Floor Plan of the Great Kiva at the Aztec Ruins.

Satellite view of a covered Great Kiva and a smaller kiva plus additional rooms which historically may have contained burials, baskets, pottery and clothing dating to 1100.

Reconstructed interior of a kiva, showing a vault and a fire pit, in additional to an opening in the ceiling which may have served as an entrance.

Large "seating pits," or masonry wells which would have supported the enormous posts needed to hold up the roof. Attached to two of these pits were two vaults, or large stone boxes, which may have functioned as nurseries for the forced growing of vegetables, as sudatories (sweat baths) or as ceremonial foot drums.

The roof was constructed from downed timbers, straw and other local materials.

An example of a roofed kiva, part of the Anasazi culture, dating to 1100.