Granaries were built throughout the four corners area by the
various Indian groups. This granary in Mystery Valley is a typical example of Anasazi
and later Navajo storage structures. When grain was actually stored here, the entry
would be completely sealed, preventing rodents or pests from eating the grain, and
reducing spoilage. The Basketmakers stored grain in pits dug into the floors of caves
known as "cists". Cists were typically 2 feet deep and 2 to 6 feet across, lined
with thin stones cemented with adobe and shredded juniper.
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