Show ancient TOWERS IN SOUTHWEST prehistoric structures doubtless used for defensive purposes denver col in pre columbian das probably even before the period of the aztec and toltec peoples and at a time when a considerable portion of the southwestern part of this country now embraced within colorado utah and new mexico waa densely populated by a race well advanced in many ot the crude arts and industries constant warfare waa carried on between factions rival tribes or different races Is evidenced by gibraltar rock in southeastern utah the defensive positions picked put by the more peaceable inhabitants tor their dwellings in nearly every one of the ancient communal buildings can be found towers and lookouts with small windows or loopholes commanding all approaches pro aches usually the towers are a part of the main building but occasionally sio nally they are detached and stand oft at some distance and are built sufficiently high to afford a view ot the country on all sides one of these remarkable structures has been found in navajo canyon which Is included within the mesa verde national park in southwestern colorado the tower still stands on top of a sandstone cone about 30 feet high and Is perfectly cylindrical by tho aid of steps worn in the stone it la possible to climb to the tower and even to walk around it the walls are 24 inches thick and although their original height la not known those now in place are over nine feet higar this tower arising from the bottom of the canyon to an elevation about the surrounding rim corn a view of the adjacent mesa and was undoubtedly the viewpoint from which warnings of an approaching enemy could bo sent out to the cliff dwellers in the canyon below another remarkable lookout Is gib baltar house in ruin canyon just across the colorado utah line from the mesa verde national park like the round tower of canyon this structure overlooked great distances preventing a surprise from as approaching enemy considering the fact that about the only known weapons these pre people used were the bow and arrow and a spear like implement the ne cessley for the great fortresses and thick walls is quite unexplainable |