produced only hawk bones.
Please stay on the trail.