Details of a Kiva...
See... Mother Earth Symbol... first.

		Kiva Interior... Pecos National Monument, New Mexico  This is a kiva at Pecos National Monument. The bench-like object is actually a combination wind deflector and storage area for ashes. The ashes were considered sacred and were later put in pots and buried to be stored.
The dark opening behind the deflector is where air enters the kiva from a ventilation stack (a chimney.)The air rises out of the kiva through the roof and air is drawn down the ventilator shaft. The deflector keeps the air from blowing the fire out.

Floor Plan and Section through a Kiva... Sipapu Fire Pit Deflector Ventilator Shaft		Floor Plan of a Mesa Verde Kiva...  The deflector blocks the cold air that come down the ventilator shaft and keeps the air from blowing out the fire.		Roof Plan of a Mesa Verde Kiva...  As the heat and smoke rises from the Kiva and exits through the opening for the ladder, cold air is drawn down the ventilator shaft. It is then heated and rises again.