During the winter the Pawnee inhabited large villages of stationary
earth covered lodges. These measured 40 feet in diameter and 16 feet
in height at the maximum. Such structures housed several related
families. They were constructed as follows: the topsoil was removed
and a framework erected. Inclined short poles were placed to form
walls. Poles set on the inner and outer framework circles came to a
blunt peak, forming the roof. Brush and willow were used for horizontal
filling. Finally, hay and sod were heaped over the structure. Entrance
was by means of a passage some 12 feet long. In the center was a fire
basin about three feet in diameter. The floor was hardened by trampling
and beating, and mats were spread over it. Sleeping places were near
the walls on slightly raised platforms of willow rods, and were often
partitioned off with skins or mats.
Summer dwellings were tepees, 12-17 feet in diameter. Twelve to 20
poles formed the framework, and the cover was of bison hide, with
openings for the entrance and smokehole. On the ground around the
central hearth were laid mats and hides. Sweat houses were used in all
seasons. These consisted of a frame of willow withes about six feet in
diameter, covered with skins. Heated stones were sprinkled with water
to produce steam.