A portion of Atsinna. Part of the square kiva is shown at lower left
Now contrast this round kiva with the square kiva across the trail toward the northeast. Both kivas served the same functions, but they represent two different architectural styles or traditions in use at approximately the same time.
The box canyon as seen from its eastern end looking west
Looking out over Inscription Rock from the south
Atsinna was occupied during the 13th and 14th centuries. The reason for the abandonment of this site is not definitely known. Perhaps the Indians found that the growing seasons were too short at this elevation and they had too many crop failures. Apparently these people moved to the west, where they founded the several Zuñi villages known in historic times. There, around the present pueblo of Zuñi, the growing season is slightly longer and irrigation can be practiced, and possibly the soil is more fertile.
The prominent peak on the horizon to the south is called Cerro Alto, which is Spanish for high mountain. This peak is a volcanic cinder cone.
14.
The stones you see at this station were used for grinding corn after it had been dried and stored. The corn was placed on the large stone called metate and ground with the smaller stone called mano.