Casa Rinconada Kiva is an isolated great kiva (out of four in Chaco Canyon) half-sunk into the earth on a hill with all the typical elements of great kivas: a masonry firebox, an inner bench, four roof-supporting large seating pits, masonry vaults, and 34 niches,divided into two sizes, encircling the kiva. There is also an unusual 39 foot long underground passage, perhaps used in the ceremonies to allow performers sudden entry thus surprising the audience. It was dug out of the sandstone and shale that compose the ridge on which the kiva sits. aztecnm.com/aztec/r ... html to see pictures of a restored kiva (lower right pics)

chacoarchive.org/cr ... ada/