AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES AND RESEARCHES INTO THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE RED RACE. BY ALEXANDER W. BRADFORD NEW-YORK : DAYTON AND SAXTON, Corner of Fulton and Nassau-streets. BOSTON: SAXTON AND PIERCE. 1841. c7/ 6?? I ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, by ALEXANDER W. BRADFORD, i n the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York. UNIVERSITY PRESS: JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER, 114 NASSAU- STREET. in AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES AND RESEARCHES INTO THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY RED RACE. CONTENTS. Page INTRODUCTION, 9 PART I. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. CHAPTER I. Indian Antiquities, 15 CHAPTER II. Ancient Remains in the United States, 21 CHAPTER III. The same subject continued, 34 CHAPTER IV. The same subject continued, . ' .... . . .51 CHAPTER V. Antiquities in Mexico and the adjacent States, . . . ^72 CHAPTER VI. Antiquities in South America, 123 PART II. RESEARCHES INTO THE ORIGIN AND HIS TORY OF THE RED RACE. CHAPTER I. Comparison of the Ancient Monuments, . . . . . 163 CHAPTER II. Ancient Civilization. Aboriginal Migrations, .... 172 CHAPTER III. Aboriginal Migrations, 199 8 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. The Routes of Migration, CHAPTER V. Ancient Navigation and the Drifting of Vessels, CHAPTER VI. The Origin of the Aborigines. Physical Appearance, CHAPTER VII. The same subject continued. Language, . CHAPTER VIII. The same subject continued. Astronomy, CHAPTER IX. The same subject continued. Religion, CHAPTER X. The same subject continued, . . . . CHAPTER XI. The Pyramids, CHAPTER XII. The Conclusion, . Page . 215 . 220 . 238 309 315 339 . 365 . 420 430 ERRATA. read Page 32, line 1, dele " 53, " 19, for 620, 74, " 21, " Teote, " 99, " 5, " Itzlan, " 200, . " 19, " Olmees, " 216, '< 19, " Dialogues, u 247, " U, " Barabba, " 265, " 17, " Forquemada, 371, " 27, " Propyloea, the. 120. Teotl. Itzalan. Olmees. Dialogue. Barabra. Torquemada. Propyla. PREFACE. ANTIQUARIAN writings have so often been exposed to the charge of being replete with improbable conjectures, and conclusions which vanish at the touch of sober reason, that this interesting class of his torical investigations seldom receives the perusal of the plain-think ing portion of the public. It was but just, therefore, to the subject of this work, to draw a line of distinction between facts, and the reason ing of the author upon those facts. For this reason, in the first por tion of this volume, with but few exceptions, I have strictly confined myself to a description of the ancient American monuments, pursuing, in as faithful a manner as was consistent with proper brevity, the lan guage of my authorities ; and thus affording to the reader an oppor tunity to frame his own conclusions, and to test the accuracy of mine. Mr. Stephens' travels in Central America were published so recently, that I have been unable to use them with advantage ; but they have been so extensively read, that this deficiency is of the less moment. In the second part of this work an attempt is made to solve some interesting problems of ancient aboriginal history. These involve topics of so diversified a character, are so extensive in their bearings, and are predicated upon so many and various proofs, that in many cases it was found incompatible with my proposed limits, to do more than illustrate the several propositions by a portion of the testimo nies. Many of them may therefore be considered as brief statements necessary to the chain of argument, and as capable of further proof. As to the conclusions which have been attained no one can be more alive than myself to the fact, that in many cases they are opposed to 6 PREFACE. the usually received opinions upon these subjects. In relation to the question of origin, no predisposition in favor of the result to which I have arrived, has influenced the investigation ; for, biased at the out set strongly towards the theory of a migration by Behring's straits, it was only at a later stage of the examination, and after a long strug gle, that I was forced to abandon this idea ; with what reason others must determine. After all, the inquiry, by what route the aborigines reached our shores, is one of minor importance. It is a fact upon which little depends ; in view of the extensive diffusion of the Red race over the eastern hemisphere, it cannot be of much consequence, whether they came across the Atlantic, or the southern or northern Pacific. In either case, by other proofs their antiquity is not less certain ; the primitive character of their institutions and civilization is not the less demonstrable ; and at the most, it could affect only some problems connected with their internal history. Few can be more sensible than myself of the imperfections of this work, or feel more its defects in point of research. Having had no opportunity of consulting several scarce authorities, I am aware that more light might have been thrown upon many of the points it dis cusses. My chief consolation has been, that even the humblest con tributions to so interesting and noble a theme would be received with kindness. Just criticism, however, is essential to the elucidation of truth, and is to be deprecated least of all upon topics still deeply en- enveloped in mystery and doubt. INTRODUCTION. THE term History, in its usual acceptation, is somewhat restricted in its scope and application. If its extent were strictly limited to authentic narratives and records, such have been the results of time, of accidents, and of barbarian violence, that only a small portion of the human race has preserved any very ancient written memorials ; and, with the exception of the historical facts contained in the Sacred Volume, we should be left in ignorance of the most important occurrences of the early ages of the world. Thus of necessity are mankind impelled, in the gratification of a laudable curiosity, to examine other chan nels by which the events of remote antiquity may have been transmitted, and to study and compare the languages, customs, traditions, science, religion and monuments of nations. It is true, researches of this character do not always afford certain and definite conclusions; but frequently this arises from the method of conducting the argument, or from the insufficiency of the data, and not necessarily from the essential nature of the testimony. And even when sound conclusions cannot be attained, the interest of the subject compensates, in some degree, for the want of success ; for these studies lead directly 2 10 INTRODUCTION. into the investigation of the greatest problems of human his tory the origin, affiliation, and migrations of nations, the progress of society, civilization, knowledge and religion. And if "the development of the human race is history," where is that development more clearly exhibited, than in the monuments, and in the civil and religious institutions of man kind ? The character of a people is to be read in their archi tectural productions, their dwellings unfold their domestic manners, and often the relative condition of different classes in society, the monuments erected to the memory of the illustri ous dead disclose those traits of humanity held in esteem and honor, the cemeteries tend to exhibit their belief as to a future existence, and the temples and places of worship to denote their religious ideas. Monumental antiquities perpetu ate also epochs and occurrences, as well as national character istics. Truth-telling remnants, which have escaped the ship wreck of time, or rather the organic remains of history, they often indicate those great changes and convulsions which have occurred, as well in the social as in the physical world, and expose in outline the leading events of primeval ages. Tradition and mythology are no 'less valuable aids in the elucidation of ancient history. Though, when isolated, of doubtful authority, in combination they cement and perfect an historical fabric, the parts of which, incomplete of themselves, are harmonized and strengthened by union. It is known that the mythological systems of the ancients were but the expres sion of certain religious ideas, sometimes interwoven with cos- mogonical philosophy, or were descriptive of real events trans formed into theological fables. In these, and in traditions, whereof some are as old as the deluge, should we search for INTRODUCTION. 11 the relics of the history of knowledge and civilization, to extri cate them from the mass of folly and superstition in which they are enshrouded. The ore lies deep, but not beyond reach ; and though, from the very nature of things, success cannot be imme diate, the difficulties to be encountered are such as more exten sive research may hereafter overcome. Nor should the inestimable worth of the results of such inquiries, when successful, be forgotten during the process of investigation. The details, often perhaps dry and wearisome, are still necessary steps in the progress towards a just conclu sion, and should be borne with patiently, as a portion of that burden which knowledge always imposes upon those engaged in her pursuit. Their gradual and successive development is just as essential, to the solution of these interesting questions, as were the slow, minute and laborious calculations of mathemati cians, to the discovery of the sublime truths of astronomy. Like the base of some ancient column, covered with fallen fragments almost defying the efforts of the explorer to restore it to its former light and glory, primitive history is hidden deep amid the gloom of time and the crumbling ruins of antiquity, to be revealed only by patient inquiry and unwearied zeal. These remarks are peculiarly applicable to the elucidation of American Aboriginal History, by means of the traditions, monuments and institutions of its native inhabitants. Investi gations of this character, always involving subjects of rational curiosity, replete with useful instruction, and of great moral and historical moment, rise in value and dignity when appertaining to the whole aboriginal population of a vast continent, probably untrodden by any other race of human beings, until a period comparatively recent in the annals of the world. And yet they 10 INTRODUCTION. into the investigation of the greatest problems of human his tory the origin, affiliation, and migrations of nations, the progress of society, civilization, knowledge and religion. And if "the development of the human race is history," where is that development more clearly exhibited, than in the monuments, and in the civil and religious institutions of man kind ? The character of a people is to be read in their archi tectural productions, their dwellings unfold their domestic manners, and often the relative condition of different classes in society, the monuments erected to the memory of the illustri ous dead disclose those traits of humanity held in esteem and honor, the cemeteries tend to exhibit their belief as to a future existence, and the temples and places of worship to denote their religious ideas. Monumental antiquities perpetu ate also epochs and occurrences, as well as national character istics. Truth-telling remnants, which have escaped the ship wreck of time, or rather the organic remains of history, they often indicate those great changes and convulsions which have occurred, as well in the social as in the physical world, and expose in outline the leading events of primeval ages. Tradition and mythology are no 'less valuable aids in the elucidation of ancient history. Though, when isolated, of doubtful authority, in combination they cement and perfect an historical fabric, the parts of which, incomplete of themselves, are harmonized and strengthened by union. It is known that the mythological systems of the ancients were but the expres sion of certain religious ideas, sometimes interwoven with cos- mogonical philosophy, or were descriptive of real events trans formed into theological fables. In these, and in traditions, whereof some are as old as the deluge, should we search for INTRODUCTION. 11 the relics of the history of knowledge and civilization, to extri cate them from the mass of folly and superstition in which they are enshrouded. The ore lies deep, but not beyond reach ; and though, from the very nature of things, success cannot be imme diate, the difficulties to be encountered are such as more exten sive research may hereafter overcome. Nor should the inestimable worth of the results of such inquiries, when successful, be forgotten during the process of investigation. The details, often perhaps dry and wearisome, are still necessary steps in the progress towards a just conclu sion, and should be borne with patiently, as a portion of that burden which knowledge always imposes upon those engaged in her pursuit. Their gradual and successive development is just as essential, to the solution of these interesting questions, as were the slow, minute and laborious calculations of mathemati cians, to the discovery of the sublime truths of astronomy. Like the base of some ancient column, covered with fallen fragments almost defying the efforts of the explorer to restore it to its former light and glory, primitive history is hidden deep amid the gloom of time and the crumbling ruins of antiquity, to be revealed only by patient inquiry and unwearied zeal. These remarks are peculiarly applicable to the elucidation of American Aboriginal History, by means of the traditions, monuments and institutions of its native inhabitants. Investi gations of this character, always involving subjects of rational curiosity, replete with useful instruction, and of great moral and historical moment, rise in value and dignity when appertaining to the whole aboriginal population of a vast continent, probably untrodden by any other race of human beings, until a period comparatively recent in the annals of the world. And yet they 12 INTRODUCTION. unfold a page in history possessing no startling dramatic inter est, adorned with none of the glare and tinsel of the eccentrici ties of genius, unemblazoned with the achievements of ambition, and diversified with none of the thrilling incidents of personal adventure ; but they rather appeal to the unbeguiled judgment of the reason by their intrinsic worth, as the only method, in the absence of higher testimony, of obtaining any just deduc tions, as restoring the lost and broken link of ancient connection between the old and new worlds, and as tending to perfect that chain, by which all mankind are traced to one head and bound together by the ties of a common origin. It is with deep impressions of this nature, that the future exploration of Ameri can antiquities should be urged ; for we are as yet but upon the threshold, and though sufficient has already been unveiled for some rational conclusions, the cause of philosophy and know ledge demands a more accurate, thorough and extensive exam ination of monuments that are fast yielding to the despoiling hand of man and the attacks of time. From the vague and often exaggerated descriptions of some of the early travellers, and from the conduct of the conquerors of the semi-civilized nations of Mexico, Central America, Bogota and Peru, infor mation of incalculable value has been lost to us. It is impos sible without the deepest regret and indignation to revert to that period, when ancient pictorial manuscripts were burned, idols, images and planispheres destroyed or buried in the earth, temples levelled with the ground and cities razed all from the lowest motives of policy, or from the blind zeal of superstition. A frightful chasm has thus been made in the primitive history of this continent, irremediable if we contemplate merely the immense number of Mexican picture-writings that were wick- INTRODUCTION. 13 edly destroyed. It is possible, however, yet to remedy in a great measure the evil, so far as occasioned by this wanton demolition of architectural and monumental structures, by a careful examination of those which have escaped the violence of the Spanish conquest; and the subject is one eminently worthy of American enterprise. To embody and collate the descriptions of the most remarkable of the ancient remains and ruins scattered over the continent ; to compare the traditions, manners, customs, arts, language, civilization and religion of its aboriginal inhabitants, internally, and with those of other nations ; and thence to deduce the origin of the American race and its subsequent migrations, in a word, to attempt the deter mination of a portion of its unwritten history, is the object of this work ; and if, in any event, it shall serve to stimulate curi osity and inquiry upon this interesting subject, at least one important purpose will have been accomplished. PART J. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES, CHAPTER I. INDIAN ANTIQUITIES. THE ancient remains of art existing in America may be divided into two great classes, differing in style, character and importance. The first class comprehends those of more recent origin, which have manifestly proceeded from an uncivilized people, and which may be traced throughout the whole extent of the continent. They possess the same uniformity of charac ter, that distinguishes the manners and institutions of all the barbarous Indian tribes, and most of them are doubtless of Indian construction. They consist chiefly of ornaments, rude inscriptions, and paintings not unlike the semi-hieroglyphic symbols at present employed by some of the aboriginal nations, and of such implements of warfare and domestic use, as are adapted to the wants of savage life ; and yet they exhibit indi cations of that mechanical talent and dexterity which have been observed as a peculiar trait of nearly all the American natives.* * Archaeologia Americana, vol. i. pp. 112, 113, 114. Bracken- ridge's Journal, p. 153. 16 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. Specimens of aboriginal art and ingenuity are being con tinually disinterred, in the progress of the cultivation of newly occupied lands, and they vary but slightly from those fabricated by the present tribes, evincing no evidences of a superior state of society. Their proximity to the surface of the earth affords one clue to distinguish them from such as can boast of a higher antiquity, which are usually found some distance beneath the soil. The domestic utensils, flint arrow-heads, stone ornaments, pipes, chisels, knives and tomahawks thus brought to light sel dom surpass, in workmanship and design, those of acknowledged Indian manufacture, and of more modern date. An inferior kind of earthenware is of very usual occurrence, but its compo sition is more rude, and its execution less finished than those of the ancient pottery, while it does not excel such as the Indians have been accustomed to construct.* There are no indications of any military or architectural structures, exhibiting much art, which can be clearly assigned to the present tribes.f Some fortifications and intrenchments have been ascribed to them, but merely by conjecture; and their dwellings are usually formed of the most fragile materials. The Esquimaux afford, however, an exception in the latter particular ; for the remains of their habitations are frequently to be observed in small rude circles of rough stones, and trenched divisions of ground in a circular form.J Their method of con- * Drake's Picture of Cincinnati, p. 200. Charlevoix's Voyage, vol. ii. p. 93. " The nations of the south had only vessels of baked earth to dress their meat." Charlevoix, ibid. f Description of Ohio, Louisiana, &c., p. 172. Pike's Expedition, p. 56. J Back's Narrative, p. 253. Parry's Second Voyage, p. 15. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 17 structing their huts is also worthy of notice. They are built with blocks of snow, in the shape of a dome, each block being cut with great regularity and art, into the shape requisite to form a substantial arch, and having no support whatever but what this principle supplies.* It may be remarked, also, that the Esquimaux are accustomed to place stones and slabs in an upright position, in every conspicuous spot, some of which have been compared to obelisks. Similar monuments have been observed in other districts of the continent ; but they are all unhewn, extremely rude, and bear no inscriptions.! Many of the tumuli formed of earth, and occasionally of stones, are of Indian origin, and they may generally be distin guished by their inferior dimensions, and isolated situations. They are mostly sepulchral mounds : either the general ceme tery of a village or tribe ; funeral monuments over the grave of an illustrious chief, or upon a battle-field, commemorating the event and entombing the fallen; or the result of a custom, prevalent among some of the tribes, of collecting at stated in tervals the bones of the dead, and interring them in a common repository. A mound of the latter description was formerly situated on the low grounds of the Rivanna river, in Virginia, opposite the site of an old Indian village.J It was forty feet in diameter and twelve in height, of a spheroidal form, and sur rounded by a trench, whence the earth employed in its erection had been excavated. The circumstances indicating the custom alluded to, were the great number of skeletons, their confused position, their situation in distinct strata exhibiting different * Parry's Second Voyage, p. 34. t Back's Narrative, p. 273. Hodgson's Travels, vol. ii. App. p. 434. I Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, pp. 100, 103. 3. 18 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. stages of decomposition, and the appearance of the bones of infants. A mound of similar character, and constructed in layers or strata at successive periods, existed near the south branch of the Shenandoah, in the same state. There are other tumuli ascribed to the Indians, consisting of stones thrown rudely together, but they are less frequent than those formed of earth. One of these, upon the Blue Ridge, upon being opened was found to contain human bones ; and another, in New York, is said to have marked the grave of a distinguished warrior.* The size of all of them is not invariably diminutive, as we are informed that Fort Watson, in South Carolina, was built upon the summit of one upwards of thirty feet in height ;f and, according to an authentic report, a mound of the largest dimensions has been thrown up within a few years, in Illinois, over the remains of an eminent chief.J So materially have the customs and institutions of the In dians been changed since the discovery, that most of these tumuli are of considerable age, and it has even been doubted, whether they were constructed by the immediate ancestors of the present Indians ; but it appears, from a very respectable authority, that many tribes still continue to this day to raise a tumulus over the grave, the magnitude of which is proportioned to the rank and celebrity of the deceased.^ We find these mounds scattered at intervals over the surface of both Americas, from the country of * Macauley's History of New York, vol. ii. p. 239. t Ramsay's History of the United States, vol. ii. p. 34. | Beck's Gazetteer, p. 308. James, vol. ii, p. 1. Description of the Red River, p. 152. Brackenridge's View of Louisiana, p. 137. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 19 the Esquimaux to that of the Fuegians ;* and though neither by their size nor their contents, do they impress us with a high opinion of the civilization of their authors, still they shed some light upon their ancient history. If the Indians are the branches and descendants of a more civilized people, and have retrograded from a higher condition of society an opinion supported by many curious facts we may expect to find the greatest differ ences between them, and their more civilized ancestors, in such circumstances as are always affected by a change in mode of life ; and to discover the strongest signs of affinity, if any, in religious belief, and in such customs as are arbitrary, and not the spontaneous and natural growth of a particular state of society. Accordingly we can trace a few such resemblances in their productions of art, and in their domestic manners ; but the moment we contemplate their religion, and, above all, their method of disposing of the dead and their sepulchral monuments, a great and striking uniformity is exhibited. Reverence for the dead, though it be a feeling common to all mankind, and natural to the human heart, is a most marked and distinguishing trait in the character of the members of the Red race not however as a sentiment, but as a religious and mystic feeling, springing less from the kindly affections of the soul, than from a supersti tious impression, deeply imprinted in the very elements of their character. Even among such barbarous native tribes, as possess the lowest estimate of social virtues and duties, and. as are char acterized by the most savage indifference and selfishness in all the near and tender relations of life, the moment the spirit has left the body, a new chord seems to be struck in the hearts of * Parry's Voyages. Silliman. 20 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. the survivors, and those, who were neglected and perhaps hated when living, are venerated in death ; and thus monuments have been reared over the bones of the departed, which, when alive and in the full tide of successful power and commanding influ ence, they could not have extorted as tributes of respect or obedience. Amid the barren waste of Indian apathy, here is a green spot whereon to rest the eye a singular exception to that impenetrable, obdurate stoicism, possessed by them, in com mon with the more cultivated nations of the same race. Herein we perceive the reason, why the tumuli are the only monuments of the Indians ; for with this religious feeling, as transmitted to them from their forefathers, they have also preserved the custom of erecting sepulchral mounds. In this view, these rude monu ments are of important consideration ; for, appearing alike, among the remains of art, and in the seats of the ancient civil ized nations, and in remote regions whither civilization never penetrated, they develope one of the arguments tending to establish the common origin of all the American aborigines, whether barbarous or cultivated. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 21 CHAPTER II. ANCIENT REMAINS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE next, and perhaps the only legitimate class of American antiquities, affords unquestionable proofs of an origin from na tions of great cultivation. Though all of them are assimilated by many striking general resemblances, still their local position and some characteristic differences suggest a ternary division, into such as have been discovered, 1st, within the territory of the United States; 2d, in Central America, Mexico and the adjoining provinces ; and 3d, in Peru and other parts of South America. 1. The ancient remains of the United States bear evident marks of being the production of a people, elevated far above the savage state. Many of them indicate great elegance of taste, and a high degree of dexterous workmanship and me chanical skill, in their construction ; others betoken the exist ence of a decided form of religious worship ; while the size and extent of the earthen fortifications and mounds demonstrate the former existence of populous nations, capable of executing works of enormous dimensions, requiring perseverance, time and combination of labor for their erection. A detail of these vestiges of that vast population, which once occupied the richest agricultural portion of our country, though minute and circumstantial, cannot be devoid of interest ; and in 22 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. any event these relics demand attention, as the monuments of an ancient and perhaps enlightened species of the human race, whence, in the absence of clearer testimony, we must endeavor to gather materials for their history. The first class of these antiquities is composed of articles of mechanical workmanship, which have most frequently been discovered within the graves, mounds, and mural remains ; and of other objects, of a miscellaneous character. The art of pottery is one of very early invention, as fragments of earthenware are found among the oldest ruins of the world. Its productions, though fragile, have withstood the effects of time more durably than the most massive structures, and specimens still exist entire, coeval in date with the remotest periods of civilization. Those found in the United States, of ancient construction, are of differ ent qualities and dimensions some, by estimate from fragments, having been of large capacity.* The chalk banks below the mouth of the Ohio river have contained several of great merit in execution, and a pitcher, which has been discovered there, is said to resemble the Scyphus of the ancients.f Its model was the bottle-gourd ; the neck is moulded in imitation of that of a woman with clubbed hair ; the outlet resembles a distorted human mouth; and the whole vessel, though formed by the hand, is modelled with great nicety and precision.! An earthen vessel found at Nashville, Tennessee, twenty feet below the surface, is described as being circular, with a flat bottom rounding upwards, and terminating at the summit in the figure of a female head. The features of the face are * Flint's Recollections, p. 166. f Ibid, pp. 173, 174. | Archseologia Americana, vol. i. p. 214. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 23 Asiatic, the head is covered by a conical cap, and the ears are large, extending as low as the chin. The most curious speci men of pottery is that denominated the Triune-vessel, which was disinterred from the earth, near an ancient work upon the Cumberland river.* It consists of three heads, joined together at the back, near the top, by a hollow stem or bottle. The heads are of the same dimensions, and represent very accurately three different countenances, two appearing young and the other old. The faces are partly painted with red and yellow, the colors still preserving great brilliancy. The features are distinguished by thick lips, high cheek-bones, the absence of a beard, and the pointed shape of the head. An idolf discovered in a tumulus at Nashville presents the figure of a man without arms, and the nose and chin mutilated. The head is covered with a fillet and cake, and the hair is plaited : The composition is of fine clay mixed with gypsum. Colored medalsj representing the sun with its rays, other idols of various forms, and urns containing calcined human bones, some modelled after the most elegant and graceful patterns, have been found in the mounds. The fragments of earthenware, discovered at great depths near the western salt-works, are often of immense size. A large vessel, of coarse description, has been found there, eighty feet below the surface, of capacity to hold -ten gallons ; while others have been excavated at greater depths, and of larger dimensions. Within a mound lately opened at Lancaster, in Ohio, upon a furnace disposed at the level of the earth, there rested the largest ancient vessel yet discovered. It was eighteen feet long, six * Archseologia Americana, vol. i. p. 238. t Ibid. vol. i. p. 211. J Ibid. vol. i. p. 243. 24 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. broad, composed of clay .and broken shells, and moulded on both sides with much smoothness.* These articles of pottery vary much in their structure. The material is either simply clay that substance united with pul verized sandstone or calcareous matter or a composition, as well calculated, as our chemical vessels, to encounter a high degree of heat, and formed upon scientific principles.! Some of them appear to have been painted before burning, are skil fully wrought and polished, well glazed and burned, and are inferior to our own manufactures in no respect. There exist other specimens, of ancient origin, corroborating this view of the chemical knowledge of their authors. At Hamburg, in the state of New York, within an urn in the interior of a mound, curious beads have been found deposited, consisting of transpa rent green glass, covered with an opaque red enamel, beneath which and in the tube of the bead was a beautiful white enamel, indicative of great art in its formation-! On opening an old grave at Big River, in the state of Missouri, whose antiquity was sufficiently attested by a heavy growth of forest trees over the spot, beads of similar shape, appearance and composition have also been brought to light. The bricks discovered in the mounds appear to have been formed after the modern method, and are well burnt; those found in the ancient fortifications are of similar construction and appearance, with the exception of possessing a lighter color. * Trans. Fairfield Co. Med. Soc. f Schoolcraft's Mississippi, p. 202. | Schoolcraft's View of the Mines and Minerals of the West, &c. p. 280. Ibid. pp. 169, 283. Beck's Gazetteer, p. 261. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 25 The art of working in stone, and other hard substances, was carried to a considerable degree of perfection by this people ; and beads of bone and shell, carved bones, and hewn and sculptured stones are by no means rare. Their weapons and implements were often formed from the oldest and hardest of rocks ; and arrow-heads, axes and hatchets of granite, and horn blende, nicely cut and polished, are of frequent occurrence. The covers of some of the urns are composed of calcareous breccia, skilfully wrought ;* the pieces of stone worn as orna ments, and found interred with the dead, have been drilled and worked into precise shapes, and the pipe-bowls are adorned with beautifully carved reliefs.f An idol of stone, representing the human features, has been found at Natchez, the sculptured head and beak of a rapacious bird in a mound at Cincinnati, and an owl carved in stone at Columbus, Ohio. The most sin gular of these sculptures has been discovered on the banks of the Mississippi, near St. Louis. This is a tabular mass of limestone bearing the impression of two human feet. The rock is a com pact limestone of grayish-blue color, containing the encrinite, echinite, and other fossils. The feet are quite flattened, but the muscular marks are delineated with great precision. Immedi ately before the feet lies a scroll, sculptured in a similar style.J The opinion sometimes entertained, that these are actual impressions of the human feet, made upon a soft substance subsequently indurated, is incorrect; on the contrary, they are undoubtedly the result of art, and exhibit an extraordi- / * Archaeologia Americana, vol. i. p. 227. t Ibid. vol. i. p. 230. { Schoolcraft. 4 26 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. nary analogy with similar appearances in Asia and in Central America.* Ancient inscriptions upon rocks have also been observed. Dr. Barton examined some, on a large stratum of rock upon the east shore of the Ohio, about fifty miles below Pittsburg, and found them in great numbers, and apparently " the work of a people acquainted with the use of iron instruments, or with hardened metallic instruments of some kind."f Upon one of the branches of the Tennessee river are per pendicular rocks, on which, more than one hundred feet above the present high-water mark, are representations of beasts > birds, and other figures. J Near the confluence of the Elk and Kenhawa rivers, in the western part of Virginia, Bishop Madison observed some re markable remains of sculpture. Upon the surface of a rock of freestone lying on the margin of the river, about twelve feet in length and nine in breadth, he saw the outlines of several figures, cut without relief, except in one instance, and somewhat larger than the life. The depth of the outline was about half an inch, and its width three quarters, nearly, in some places. " In one line, ascending from the part of the rock nearest the river, there is a tortoise ; a spread eagle executed with great expression, particularly the head, to which is given a shallow relief; and a child, the outline of which is very well drawn. In a parallel line there are other figures, but among them that of a woman only can be traced : these are very indistinct. Upon the side * It is asserted that similar sculptures have been found elsewhere in Missouri. N. Am. Review. t Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. vol. iv. p. 195. t Ib. vol. iii. p. 219. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 27 of the rock there are two awkward figures which particularly caught my attention. One is that of a man, with his arms uplifted and hands spread out, as if engaged in prayer. His head is made to terminate in a point, or rather he has the appearance of something upon the head of a triangular or coni cal form : near to him is another singular figure, suspended by a cord fastened to his heels." "A turkey, badly executed, with a few other figures, may also be seen. The labor and the per severance requisite to cut those rude figures in a rock, so hard that steel appeared to make but little impression upon it, must have been great, much more so than making of enclosures in a loose and fertile soil."* Many metallic remains have also been discovered among the ancient ruins, some quite perfect, and others in a state of decomposition. Copper appears to have been in the most gen eral use. It has been found in the mounds, either in irregular masses or worked into various forms, and sometimes plated with silver. Arrow-heads, bracelets, circular plates or medals, beads, a cross, and pipe-bowls, all composed of this metal, have been disinterred from the tumuli.f !0ne of the ancient mounds at Marietta, Ohio, was situated on the margin of a stream, which had gradually washed away the surrounding soil and part of the structure itself, when a silver cup was observed in the side of the mound. Its form was extremely simple, and resembled some of the earthenware pat terns, being an inverted cone. It consisted of solid silver, its surfaces were smooth and regular, and its interior was finely gilded.J * Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. vol. vi. pp. 141, 142. t Arch. Am. vol. i. p. 224. J Schoolcraft's View, p. 276. 28 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. In Salem, Washington county, Ohio, it is said that ancient marks of tools have been observed upon pieces of rock, and that in one mass of stone an iron wedge has been discovered, firmly imbedded.* Except from this instance, and the occa sional presence of pieces of oxidized iron in the mounds, we have no evidence showing directly whether this valuable metal was in use. In Liberty, Washington county, Ohio, are the ruins of several stone furnaces, constructed with hearths of clay, and containing pieces of mineral coal and cinders.f It has been thought that the purpose of these works was explained by their locality in a rich iron region ; but this is the only reason for conjecturing they were used in the manufacture of iron, and one manifestly of slight weight. The wedge of iron found at Salem, in the same county, was probably not of ancient origin ; at least, it needs very accurate and close examination before so important a fact can be admitted. Candor seems to demand, notwithstanding the exertions made to establish the use of iron among the authors of the mounds and fortifications, that the supposition is supported by no positive testimony, and by little that is even reasonably conjectural ; while at the same time we should be careful, in deciding so interesting a question, to bear in mind that the perishable nature of this metal, when exposed to the atmosphere or moisture, would probably have destroyed all vestiges of its use at the distant period when the mounds were erected. Circumstances favor the idea, that the authors of the western antiquities were in the habit of working many of the salt springs, for the manufacture of that article.! At the state salt-works in * Delafield's Topographical Description, p. 28. t Ib. p. 28. j Van Rensselaer's Essay. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 29 Illinois occurs a large excavation, four hundred feet in circumfer ence, in which a deep well has formerly been sunk. In digging at this place, ashes, and fragments of pottery were discovered in great abundance ; and a drain has been found, so connected with the works, as to justify the inference of its being intended to carry away the surplus water. The earthenware found here is at vast depths below the surface, and it resembles in com position the specimens occurring in the ancient mounds. At Harrisonville, in St. Clair county, and near the Ohio saline, the presence of broken pottery and other appearances authorize similar conclusions ; particularly the shape of the vessels, which may very well have served as evaporators.* The antiquities discovered in the western caves are of a remarkable character, and have excited much speculation. They cannot be ascribed to the present tribes of Indians, in con sequence of the very general reverence in which caverns are held by them. They view them with deeply superstitious feel ings, esteeming them as the residence of the Great Spirit, and never appearing there for any other purpose, than for the occa sional celebration of solemn, religious festivals.! In the saltpetre caves of Gasconade county, Missouri, axes, hammers and other implements have been found, which are probably of identical origin with some ancient works in the vicinity. Below the falls of St. Anthony is another cavern, distinguished for its great length, and called, in the Indian language, " The dwell ing of the Great Spirit." The walls are composed of a soft stone, easily yielding to the knife, and they contain many hie- * Beck's Gazetteer, pp. 68, 118. f Ib. pp. 43, 98, 234. Carver's Travel's, p. 48. 30 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. roglyphical figures, so covered with moss and defaced by time, as to be traced with great difficulty.* Within the saltpetre cave in Warren county, Tennessee, two bodies have been discovered, interred in a sitting posture in baskets made of cane, the hip joints dislocated, and the legs brought up close to the body. One of them was a male and the other a female. Great care had manifestly been taken to secure them a durable preservation, and at the period of discov ery the flesh, teeth, hair and nails were still entire. They were enveloped in dressed deer-skins, and in a species of cloth, of firm texture, woven from the fibres of the nettle, or from bark, and overlaid with the most brilliant feathers of various hues, symmetrically arranged ; another covering, of undressed deer skin, succeeded, and the exterior wrapper was cloth of the same kind, but unornamented. The female had a fan in her hand, composed of turkey feathers so disposed, that it might be opened and closed.f Human bodies have been discovered near the Cumberland river, in the same state ; in the nitrous caves near Glasgow, and in the Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky ; all placed in the same sitting position, clothed in skins and cloths of various textures, inlaid with feathers the bodies remaining in a high state of preservation, and the hair generally of a color varying from brown to yellow and red.J This last peculiarity has given rise to many fanciful conjectures concerning the race to which * Carver's Travels, p. 48. t Hayward's Tennessee, vol. ii. p. 163. Flint's Recollections, p. 173. Archseologia Americana, vol. i. p. 303. J Medical Repository, vol. xv, p. 187. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 31 the skeletons may be ascribed.* Within the same caves many other miscellaneous articles have been found, far below the surface, such as bows and arrows, earthenware, fishing nets, cloths, mats, cane baskets, beads, wooden cups, moccasons of bark, various utensils and relics indicative of the character of the deceased with whom they were buried ; and, more singular still, the bones of the peccari or Mexican hog, an animal not indigenous to the United States, but belonging to the more southern climates. In general, these caves have been great cemeteries of the dead, for bodies are being continually disin terred from the earth within them, and more than a hundred human skulls have been counted in one cave, within a space of twenty feet square.f With regard to the color of the hair observed upon these bodies, it has been unreasonably considered, as sustaining the theory of the European origin of the ancient inhabitants of the west. The probabilities are, however, that its original hue was black, and that the change to its present appearance is owing to the chemical action of the saltpetrous earth in which the bodies were deposited.! In corroboration of this view, some human remains found in Peruvian sepulchres may be referred to : several of these tombs examined in 1790, by the Spaniards, contained bodies in an entire condition, but withered and dried, and the hair of a red color. From their position and other accompanying circumstances, they were undoubtedly the re- * Archseologia Americana, vol. i. p. 304. f Silliman's Journal, vol. i. p. 622. J A similar phenomenon has sometimes been observed in the appearance of the Egyptian mummies, the hair having been changed in color, from black to red. Wilkinson's Egypt, p. 370. 32 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. mains of the Peruvian Indians, the change in the hair having probably arisen from the character of the soil, it being strongly impregnated with saline matter.* The graves of the ancient inhabitants appear usually in the vicinity of the earthen remains and mounds, and when they are not within tumuli, frequently consist of a rude species of stone coffin, in which the deceased has been interred in a sitting pos ture. Such are the graves in Missouri, upon the Merrimack river, concerning which so much speculation has been indulged.f They were a short distance from several mounds, and a ruined earthen rampart. The coffins were formed of six pieces of flat stone, were from twenty-three to fifty inches in length, and situated upon small hillocks. The skeletons were mostly de cayed, or in such fragments as to render it somewhat difficult to ascertain their size and position. In one instance, however, the leg bones were found lying parallel with the thigh, a cir cumstance explaining the diminutive size of the graves. Simi lar graves have been opened and examined, in Tennessee, and in other parts of the western country ,J all indicating that the body has not been disposed lengthwise, but placed with the legs drawn together close to the body, so as to occupy a very small compass. Nothing further need be said in relation to the idea of the Lilliputian stature of the ancient inhabitants. Other tombs have disclosed bones, which, from their size, have sug gested the belief in a former race of giants an opinion equally unfounded with the one just referred to, which it so strongly contradicts. Numerous other articles have been discovered in the prose- * MS. Travels. f Beck's Gazetteer, p. 274. t Scientific Tracts, vol. iii. p. 157. Beck's Gazetteer, p. 261. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 33 cution of antiquarian researches in the regions of the west, but they afford no additional light concerning the state of the arts, or the customs, of those extinct nations from whom they have proceeded. 34 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. CHAPTER III. ANCIENT REMAINS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE second class of Antiquities in the United States, proceed ing from the same ancient people, exhibits, in an extended view, decisive proof of the immense numbers and advanced social condition of their authors. It comprehends the Mural Remains, or enclosures formed by earthen embankments and trenches ; which appear most numerously in the district bordering upon the Mississippi and its branches, and in the vicinity of the great lakes and their tributaries ; though they may be found stretching at intervals from New-York to Florida, and from the Territory west of the Mississippi to the Alleghanies. A detail of some of the most remarkable ruins of this character, though exposed to a charge of tediousness, is highly important in developing a just and correct idea of the power and population of the former inhabitants of our country. The first work of this description meriting attention in the state of New- York, is one formerly existing on the Genessee river, which enclosed an area of about six acres. It was sur rounded on three sides by a ditch running in a circular direction, which was intersected by six entrances ; on the other quarter a high bank formed a natural defence, through which a covered way led down to a neighboring stream. At a short distance to the south were similar works defended by a deeper fosse, and AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 35 disposed upon a more eminent and inaccessible situation, com bining artificial with natural advantages.* On the river Tonawande there was a place distinguished in the Seneca tongue by a word signifying " the double fortified town," or " a town with a fort at each end." These forts were separated by an interval of two miles ; the one containing about four, and the other eight acres of land. The ditch encompassing a part of the former was six feet deep, a stream and a high bank, bisected by a covered way to the water, defending the remaining portion. The northern fortification was on elevated ground, and in proximity to it was a sepulchral mound, six feet in height, twenty-five feet in diameter, and containing bones, which appeared projecting in many places from its sur face. The remains of another fortified town, containing more than jfae hundred acres, formerly existed in Pompey, Onondaga county : three circular or elliptical forts, disposed in a triangle, and distant from each other about eight miles, were its out- works.f At Camillus, in the same county, there were a few years since two elliptical forts, with gates, and with covered ways to the adjacent water. Another formerly stood upon the Seneca river, which was in the form of a parallelogram, two hundred and twenty yards in length, and fifty-five in breadth, with gates opening on either side, towards the river, and to the country. In its vicinity was a mound or elevation in the shape of a crescent, with its extremities turned towards the fort.J At least a hundred of these fortifications have been perceived in this state, stretching from the Delaware, through the region * Kirkland's MSS., cited in Yates and Moulton's Hist, of New- York, vol. i. p. 16. f Clinton's Memoir. t New- York Magazine, 1792. 36 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. occupied by the small lakes, to the ancient shores of lakes Onta rio and Erie. They are mostly of regular forms, oblong, cir cular, triangular, or elliptical, generally overgrown with large forest trees, and placed near streams or other bodies of water. With one doubtful exception, none have been found between the ancient beaches of Lakes Erie and Ontario and their present shores, though many of them run parallel with the former line of the lakes, a circumstance favoring the idea of their high antiquity.* On the south side of lake Erie there is a series of these fortifications or enclosures extending, at intervals of a few miles, as far as the Pennsylvania boundary line ; nor do they terminate there, but in that state also they occur in great num bers, to the westward of the Alleghany ridge, and are of a similar character with those just described, possessing no marks of peculiar difference.! In the western part of Virginia, these traces of the ancients may also be observed, particularly in that region which borders on the tributaries of the Ohio, and upon the low grounds of the Elk, Guyandot and Kenhawa rivers.J Near Wheeling there are appearances of fortifications or enclosures, commencing in the vicinity of the mounds upon Grave creek, and continuing at intermediate distances for ten or twelve miles along the banks of the Ohio. They consist of square and circular entrenchments communicating with each other, of ditches, walls and mounds, and a broad causeway leading from the largest enclosure to wards the neighboring hills.|| * Clinton's Memoir on the Antiquities of the Western part of New-York. f Arch. Amer., vol. i. p. 309. J Trans. Am. Phil. Soc., vol. vi. p. 134. Ibid. vol. iii. p. 215. || Silliman's Journal, vol. vi. p. 166. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 37 Passing further to the south and into the state of Georgia, upon the banks of Little river, a branch of the Savannah, not far from the town of Wrightsborough, "many very magnificent monuments of the power and industry of the ancient inhabit ants " have been remarked by an intelligent traveller.* They consist of a stupendous conical pyramid, vast tetragon terraces, and a large sunken or excavated area of a cubical form, encom passed with banks of earth, and also traces of an extensive town. Upon the east bank of the Ocmulgee river, eighty miles above its confluence with the Oconee, upon the heights of the low grounds, are vestiges of an ancient town, such as artificial mounts or terraces, squares, and embankments encircling consi derable areas. On the west bank of the Altamaha, nearly opposite to Da- rien,f are the remains of an ancient earthen structure. It is a regular tetragon terrace four feet high, with bastions at each angle, and surrounded with a ditch enclosing about an acre of ground. On the Savannah river, just above Petersburgh, upon a level plain near the bank of the river, are other ruins, consisting of several mounds and four square terraces.J The largest mound is conical, fifty feet high, eight hundred feet in circumference at the base, and its summit is truncated. A spiral path leads to the top, and there are four niches excavated out of the sides, at different heights, and fronting the cardinal points. Several mounds of inferior dimensions are disposed around it, and also * Bartram's Travels, p. 37. f Ibid. p. 52. I Ibid. p. 323. 38 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. some terraces, three hundred feet square and from six to ten feet high* On the Chattahooche, upon a peninsula formed by the doubling of the river, there are mounds and enormous quadran gular terraces ; in front of one of the latter is an extensive square enclosure surrounded with an earthen wall.f Upon the Etowah river is an excavation which sweeps in a large section of land, by bending towards the water in the form of a semi-circle ; there are no embankments, and the en trances to the interior are made by interruptions of the exca vated ditch, at certain regular intervals.J Many other groups of similar ruins occur in this state and in Alabama, and they seem to present a continuation of those existing in Florida, connecting them, in a northerly course, with the ancient remains in Tennessee and Ohio. Florida abounds in these relics of antiquity. Near Lake George formerly stood a large mound ; and in its vicinity were fields appearing to have been anciently cultivated, and also oak, palm, and orange groves. From this mound, two parallel walls, fifty yards asunder, led in a straight line to the verge of an oblong artificial lake distant three quarters of a mile.|| Upon one of the islands of Lake George, are the remains of * Bartram's Travels, p. 31. f Ibid. p. 388. % Silliman's Journal, vol. i. p. 322. " I was informed, by a gentleman in Tennessee, of the existence of a singular and antique stone fort on the summit of a mountain, in Franklin county, Alabama, near Little Bear Creek, a tributary of Tennessee river but have never read any notice of it." Latrobe's Ramb. in N. Amer., vol. ii. p. 179. || Bartram's Travels, p. 97. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 39 a large town and a pyramidal mound, from which there pro ceeds in a straight line to a large, green, level savanna, a high way, formed of parallel walls resembling those just described ; fragments of earthenware, bones, and other remains abound in the neighborhood.* Near New Smyrna similar remains have been observed ;f and monuments of the same character, often connected with artificial ponds or lakes, are to be perceived from the river St. John to the southern coast of Florida,{ in great numbers and of various dimensions, exhibiting, by their frequency and extent, all the signs of having been constructed by a populous nation. Having thus rapidly traversed the eastern boundary line of these earthen structures, upon turning to the west we find them in greater numbers, and of a more extraordinary character. Near Salem, Ashtabula county, Ohio, about three miles from Lake Erie, upon the Coneaught river, is an enclosure situated upon a hill, and surrounded with two concentric circular walls, a ditch intervening between them. There is but one gate way, and from this a road leads to the water ; within the walls, earthenware and skeletons were found, and the whole place is covered with a thick growth of trees. At Marietta, within the city limits, some years since, there were two large, oblong enclosures, and a conical mound ; the largest of the enclosures contained forty, and the other twenty acres of ground.|| They were encompassed by ramparts of earth, from six to ten feet high, and thirty feet in breadth at the base, and on each side were three gateways, at equal * Bartram's Travels, p. 101. t Ihid. p. 142. J Ibid. p. 519. Arch. Amer. vol. i. p. 124. || Description of the Ohio River. Harris's Tour, p. 149. 40 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. distances apart. A sort of covert way, formed of two parallel walls, two hundred and thirty-one feet apart, defended the approach to the Muskingum; the walls were forty-two feet wide at the base, twenty-one feet high within, and five feet high on the outer sides. A line of smaller parallel walls leads down to the water from the corner of the fortification. Within the area enclosed, at the north-west corner, was an oblong ter race, nine feet high ; at the middle of each of its sides the earth was projected, forming gradual ascents to the top, ten feet in width. Near the south wall was another terrace, nearly simi lar ; at the south-east corner was another ; about the middle was a circular elevation ; and at the south-west corner was a semicircular parapet, covered with a mound, which guarded the gateway or entrance in that quarter. The other enclosure had a gateway in the middle of each side, and at the corners was defended by circular mounds. A short distance from its south-east side was a conical mound, one hundred and fifteen feet in diameter, thirty feet high, and sur rounded by a ditch and embankment, through which there was a gateway opening towards the fortification. The mound was protected in addition by outworks, and parapets, and- other mounds. There were also found here excavations, originally of great size and depth, still perceptible ; which were probably wells, and supplied the inhabitants with water. Upon a branch of the same river, ninety miles from Marietta, a series of works, consisting of entrenchments and mounds, extended about two miles in length, and the ramparts and mounds were of much greater height than those at Marietta.* Near Newark, in Licking county, another extensive succes- * Description of the Ohio River, p. 19. Colum. Mag., May, 1787. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 41 sion of fortifications existed. Commencing upon the westerly side, there was a round fort containing twenty-two acres, on one side of which stood an elevated observatory, constructed partly of earth, and partly of stone, beneath which there appears to have been a secret passage-way to a neighboring stream upon the opposite side. This circular fort was connect ed, by two parallel walls of earth, with an octagonal fort con taining forty acres. The walls of the latter were ten feet high, and were cut by eight gateways, each of which was defended by a small mound of earth, or curtain, on the inside. Thence, on the one hand, parallel walls proceeded to the water; on the other, towards the interior of the country, to the distance of several miles ; and in the middle, others ranged easterly, con necting the works just described with the following : A square fort containing twenty acres, connected towards the south, by parallel walls, with a circular fort of twenty-six acres, encom passed by an embankment from twenty-five to thirty feet high ; and towards the north, by two covered ways, with the neigh boring stream. At the extremity of these covered ways, the former margin of the stream was defended for some distance by a wall, flanked at each end by elevated mounds of earth ; upon an elevated plateau to the north-east, protected likewise by an entrenchment, stood several tumuli, containing the remains of the dead. From a careful examination of the adjacent country, and the occurrence of similar walls at various intervals, it has- been supposed these works were connected with others at Hockhocking river ; thus forming one continuous line of de fence, and preserving an open communication. At Circleville, Ohio, there were two earthen enclosures, one an exact circle, and the other a precise square, with its sides facing 6 42 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. the cardinal points, under no greater variation than that of the needle.* The square enclosure had eight entrances, equidistant, and all defended by circular mounds within; each side was fifty-nine rods in length, and the wall ten feet high. Upon its west side it was immediately connected with the circular enclo sure, which was sixty-nine rods in diameter, and encompassed by double walls, twenty feet high, with a ditch intervening between them. In the centre of this circle was a mound, with a curious semicircular pavement on its eastern side ; and a short distance without the walls stood another mound, ninety feet high. In Warren county, on the banks of the Little Miami river, and between two of its branches, we find the summit of an elevated plain defended by walls, from ten to twenty feet in height; their course is irregular, and generally corresponds with the marginal line of the hill.f Upon the side facing the Miami, three terraces are cut out of the bank, and command the passage of the river. On the north-easterly side are two mounds, connected by broad parallel roads, or embankments, with a third standing at the distance of a quarter of a mile, around which the roads make a detour, and then meet. These works are constructed of earth, and have fifty-eight openings, or gateways. At Paint Creek, a short distance from Chillicothe, in the same state, were two series of ruins, on opposite sides of the stream. { That on the north side was protected by a square and by a cir cular fort, and contained seventy-seven acres. Both without and within this area were several mounds, and also four large'wells, * Arch. Amer., vol. i. p. 141. f Ibid. vol. i.p. 156. J Ibid. vol. i. p. 145. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 43 which still retain water. Among the mounds in the interior were two elliptical elevations, one twenty-five feet high, three hun dred and thirty feet long, and one hundred and seventy feet broad, constructed of stones, and containing human bones ; and the other was from eight to fifteen feet high, and was formed with two stages or terraces ; the summits of both were level. Another work, in the form of a half-moon, was set round the edges with stones ; while near it stood a singular mound, five feet high and thirty in diameter, formed entirely of red ochre. The enclosure on the south side of the stream was also irregular ; contained two mounds, one of them twenty feet high ; and was defended by a square fort, precisely of the same dimen sions with that above described. To the east of both these fortifications, upon a rocky, pre cipitous hill, a wall of unhewn stone, enclosing one hundred and thirty acres, has been thrown up around the edge of the summit, with two gateways, one opening directly towards the river. An immense quantity of cinders was found in the interior of this enclosure. In the bed of the creek, just below the hill, are four wells, dug through the rock, and laid round at the top with hewn stone. Their apertures were closed with circular slabs, having a small hole through the centre, and apparently wrought with tools ; the stream, it is thought, has changed its channel since their excavation. On the north fork of Paint Creek are other works, which consist of two enclosures connected with each other. The area of the largest is one hundred and ten acres, surrounded by a ditch, and a wall twelve feet high, and disposed in an oblong form. The smaller work, on the east side, is nearly square, 44 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. and contains sixteen acres. Within the large enclosure are two circular works, encompassed with embankments, one of which contains six sepulchral mounds, or cemeteries.* Appearances of works similar to those of Paint Creek were, at the close of the last century, visible for nearly sixty miles along the Scioto, to its junction with the Ohio ; opposite which, on the Virginia side, were extensive ruins, and among them the remains of chimneys.f In the neighborhood of Portsmouth, on the south side of the Ohio river, there was a square enclosure, with parallel walls diverging from it on either side towards the river, enclosing a fine interval of land ; at its south- west corner stood a large mound, covering one quarter of an acre, and twenty feet in height.! On the north side of the river there were remains of a more intricate character. They consisted chiefly of parallel walls running from the water, the distance of four miles, to the summit of a large hill, where, after a detour, they terminated near four mounds. Three of these mounds were six feet in height, and covered nearly an acre each, and the fourth had an elevation of twenty feet. In the vicinity were an unfinished tumulus, and another completed, twenty-five feet high, and containing the remains of the dead. At the brow of the hill was a well, still twenty-five feet deep, and also two others each ten feet deep. From the east side of this group of mounds, proceeded parallel walls, two miles towards the river, sweeping in a large circuit of the richest land. * Ar. Am., vol. i. p. 151. f Tr. Am. Phil. Soc.,vol. iii. p. 216. | Ibid. vol. i. p. 183. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 45 Near Somerset, in Perry county, Ohio, was an ancient ruin, whose walls, enclosing an area of forty acres, were built with rude masses of unhewn stone, at present lying in confusion, and but a few feet in height.* One gateway, between two large rocks, opened into the country, before which was an enormous boulder of rock in some degree defending the access. In the line of the wall stood a small stone mound, and towards the middle of the enclosure was another, composed of the same materials, of a conical shape and much larger dimensions. These works were placed upon elevated ground, and, in consequence of their dis tance from water, are presumed to have been intended for other purposes than habitation. The state of Kentucky contains many of these ruins. There was one near Lexington which has been mistaken for an Indian structure.! Its form was an irregular oval, about fourteen hundred yards in circumference, surrounded by an earthen em bankment, from eight to ten feet thick at the base and from five to ten feet high, broken by apertures or gates at irregular inter vals. Near the middle of the enclosure waf. a small mound, about two or three feet in height, and also a number of pits or depressions, resembling sunken graves. The whole work, inclu sive of the ramparts,, was overgrown with a forest of trees of a large size, and of the growth and kind usual in the vicinity. On the Mississippi, a few miles below lake Pepin, upon a broad plain, the appearance of entrenchments has been observed, forming a breastwork about four feet high. Their form was * Arch. Amer., vol. i. p. 147. t Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. N. S., vol.i. pp. 310, 312. 46 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. semicircular, the ends reaching to the water, and the whole line extending about a mile.* In the town of Jefferson, west from Milwaulkee, on the west branch of Rock river, are the ruins of an extensive walled city, with a number of mounds or tumuli in the immediat^ vicinity. The form of that part examined is oblong, and its area is surrounded with the dilapidated remains of a brick wall, one quarter of a mile in extent, and now crumbled to the earth. The brick appears to be like that made at the present day with the exception of its possessing a lighter color, and the wall is covered with vegetable matter, and completely overgrown with verdure. Its remains are now twenty-three feet wide at the base, and four or five high, the wall having originally been much higher and narrower, but being now spread out by decay; the vestiges of buttresses projecting, at regular intervals, seventeen feet beyond its line, are still perceptible. At the north-west and south-west corners of the enclosure, upon the exterior, are two semicircular groups of mounds, their respective heights varying from three to t^fenty-five feet ; at the same corners, on the inner side of the enclosure, are two square elevated plains or terraces, fifteen feet high, one of them accessible by a stairway. Upon the eastern side, towards the margin of the river, two other terraces appear ; and about the middle of the eastern wall, at the water's edge, is the termination of a sewer, three feet below the surface, and arched with stone. An elevated ridge of earth con necting two of the terraces, parallel walls running north and south through the interior of the fort, and the remains of a cellar, * Carver's Travels, p. 45. Pike's Expedition, p. 18. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 47 complete the description of these interesting ruins so far as they have yet been examined.* In the state of Illinois, three miles above the Vermillion river, upon an elevated cliff on the left bank of the Illinois river, is Rock fort. The summit of the hill is level, contains about three quarters of an acre, and is covered with soil and young trees. Here is a regular entrenchment, corresponding in its course with the edge of the precipice ; and within this are other excavations, covered with trees. Upon this spot have been found broken muscle shells, fragments of antique pottery, and stones which have been subjected to the action of heat, resembling lava.f Between this place and Mount Joliet, are the ancient sites of several old villages; one, on the top of Buffalo rock, and another, in a plain, have been completely encompassed by a ditch and wall, the remains of which are still conspicuous, and the extent of their lines easily traced. In Gasconade county, Missouri, are the ruins of an an cient town, regularly laid out, in streets and squares ; the remains of some of the houses still exist, and foundations of stone are found in different parts of the area. Another stone work is situated about sixteen miles -distant from this, which appears to have been constructed with great regularity.! Upon Buffalo Creek and the Osage river, ruins of similar stone build ings may be observed, evincing a superior degree of architec tural skill. One, at Noyer Creek, has been more particularly described. It presents the dilapidated remnants of a building constructed of rough, unhewn stone, fifty-six feet long and * N. F. Hyer's Account f Schoolcraft's Mississippi, p. 320. i Beck's Gazetteer, p. 234. Ibid. p. 306. 48 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. twenty-two broad. The walls are from two to five feet high, enclosing a semicircular, a square, and two oblong chambers. The oblong apartments were roofed with the arch of receding inverted steps, and the semicircular chamber contained several human bones. Eighty rods east from this building was another, of smaller dimensions and of similar construction, and having a circular apartment between two oblong ones, without any inter communication. Upon a low plain, on the south side of the Missouri river, opposite the upper extremity of Bonhomme Island, there has been discovered an ancient enclosure including an area of about Jive hundred acres* It consists of two long straight walls, from six to fifteen feet in height and from seventy-five to one hundred feet in width at the base ; one running along the mar gin of the river, and the other proceeding from bank to bank, so as to take in the ground intervening and lying in the bend of the stream. A circular redoubt is situated upon the opposite extremity of Bonhomme Island, with a wall surrounding it, about six feet high. The extremity of one of the long walls is protected by a similar work, while the other end terminates in a species of citadel, of a semicircular shape, strongly fortified, and possessing horn-works, curtains defending the gateways, and covered ways to the river. The walls of these ruins are covered with large cotton-trees of full growth. Similar remains have been observed in the Territory still further west of the State of Missouri, and also on the Platte, Kanzas, and Jacques rivers.f Upon the banks of the Arkansas * Lewis and Clark's Travels, p. 47. t Ibid, p. 65. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 49 river, is a regular fortification covering an area of twenty-five acres ; the walls are eight feet high, with deep ditches twenty- five feet broad. It has two entrances, and the appearance of a secret passage or covert way may be seen : in the middle are two truncated mounds, each eighty feet high and one thousand feet in circumference at the base.* Other mural remains have been discovered within this state, and some of them are said to be constructed with brick ; but though we have every reason to anticipate such discoveries, and particularly in the region stretching towards Mexico, the authority for their existence is too uncertain for reliance, and needs further confirmation.f From this brief outline of the ancient fossa, cities, walls and fortifications, it will be readily perceived that those in the state of Ohio have been the most carefully surveyed, and have re ceived the most accurate descriptions, while as to those in other sections, we owe our acquaintance with them for the most part to accidental and hasty observations, seldom conducted upon any fixed plan, or from any other motive than casual curiosity. It is highly probable that the unexplored regions of the west still offer a rich field for future research, and will add immeasu rably to our information upon a subject so intimately connected with the development of the history of this continent, and of its ancient inhabitants. Not the least important object of such * Silliman's Journal, vol. iii. p. 38. f " When at Little Rock we were strongly urged to visit an unex plored city, said to lie on the banks of Red River to the north-west of Alexandria, which is known in that remote country by the name of the Old Town. This, we were seriously assured, might be traced by 50 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. an investigation is the determination of the position, extent, and chain of continuity of these ruins, upon which circum stances depends in some degree the solution of a portion of the history of their authors. embankments and ruins over an area twenty-three miles long, by four broad. Our informant stated that he should judge the cemetery to be a mile square." Latrobe's Rambler in North America, vol. ii. p. 179. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 51 CHAPTER IV. ANCIENT REMAINS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE last order of these antiquities in the United States con sists of Mounds, which are square, oblong, or circular at the base, and conical or flat at the summit. They are either tumuli, ter raced elevations in the vicinity of the mural remains, or trun cated pyramidal erections. The tumuli are always the reposito ries of the dead, and it is probable most of the other mounds may have served, secondarily, as sepulchres ; though the prin cipal object of many, contiguous to the fortifications, was un questionably defensive, while the purpose of others, and particu larly of the larger truncated pyramids, was religious. Where there exists so much resemblance in form, it is not always easy to distinguish the ancient tumuli from those thrown up by the Indians. The superior dimensions of the former usually present one mark of distinction, not always, however, satisfactory. In their contents we perceive surer indica tions of their origin, especially in the traces of the incine ration of the dead, a custom not usually prevailing at present with the Indians. Another characteristic difference, but one not invariable, is exhibited in the nature of their materials those of ancient workmanship appearing often to have been erected with alluvion dissimilar from the neighboring soil. It may be added also that the association of the ancient tumuli in 52 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. groups, and their proximity to the fortified enclosures, indicate an identity of origin. The regular form and position of those groups more isolated, and the symmetrical manner in which they are generally arranged, prevent any confusion between them and the less ancient structures proceeding from the Indians, which usually occur singly. Many of the ancient tumuli consist of earth, and others of stone, the composition depending however upon the natural fa cilities for obtaining either material. Thus of three, discovered upon an elevated ridge in the state of Kentucky, two were of the former, and one of the latter description ; all, however, ex hibiting the same internal indications in other respects.* They had been erected over dead bodies, or rather over the ashes of the dead, as beneath them were ashes, calcined bones, and char red wood, enclosed in a grave formed of flat pieces of stone. These mounds were thirty-six feet in diameter, but only three in height ; and they have been considered as of recent construction, though they are manifestly of the same character with others found on the Muskingum river, which are unquestionably an cient, f The latter were composed of earth, and had a basis of well burnt bricks, each four or five inches square, upon which were cinders, charcoal, and pieces of calcined human bones. A simi lar mound of large dimensions existed at Marietta, which on being removed was found to contain, besides pieces of copper, silver plate, and oxided iron, one human body upon the surface of the earth, deposited with the face upwards, and the head pointing to the south-west. Blackened earth, charcoal, and a circular coffin of thin flat stones still dark and stained with * Drake's Picture of Cincinnati, p. 201. f Archceologia Americana, vol. i. p. 163. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 53 smoke, demonstrated that the funeral obsequies had been celebra ted by fire. This mound was six feet high, and thirty in diameter, and its materials were taken from the adjacent plain. Another mound of similar dimensions, at a short distance from Marietta, on being examined was found to contain cop per ornaments, together with the remains of a single skele ton, also probably burnt before burial.* Near the centre of the circular enclosure at Circleville above described, was a tumulus about ten feet high. On the east side a raised passage-way led to its level summit, which was thirty feet in diameter, and on the same side was a semicircu lar pavement composed of pebbles.f This mound has been re moved, and its contents were a great quantity of arrow or spear-heads; the handle of some iron instrument, as was thought, encircled by a ferule of silver ; a large mica mirror three feet long ; a plate of iron oxidized, and two skeletons twenty feet asunder, surrounded with ashes, charcoal, and well-burnt brick. At Cincinnati a mound eight feet high, sixty broad, and six hundred and twenty long,J on examination appeared to * Archaeologia Americana, vol. i. p. 175. f Ibid. p. 177. t One of the first accounts, written in 1794, describes this mound as raised upon the margin of the second bank of the Ohio river, eight feet in height and with a base of about one hundred and twenty by sixty. Upon its surface were found stumps of oak trees seven feet in diameter. The articles which were found were near a body interred in a horizontal position, and with the head towards the setting sun. The instruments of stone were smoothly and regularly cut, and of great hardness. The copper was well wrought^ and the carved bones were not human remains. Transactions ofAmer. Phil. Soc^ vol. iv. p. 178. 54 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. belong to the same class.* Its oval figure and correspondence with the cardinal points, evince the advancement in knowledge of its architects, which conclusion is not disproved by the cha racter of its contents. These, besides articles of jasper, crystal, coal, and carved bones, consisted also of beads ; lead, copper, and mica plates ; marine shells of the genus buccinum, cut into domestic utensils, and the sculptured representation of the head of a voracious bird ; while, as in the mounds before described, human bones appeared, some enclosed in coffins of stone, but all embedded in ashes and charcoal, the unfailing signs of the burning of the deceased. In Knox county, Tennessee, upon the Holston river, are several pyramidal mounds, surrounded by an earthen entrench ment enclosing several acres.f At every angle of the embank ment, it sweeps out into a semicircle; and it appears well calculated as a military work. One of the mounds upon being penetrated developed a quantity of ashes and charcoal. Near Newport, in the same state, is another mound thirty feet high, its base covering half an acre, and its superior surface level like those of the others. Nine miles south-east from Lancaster, in Fairfield county,J Ohio, stood a mound one hundred and fifty feet in circumference, and fifteen feet in height. Upon examination, there was found at a level corresponding with the surface of the earth, a fur nace of unhewn stone eighteen feet long, six wide, and one and a half high, having a stone apparently shaped with some instru ment closing the mouth. Upon this furnace was placed a vessel * Drake's Picture of Cincinnati, p. 205. f Silliman's Journal, vol. i. p. 428. J Dr. Kreider's Communication to Fairfield County Med. Soc. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 55 of the same dimensions, two feet deep, and half an inch thick, made of earthenware, perfectly smooth, and well moulded ; and underneath was a thick layer of ashes and charcoal, while the bottom of the vessel, from its appearance, had evidently been subjected to the action of heat. This huge caldron contained twelve human skeletons, of various size and age : around the neck of one of the children were beads of muscle shell, a piece of cane, entire shells, arrow r s, and a curiously wrought stone. Near Newark, Ohio, is a conical stone tumulus, forty feet high, and with a base one hundred feet in diameter.* The tumulus described as ninety feet high, at Circleville, stood on an eminence which also appeared to be artificial.! It contained an immense number of human skeletons, of every size and age, all laid horizontally, with their heads towards the centre, and feet towards the outside of the mound. Stone axes, knives, and various ornaments were found deposited, generally near the head of every individual. A mound formerly stood near the middle of the town of Chillicothe, fifteen feet high, and sixty feet in diameter.J Hu man bones occurred in various parts, on its being levelled; and at the surface of the earth, upon pieces of bark, lay a single human skeleton, covered with a mat ; on its breast was an oblong stone ornament perforated with two holes, by which it was connected with a string of bone beads, and a piece of cop per in the shape of a cross. On the Grave Creek, Virginia, below Wheeling, is a large mound, seventy feet in height, with a level summit sixty feet in * Delafield's Inquiry, p. 55. f Arch. Amer., vol. i.p. 179. I Arch. Amer., vol. i. p. 182. Description of the Ohio, etc. p. 36. 56 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. diameter.* The circumference of its base is three hundred yards ; and there is no excavation in the vicinity whence its materials could have been obtained. At a short distance stand three smaller elevations, and several others appear scattered around in different directions. Some of these contained relics of cop per, instruments of stone, and human bones ; and one is encom passed by a ditch, and parapet five feet in height, intersected by a single gateway .f One of these mounds has been recently penetrated on the north side, about four feet above the base, by a passage pro ceeding horizontally towards the centre. Two vaults w r ere discovered, constructed at different dates ; one placed near the top, the other near the bottom : they had been built with pillars of wood supporting a roof of stone. The lower chamber contained two skeletons, the bones much decayed, which ap peared to have been buried in an erect or sitting position. In the upper chamber, besides the decomposed bones of a skeleton, there were found ivory beads, copper wristlets, small plates of mica, marine shells of the genus voluta, and a flat stone marked with unknown characters. On the low grounds of the Kenhawa, in Virginia, near the junction of one of its branches, the Elk river, is a mound nearly forty feet in altitude. The circumference of its base measures one hundred and forty yards ; its form is that of a truncated cone; and upon the summit there is a level area twelve or thirteen feet in diameter. Near it is a group of several smaller mounds ; and within a few miles of this stands another, said to * Harris's Tour, p. 62. Silliman's Journal, vol. vi. p. 166. | Amer. Phil. Trans., vol. iii. p. 215. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 57 be much higher. No marks of excavation are to be seen in the neighborhood, and it is supposed that the earth employed in its erection was brought from some distance.* On the Cahokia, nearly opposite to St. Louis, in the state of Illinois, within a circuit of four to seven miles, there are upwards of one hundred and fifty mounds. One of these, called The Monk mound, from having been occupied by some friars of the order of La Trappe, is truncated, and in the form of a paral lelogram, stretching from the north to the south.f Its height is ninety feet, and the circumference of its base has been estima ted to be from two thousand to two thousand four hundred feet.J Upon the southern side is a terrace, twenty feet lower than the summit, which formerly was approached by an inclined plane, projecting from its middle, about fifteen feet wide. The ar rangement of some of the smaller mounds appears to have been made with reference to this ; and the mounds of another group, near by, are symmetrically placed in the form of a semicircle. Arrow-heads, earthenware and human bones have been discov ered in the vicinity, and by excavations into the body of the Monk mound. At the junction of the Catahoola, Washita and Tensa rivers, in Louisiana, another truncated mound, with a similar step or terrace, may be observed, surrounded by a group of smaller size. In the immediate vicinity of St. Louis, on the other side of the Mississippi, there are also several other groups of mounds. One of these mounds, situated on the second bank of the river, is formed with three stages, or platforms, upon the side facing * Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. vol. vi. p. 138. f Beck's Gazetteer, pp. 43, 139. t Brackenridge's Views, p. 173. Ibid. p. 175. 8 58 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. the river ; and another with two stages. The arrangement of these series of mounds is symmetrical, and they are generally in the form of truncated pyramids. Those of them that have been excavated have disclosed human bones, earthenware, charred wood, and other miscellaneous articles.* Near Natchez is a number of mounds, several of which have been penetrated. Of these, a group about eleven miles from that city, is the most remarkable. One of them thirty-five feet high, of an oval form, and with precipitous sides, presents on its summit an elliptical area of four acres, encompassed by an embankment around the margin. Within this enclosure on the east side rises another mound fifteen feet high : on the north side are two more, on the south two, and on the west is a fifth thirty feet high, and with a flat summit. The large mound is sur rounded by a ditch at its base, and on its sides are indentations, and projections resembling salient angles. In the middle of the area at the top of the mound, is the mouth of a subterranean passage leading to a spring, and in the opposite quarter towards the south are traces of a similar outlet. On the eastern side are two smaller elevations ten feet high, which appear like terraced bastions. Remains of excavated roads converging to this great work are still visible, and many weapons, imple ments, vessels, fragments of pottery and human bonesf have been discovered. Upon the north side of the Etowah river, in Georgia, is a mound seventy-five feet high, and one thousand in circumference at its base.J An inclined plane for the purpose of ascent to * Trans. Am. Phil. Soc., vol. i. p. 155. t Southwest by a Yankee, vol. ii. p. 224. | Silliman's Journal, vol. i. p. 322. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 59 its level summit extends from one of its sides ; and two others, after rising thirty or forty feet, terminate in triangular platforms or terraces, upon the other side. At the south-east is another mound with its top encircled by a breastwork.* In Florida there are numerous mounds. Some upon the shores of the sea are composed of shells, and have been found to contain clay-ware, ashes, and charcoal. One found on Penon island, of a conical form, upon being opened disclosed human bones ; and De Soto is said to have obtained from others pearls, " and the figures of children and birds made also of pearl/'f Numbers of earthen mounds appear throughout the w r hole of this territory, unconnected with the ancient fortifications ; and from their being found bearing at cardinal points from each other, remote from natural landmarks, and in conspicuous situations, it is supposed they were intended as marks of territorial division.J On the eastern margin of a prairie at the back of Vin- cennes in Indiana, are several uncommonly large mounds, presenting the form of vast truncated cones. " In the immense masses of earth employed in their construction, and perhaps also in their comparatively ill-defined basal margins, these tumuli bear a close resemblance to the mounds of St. Louis. Mount Joliet, another mound of some celebrity, is situated in the northern part of the state of Illinois, and was first ob- * Mr. Adair describes two of these structures which existed in the Choctaw country. They were of great size, of an oblong form, and both enclosed by a broad deep ditch and a breast-work. Adair^ p. 378. f A Relation of the Invasion and Conquest of Florida, etc. pp. 64, 65. \ G. F. Clarke's Essay. Schoolcraft's Mississippi, p. 157. 60 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. served by the Sieur Joliet in 1673.* It is an oval structure corresponding in its position with the cardinal points; the length of its base is about one thousand feet, and its breadth seven hundred and fifty. It is of a pyramidal form, level at the top, and one of the largest mounds in the United States. Near New Madrid, Missouri, a number of mounds occur, one of which is twelve hundred feet in circumference, and forty in height. It is also truncated, and surrounded at its base by an entrenchment and ditch.f Upon the Arkansas river, just below the town of Arkansas, formerly stood a large mound, forty feet high, situated towards the centre of a circle of other smaller mounds, and some elevated platforms, or terraces of earth.! Such is a brief sketch of the most remarkable of the ancient mural remains, mounds, and other relics of the nations which for merly occupied a large portion of our country. In these monu ments are we presented with the only direct testimonies where- from to deduce some historical knowledge of their authors ; and before proceeding further, it may be w r ell to inquire what facts appear to be established at this stage of the investigation. 1. Their identity of origin. The general character of all * Beck's Gazetteer, p. 141. | Ibid. p. 304. I Nuttall's Arkansas, p. 69. Vide also, Trans. Amer. Phil. Sec., vol. iii. p. 217. At Baton Rouge there are mounds composed entirely of shells, like some of those in Florida. Mr. Brackenridge says, " I have been informed that in the plains between the Arkansas and St. Francis, the mounds are numerous and some very large," and he also gives a list of fifteen different places, at the West, where there are extensive groups of these monuments. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., vol. iii. p. 155. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 61 these remains indicates an origin from the same nation, or from branches of the same people. Although there is some variety to be observed in their form and arrangement, yet certain lead ing and predominant features distinguish them all ; and, from a careful survey, we are urged to the conclusion, that they proceeded from nations possessing similar customs and insti tutions. 2. Their extent and locality. These ruins extend over a wide district of territory : commencing in the state of New York, and stretching along the western line of the Alleghanies, at the south they bend eastwardly through Georgia, and are terminated only by the ocean in the southernmost part of Flori da. At the west, we find them in great numbers upon the margins of all the western waters, reaching far up towards the sources of the Mississippi, and scattered along the banks of the Missouri and of its branches, and thence down to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond the Red River towards Mexico, whither, although the line has not yet been accurately followed, they can probably be traced. Indeed, Mr. Brackenridge ob serves, that "the distance from the large mound on the Red river to the nearest in New Spain is not so great, but that they might be considered as existing in the same country."* It will be perceived, then, that at no point do they touch the Atlantic ocean, except in Florida; that at the north and west, so far as discoveries have been made, they find a limit, and do not approach the colder regions, nor reach to the shores of the Pacific ; while, on the other hand, at the south-west they range towards Mexico, and nearly in a direct and unbroken chain of * Trans, Amer. Phil. Soc., vol. i. p. 156. 62 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. continuity. That Florida was not the first seat of these nations, whence they were diffused towards the valley of the West, appears from the reflection, that among all nations the first extension of population has been along the shores of rivers and oceans. If Florida had been their first and original position, they would naturally have extended their settlements along the Atlantic frontier ; but there we find no indications of their exist ence, and it would appear to be a just inference to suppose, that the course of migration has been from the great western valleys southwardly into Florida. At the south-west, however, we trace them towards Mexico ; thither, then, so far as any indications exist in their locality and position, are we directed in the inves tigation of their origin. 3. Their numbers. In the description just given of these ruins, those only have been pointed out which are remarkable for their contents, size, and peculiarity of structure, or which are important in developing the extent and position of the ter ritory occupied by their authors. A vast multitude of others, of a similar character, occur throughout the district whose limits have been indicated, demonstrating beyond a doubt, that the whole of this immense region was in the possession of these nations. The author just quoted, whose accurate personal observations entitle his statements to great weight, in relation to the number of the earthen enclosures or fortifications, re marks, " The traces of them are astonishingly numerous in the western country. I should not exaggerate if I were to say that five thousand might be found, some of them enclosing more than a hundred acres ;" and of the mounds and tumuli, he says that they are much more numerous.* This statement, though * Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., vol. i. p. 153. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 63 intended to apply to but a portion of the country covered with these ruins, is no less true of the remainder ; and when reflect ing how many of them must have disappeared in the cultivation of the soil, without attracting more than a local and temporary attention, and how many may have escaped observation, covered as they are with forests, it is difficult, perhaps, to entertain too exaggerated an idea of the immense population which once crowded this spacious territory.* 4. Their antiquity. The character of these structures affords one argument for their antiquity ; for they are not entrench ments thrown up hastily by migrating hordes, but on the con trary the ruins of cities and temples, some, of the most massive and durable dimensions, and all indicating the existence of a population permanently established. But w r e are not to sup pose that they are all of contemporaneous origin ; and for this as well as other reasons, we are compelled to give a superior antiquity to those located in the West : and as we trace the gradual diffusion of population from that quarter, it is apparent how long a period must have elapsed before the structures on the confines of this great empire were erected ; add to this the time intervening between their construction and their abandon ment, the length of which is left entirely open to conjecture, for we know not how long these nations flourished, and the mind is irresistibly led back to a remote date. But even the precise epoch of their desertion lies beyond all direct and positive traditionary * Professor Rafinesque ascertained upwards of five hundred an cient monuments in the state of Kentucky, and fourteen hundred out of it, most of which he had visited and surveyed personally. MS. Letter, 1824. 64 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. testimony, while certain physical appearances would favor the opinion of its antiquity. Most of these monuments are covered with forests ; and while many of the trees, from their vast size and the number of their annular layers of wood, are apparently of great age, the vestiges of decayed wood, and the absence of that uniformity of character peculiar to a recent second growth, demonstrate that several generations of trees have sprung up and disappeared since these works were deserted. The full force of this argument cannot be more strongly illustrated than by citing the lucid description given by the late President of the manner in which the forests are gradually re stored to the soil after its tillage is abandoned. " The process," he remarks, " by which nature restores the forest to its original state, after being once cleared, is extremely slow. In our rich lands it is indeed soon covered again with timber ; but the char acter of the growth is entirely different, and continues so through many generations of men. In several places on the Ohio, particularly upon the farm which I occupy, clearings were made in the first settlement, abandoned, and suffered to grow up. Some of them now to be seen, of nearly fifty years growth, have made so little progress toward attaining the ap pearance of the immediately contiguous forest, as to induce any man of reflection to determine, that at least ten times fifty years would be necessary, before its complete assimilation could be effected. The sites of the ancient works on the Ohio, present precisely the same appearance as the circumjacent forest. You find on them all that beautiful variety of trees, which gives such unrivalled richness to our forests. This is particularly the case on the fifteen acres included within the walls of the work at the mouth of the Great Miami, and the relative proportions of AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 65 the different kinds of timber are about the same. The first growth on the same kind of land once cleared, and then abandoned to nature, on the contrary is more homogeneous often stinted to one or two, or at most three kinds of timber. If the ground has been cultivated, yellow locust in many places will spring up, as thick as garden peas. If it has not been cultivated, the black and white walnut will be the prevailing growth. The rapidity with which these trees grow for a time, smothers the attempt of other kinds to vegetate and grow in their shade. The more thrifty individuals soon overtop the weaker of their own kind, which sicken and die. In this way there is only as many left as the earth will support to maturity." " This state of things will not, however, always continue." " The preference of the soil for its first growth, ceases with its maturity. It admits of no succession upon the principles of legitimacy. The long undisputed masters of the forest, may be thinned by the light ning, the tempests, or by diseases peculiar to themselves ; and whenever this is the case, one of the oft-rejected of another family will find, between its decaying roots, shelter and appro priate food, and springing into vigorous growth, will soon push its green foliage to the skies, through the decayed and wither ing limbs of its blasted and dying adversary ; the soil itself yielding it a more liberal support than any scion from the for mer occupants. It will easily be conceived what a length of time it will require for a denuded tract of land, by a process so slow, again to clothe itself with the amazing variety of foliage which is the characteristic of the forests of this region. Of what immense age then must be those works, so often referred to, covered, as has been supposed by those who have the best opportunity of examining them, with the second growth, after 9 66 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. the ancient forest state had been regained"* These evidences are therefore similar in one respect to all the other facts ad duced to prove the age of these remains, for while they establish that the era of their erection is not modern ; while they oppose not a single objection to their great antiquity ; they still fail in pointing out with any degree of certainty the precise era of their construction. In attentively examining the localities in the vicinity of the mounds and mural remains, we observe various physical changes which have manifestly occurred since their construction and which are usually the result only of the long, gradual, and contin ued action of natural causes. Thus in Florida, lakes which were formerly approached by artificial avenues, have since be come dry. At the west, lakes and rivers upon whose margins these ruins are perceptible have deserted their ancient beds and channels,f and in the state of New York the line of mural re mains is bounded by the ancient shores of lakes Erie and On tario. There is nothing to contradict this conclusion, as to their * A Discourse on the Aborigines of the Valley of the Ohio, by William Henry Harrison. f " They are for the most part in rich soils and conspicuous situa tions. In the prairie regions, where I have seen the greatest number, they are covered with tall grass, and generally near benches which indicate the former course of rivers. In my farm on the beautiful prairie below St. Charles, the Mamelle or ' Point Prairie,' were two conical mounds of considerable elevation. A hundred paces in front of them was a high bench marking the shore of the Marais Croche, an extensive marsh, and evidently the former bed of the Missouri." Flinfs Recollections, p. 166. Truns. Amer. Phil. Soc. vol. iii. p. 154. Scientific Tracts, New Series, vol. iii. p. 157. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 67 great antiquity, in the present state of preservation of the mounds and mural remains. Earthen structures are not greatly altered by age ; but little perceptible change is made upon them by the action of the elements, if they are favorably located, and it is certain that monuments of a similar character are among the most ancient which have been preserved from antiquity, and are more enduring than the most solid specimens of architec ture. 5. The means of subsistence of these nations. The eviden ces of the numerous population formerly inhabiting the sites of these ruins, would suggest an inquiry as to their means of sub sistence. It is probable some traces of their agriculture still existed not many years since ; but the situation of the towns and cities would appear to be decisive of this question, for we find them usually upon the shores of streams and upon the richest soil, as if the choicest spots for the cultivation of the earth had been selected. 6. Their institutions. Civilized nations, living in populous communities, cannot subsist without some controlling form of government for law affords one of the elementary distinctions between savage and civilized life, and its protective influence is necessary and essential to the encouragement of the arts. The existence also of such vast public works would fortify this conclusion, and indicate some power capable of controlling and combining the labor of large numbers of men. 7. The objects of these structures. That the tumuli, and many, if not all of the truncated mounds have served as sepul chres, may be inferred from the contents of the great number of them already examined ; but we are not to conclude that this was the sole purpose of these enormous artificial elevations. 68 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. The level areas upon their summits, the careful manner in which some have been guarded by entrenchments, their relative situation to the fortified enclosures, and the regularity with which several of the groups have been arranged, suggest some other object. Numbers of them in the immediate vicinity of the fortifications are so disposed, as to demonstrate that they assisted in the defence of those positions. Others, and this remark ap plies to the majority of the important ones, from their astro nomical position and their correspondence with the cardinal points, as well as from their analogy to the monuments of other nations, it is reasonable to presume were sacred edifices, and bore the altars of the gods. The enclosures were likewise of two classes ; some, of a regular geometrical form and small dimensions, as the one at Circleville, having been intended for religious purposes; and others, of a more irregular shape, and sometimes containing im mense areas, having been occupied as cities and fortresses. It may be remarked, that, from a peculiarity in the disposition of some of the earthen embankments around the sites of cities, and from the existence of long and continued lines of others along the margins of rivers, it would appear as if they had also served for the protection of the enclosed areas, and the circumjacent plains from the disastrous effects of inundations. Sometimes we find embankments extended to great dis tances, which, judging from their width, situation, and other circumstances, may very w^ell have served as roads.* The * The Indians had wide and extensive paths war or hunting paths which stretched great distances, and having been opened from time immemorial, it has been supposed some of them denote the course of the roads of the ancient inhabitants. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 69 long oval enclosures, often encircling a mound at one end, concerning which much conjecture has been exercised, and which resemble the Roman cursus, were probably devoted to a similar purpose, and were traversed on festival days by those religious processions which were so frequent in the sacred cere monies of the Mexicans. Where, it may be asked, are the remains of the dwellings of these nations ? The same question arises upon viewing the ruins of the Mexican temples and pyramids now standing in solitude. Its solution rests in the fact, that, like all primitive people, while the houses of their princes and their gods were erected in the most durable manner, with the greatest labor, of the most massive materials, and adorned with the most exquisite and noble architectural embellishments, the tenements of the poor were of more humble dimensions, materials and structure. It is probable the latter were wooden and clay huts, or, at the best, like the dwellings of the Egyptians, composed of crude brick.* Thus, as might have been anticipated, their religious monuments still remain, while of the dwellings that surrounded them hardly a trace can be distinguished. 8. The fortifications. The best military judges have ob served the skill with which the sites of many of the fortifications have been selected, and the artful combination of natural advan tages with artificial means of defence exhibited in their con- * Wilkinson, vol. ii. p. 96. " What," says Denon in his Travels into Egypt, " has become of the residences or palaces of the kings ? Were they built of unbaked and therefore perishable earth or did the great men as well as the priests, inhabit the temples, and the people only huts ?" Denon's Travels, vol. iii. p. 58. 70 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. struction.* The care taken in their erection must have been necessary for protection against a powerful external enemy, or from internal wars. The latter probably was partially the case, as, extrinsic of other reasons, it is hardly likely that at so early a period, and in a state of semi-civilized society, this great peo ple were united under one sovereign, or were free from internal commotions and revolutions. Upon the whole, we may with justice say of these nations, from a review of their relics and monuments thus far, 1. That they were all of the same origin, branches of * Bishop Madison (Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. vol. vi. p. 132,) has clearly shown that many of these enclosures never could have been intended as fortresses, and with this conclusion the following opinion of a competent judge coincides. " Great as some of the latter are, and laborious as was their construction, particularly those of Circleville and Newark, I am persuaded they were never intended for military defences. On the contrary, those upon the Ohio river were evidently designed for that purpose. The three that I have examined, those of Marietta, Cincinnati, and the mouth of the Great Miami, particularly the latter, have a military character stamped upon them which cannot be mistaken." The engineers " who directed the execution of the Miami work appear to have known the importance of flank defences, and if their bastions are not as perfect, as to form, as those which are in use in modern engineering, their position, as well as that of the long lines of curtains, are precisely as they should be." Harrison's Discourse. Carver, who was one of the first to notice these works, makes a similar remark in relation to the entrenchments he discovered near Lake Pepin. " Though much defaced by time," he observes, " every angle was distinguishable, and appeared as regular, and fashioned with as much military skill, as if planned by Vauban himself." Car ter's Travels, p. 45. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 71 the same race, and possessed of similar customs and insti tutions. 2. That they were populous, and occupied a great extent of territory. 3. That they had arrived at a considerable degree of civ ilization, were associated in large communities, and lived in extensive cities. 4. That they possessed the use of many of the metals, such as lead, copper, gold and silver, and probably the art of work ing in them. 5. That they sculptured in stone, and sometimes used that material in the construction of their edifices. 6. That they had the knowledge of the arch of receding steps; of the art of pottery, producing utensils and urns formed with taste, and constructed upon the principles of chemical composition; and of the art of brick-making. 7. That they worked the salt springs, and manufactured that substance. 8. That they were an agricultural people, living under the influence and protection of regular forms of government. 9. That they possessed a decided system of religion, and a mythology connected with astronomy, which, with its sister science geometry, was in the hands of the priesthood. 10. That they were skilled in the art of fortification. 11. That the epoch of their original settlement, in the United States, is of great antiquity ; and, Lastly, That the only indications of their origin, to be gath ered from the locality of their ruined monuments, point towards Mexico. 72 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. CHAPTER V. ANTIQUITIES IN MEXICO AND THE ADJACENT STATES. No portion of the globe offers more decisive evidence, of having been occupied for many ages by civilized nations, than the southern regions of North America. At the time of the discovery, the ancient remains in the United States were de serted, and the people, by whom they had been erected, were apparently extinct ; so that the question of their origin was a subject of inquiry to the antiquary, rather than to the his torian. In the vast territory at the south, however, another spectacle was presented : there the Spanish invaders found pop ulous nations, regularly organized states aristocratical, mo narchical and republican forms of government, established systems of law and religion immense cities, rivalling in the style, character and magnificence of their edifices and temples, those of the old world ; and roads, aqueducts and other public W 7 orks, seldom excelled in massiveness, durability, and grandeur. The inhabitants were clothed, the soil was tilled, many of the arts had been carried to a high degree of advancement, and their knowledge in some of the sciences equalled, if not sur passed that of their conquerors. Guatemala was occupied by many distinct tribes, each enjoying its own peculiar govern ment, and institutions ; and the same remark applies to Yucatan, and other neighboring countries. That extensive tract of land AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 73 known as Anahuac, a name which though originally limited to the vale of Mexico was subsequently applied to most of the re gion formerly denominated New Spain, was divided into several kingdoms and republics, of which the kingdom of Mexico was the most powerful and extensive.* Though the commencement of this empire dates in the year 1325, when the city of Mexico was founded, yet this warlike and enterprising people, at the conquest, had brought under their sway many of the surround ing nations, and their dominions reached from the 14th to the 21st degree of north latitude, and from the Atlantic to the Pa cific Ocean. With these facts clearly presented to us in history, with these evidences of the existence of numerous states, advanced in civilization, and in the arts, it may appear singular, that in so short a period as three hundred years, it has become the part of the antiquary, to pore over the ruins of their monu ments j as if to gather the history of an extinct people. But the civilization found existent there was of a peculiar character ; the great mass of the people were uncultivated; society was kept in a state of order, not by the intelligence of the people, but by their veneration for their rulers ; the public records, the fes tivals, the arts and sciences, and even agriculture, were all com mitted to the charge and direction of the priesthood ; and when their governments fell before the assaults of their invaders, and their religion yielded to Catholic zeal, their institutions and civilization perished in a common grave. These causes alone, however, are not sufficient to account for the absolute ruin that befell these nations. The Spaniards not only waged a war of * Clavigero, vol. i. pp. 1, 123. 10 74 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. extermination against the natives themselves, but, from various motives, sought to obliterate every vestige of their former pow er, and opulence. They spared neither monuments nor records, and strove to destroy every object, that might preserve to a despised race, the memory of what they had been ; or that could tend to make them cling the more tenaciously to their old institutions and customs. Fortunately, the vast extent and dimensions, and the solid and massive character, of many of these monuments, defied all attempts to destroy them, and tri umphing alike over time and violence, they still serve to shed some light upon the history of their authors.* Fresh from the consideration of the majestic pyramidal mounds of the United States, the first and most natural objects of attention are the pyramids of Spanish America, the most ancient and the most expressive of all its ruins. Pyramids. The finest temple of the city of Mexico was one of the victims of Spanish bigotry, and for a description of this great " Teocalli,"f we are compelled to resort to the narratives of the conquerors. Its location was in the central square of the city, and it was dedicated to Tezcatlipoca, the first of the gods after Teote the Supreme Being, and to Huitzilopochtli or Mexitli, " the God of War."J It was built after the model of those ancient pyramids * Some of the idols in the city of Mexico, which they were unable to break, were deliberately buried in the earth ; and it is a curious instance of the tenacity with which the natives have adhered to their old superstitions, that when one of these idols was recently disinterred, the Indians secretly, in the night time, crowned it with garlands of flowers. t " House of God." J Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. p. 83. De Solis, vol. i. p. 398. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 75 supposed to have been founded by the Toltecs, and had been erected but a short period before the landing of Cortez. The main building was surrounded by a wall of hewn stone, upon which were sculptured knots of serpents, intertwined together.. The four sides of this wall faced the cardinal points respectively, and the residences of ( the priests were immediately adjacent to it, within. In the middle of this square stood the Teocalli, constructed of clay, and covered with enormous masses of hewn porous amygdaloid.* This edifice was a truncated pyramid built with five stories ; its sides faced the cardinal points ; the line of its base was three hundred and eighteen feet long, and its perpendicular elevation one hundred and twenty-one feet.f Flights of stairs led to its superior platform, where were placed the sacrificial stone, and chapels containing the idols of the gods. Here also were the colossal statues of the sun and moon, formed of stone, and covered with plates of gold.J Eight principal temples, of similar character, are said to have existed within the city, and the number of those of inferior dimensions amounted to two thousand. This picture might seem to be overdrawn, were there not sufficient vestiges re maining, in the ruins of other Teocallis, to attest the truth of its leading features, and to confirm its accuracy by extrinsic evidence. * Humboldt's Political Essay, vol. ii. pp. 15, 16. f Fifty-four metres high according to Humboldt This altitude' included that of the edifices upon its summit. Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. p. 84. J Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. p. 86. De Solis, vol. ii. p. 177. Waldeck says, "The descriptions of the Mexican Teocalli are very contradictory. Some terra cottas represent them in minia- 76 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. The most remarkable objects still existing, within the limits of the city of Tezcuco, in Mexico, are the remains of the chief Teocalli, some of the stones of which have been transferred into the pavements, and into the walls of dwellings, betraying their original destination and use, by the figures of animals, hiero- glyphical symbols, and other ornaments, sculptured upon them. The base of this pyramid extended over an area four hundred feet square, and the sides rose in terraces, some of which are still visible, covered with a hard and durable cement.* Though other pyramidal buildings in its neighborhood are constructed of brick, this appears to have been formed of enormous masses of basalt, regularly cut, and beautifully polished. To the east of the holy city of Cholula, still stand the ruins ture, and on a great number of them I have always counted eleven steps or platforms. There is great resemblance between these terra cottas and the great pyramid of Itzalan." This remark, so far as it refers to the minor details of these structures, is accurate, but as to their leading and general form and style, there is certainly a great coincidence in all the accounts. Torquemada estimated the number of temples in the Mexican Empire at forty thousand, and Clavigero says the number was far greater. " The architecture of the great temples," he adds, "was for the most part the same with that of the great temple of Mexico ; but there were many likewise of a different structure many consisted of a single body in the form of a pyramid, with a staircase," etc. Clavigero, vol. i. p. 269. Gomara says, " they had almost all the same form, so that what we shall say of the prin cipal temple, will suffice to explain all the others." See also De Solis, vol. ii. pp. 177, 214, 222. Some authors represent the base of the Mexican temple to have been of greater length than breadth, like those of Teotihuacan. * Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. i. p. 331. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 77 of the celebrated pyramid, estimated to have been the largest in all Mexico, and sacred to Quetzalcoatl, the " God of the Air." The base covered an area double that of the Egyptian pyramid of Cheops, being one thousand four hundred and twenty-three feet in length ; and its height was one hundred and seventy- seven feet, ten feet higher than the pyramid of Mycerinus. It was constructed of alternate layers of clay and unburnt brick, was divided into four separate stories or stages, and ranged exactly in the direction of the cardinal points. The passage to the summit of this truncated pyramid appears to have been made originally by a flight of steps, one hundred and twenty in number. An ancient tradition maintained that this pyramid was hollow ; which has since been verified, and a vault has been discovered, built of stone, supported by beams of cypress wood, and containing two skeletons, together with two basaltic idols, and several curious vases.* An arrangement of the bricks has also been observed in its internal structure, tending to lessen the pressure from above, by such a disposition as to make the upper course overlap the under, in the form of inverted steps a method often found in use in several Egyptian and other ancient edifices. In the same manner as the pyramids of Teotihuacan, the large pyramid was surrounded by many smaller ones, the ruins of which still faintly appear in the adjacent plain.f * Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. p. 91. Modern Traveller, Mexi co, vol. i. p. 252. Humboldt's Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain, vol. ii. p. 120, English translation. f Latrobe, p. 205. Cortez, in a letter to the Emperor Charles V., dated October 30, 1520, says he counted four hundred of these temples at Cholula. 78 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. Near Tacuba, a populous city at the conquest, are the ruins of an ancient pyramid, constructed with layers of unburnt brick in regular courses.* In the vicinity of Huexotla near Tezcuco are also several pyramids built with layers of unburnt brick, and clay, one of which shows appearances of having been hollow,! which circumstance was discovered by part of it having fallen in. Xochicalco, or " the House of Flowers," is situated upon the elevated plain of Cuernavaca, at a height of nearly six thousand feet above the level of the sea.J It appears to be a hill formed into an artificial shape by human labor, and is nearly three miles in circuit. Its base is encircled by a moat or ditch, and the rocky mass is cut into the shape of a truncated pyramid, with its sides corresponding with the cardinal points, and divided into four terraces. The intermediate slopes are covered with platforms, bastions, pyramidical and rectangular elevations and stages, one above the other, all faced with large porphyry stones admirably cut, but joined together without cement : the perpendicular height is estimated to be from three hundred to three hundred and eighty feet. Upon the north part of the upper area is a truncated pyra mid " constructed of large regularly hewn and symmetrically laid masses of hard and richly sculptured rock." Its base is in the line of the parallels and meridians, and is about fifty feet in length. It formerly consisted, as is stated, of seven stories, portions of two only now remaining. The construction of the * Latrobe's Rambler in Mexico, p. 99. f Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. i. p. 335. I Latrobe's Rambler in Mexico, pp. 185, 190. Humboldt's Poli tical Essay, vol. ii. p. 45. Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. i. p. 339. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 79 stories is singularly like the Egyptian style of architecture, the lower parts inclining inwards at an angle of 15, for a short distance, and then being surmounted with perpendicular courses projecting over the inferior portion. Upon the stones of this pyramid are many figures sculptured in relief, some representing hieroglyphic signs, and others human figures seated cross legged in the Asiatic manner, and crocodiles spout ing water.* It is probable that the interior of this monument contains many apartments, as it is ascertained that subterranean cham bers and galleries enter deeply into the side of the hill. Paved roads or causeways run from different points of the compass to the base of " the House of Flowers," indicating, whatever was its purpose, that it was the resort anciently of great numbers of people-! In the northern part of the former Intendancy of Vera Cruz, near the village of Papantla, are the remains of another pyramid, constructed of enormous blocks of hewn stone, regularly laid in cement. Each side of its quadrangular base is eighty feet in length, and its altitude is sixty feet. It is a truncated pyramid, * These stones are parallelepipeds, and the reliefs are sculptured continuously over several stones, without regard to the joints, whence it has reasonably been inferred that the sculpture was executed after the erection of the structure. Humboldfs Researches, vol. i. p. 112. f There has arisen much discussion whether this work is wholly artificial. The recent observation of a modern traveller, without en tering further into the argument, seems to decide the point, as " its position and configuration show it to be one of the group of adjacent hills." Latrobe's Rambler in Mexico, p. 185. Xochitl signifies a flower. Humboldfs Researches, vol. i. p. 160. 80 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. and is divided into seven terraces : three staircases lead to the top, which are decorated with small niches supposed to have had an astronomical use or signification.* To the north-east of the Lake of Tezcuco, eight leagues from the city of Mexico, are the two pyramids of Teotihuacan, traditionally sacred to the sun and moon.f The larger pyra mid, dedicated to the worship of the sun, is one hundred and eighty feet in height, and its base is six hundred and eighty-two feet in length ; and the pyramid of the moon is about one hun dred and forty-five feet high. Both are divided into four stages, subdivided into smaller steps, and stairs of hewn stone rose to the superior platforms. They are composed of clay commingled with small stones, and are faced with amygdaloid, which has been coated with a red or salmon-colored cement formed of small pebbles and lime. Upon the area at the top of the pyramid of the moon, are the ruins of a stone edifice, forty-seven feet long, and fourteen wide, with an entrance at the south. J This pyramid has an entrance on the southern face, at two-thirds of the elevation, by a passage inclining downwards, and opening into a gallery, at the end of which are two wells now closed, except for about the distance of fifteen feet. The wells seem to be in the centre of the edifice. Upon the summit of the pyramid of the sun * Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. p. 87. Humboldi's Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 172. t Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. p. 85. Humboldt's Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 42. Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. i. pp. 330, 338. J Latrobe's Rambler in Mexico, p. 160. Latrobe, p. 161. The discovery of this entrance, were it an AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 81 are the remains of broken earthenware, said to resemble closely the Chinese patterns, pieces of obsidian, and the muti lated bodies of idols.* Indeed obsidian knives, arrows, and terra cotta heads, abound in this vicinity. The heads have a physiognomical appearance somewhat unlike that of the present Indians, being remarkable for the height and formation of the forehead, and for a curious head-dress. They are composed of clay well tempered, and slightly baked. Around these pyra mids, as at Cholula, are many smaller ones, several hundreds in number, arranged in parallel lines or streets running in the direction of the cardinal points,! and facing the sides of the pyramids of the sun and moon. These are generally about thirty feet high, and by tradition were said to have been sepul chres for the chiefs of tribes, and to have been dedicated to the stars. A broad road leads from the southern side of the house of the moon, passes directly before the western face of the house of the sun,J and then bears away over the plains, towards the mountains. Besides the remains of the pyramids just described, many ancient one, would indicate that some reliance is to be placed upon the ancient traditions ; for, according to one of these mentioned by the early travellers, the interior of these pyramids is hollow ; but it is possible that the passage entered by Mr. Latrobe is the work of Siguenza, who, according to Boturini, endeavored to pierce these edifices by a gallery. See Humboldfs Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 42. * Latrobe, p. 161. f " The faces of these edifices are to within 52' exactly placed from north to south, and from east to west." Humboldfs Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 42. % Tonatiuh Ytzaqual House of the Sun ; and Mitzli Ytzaqual House of the Moon. 11 82 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. others are to be observed among the ruins of the ancient cities in Mexico, Central America, and Yucatan.* At the conquest there was no place of any importance, but what boasted of many of these stupendous edifices ; and the narratives of the conquerors are filled with expressions of astonishment at their vastness and grandeur, and the magnificence and splendor of their decorations. Most of these, and in particular such as were of inferior size, were despoiled and overthrown by the Span iards ; while those more ancient structures which served as their models, the pyramids of Cholula and of Teotihuacan, proba bly from their enormous dimensions, escaped the general ruin. An idea of the fearful system of indiscriminate destruction pur sued by the invaders may be gathered from the letter of Cortez to Charles V., in which, speaking of the plan adopted for the subjugation of the city of Mexico, he says : " I formed the de sign of demolishing on all sides, all the houses, in proportion as we became masters of the streets, so that we should not advance a foot, without having destroyed and cleared down whatever was behind us" Thus continually, in the examination of these ancient monuments, are we called to lament that barbarian * Mr. Lyon describes some near Panuco, which were from thirty to forty feet high. Lyon's Tour, p. 55. Many ruins of sepulchral mounds are to be seen in Yucatan. Humboldt's Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 162. At the south side of Merida are the ruins of a Teocalli upon which a fort has been erected. Many of the houses of Merida have been constructed with fragments of the pyramids. In the base of one of these monuments a tomb has been opened and found to contain the bones of the tapir and of some other mammiferous pachy- dermata: upon the remains of another, the Convent of St. Francisco has been built Waldeck, pp. 18, 23, 55. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 83 fury, which in the heat of conquest was restrained from no ex cess f and even to share and sympathize in the feelings of the poor vanquished Indians, as they saw the objects of their deep est reverence levelled with the dust. Ancient cities and other ruins. From the causes just alluded to, as well as from the 'gradual depopulation, and finally, the abandonment of many important cities whose sites are now only conjecturally known, but a faint conception can be obtained at the present period of their former size and numbers. The old writers, many of whom were eye-witnesses, whose accounts were given after a long residence in this country, give us a high idea of its ancient population. Clavigero has collected these testimonies with exceedingly great industry, and has succeeded in establishing that this portion of the continent was occupied by populous nations, whose numbers were so great that in the vicinity of their towns, according to Cortez, <( not a foot of the soil was left uncultivated," and whose cities were not only nu merous, but contained, some of them, from thirty to sixty thou sand houses. Tezcuco. The ruins of this city, which with its suburbs was even larger than Mexico, and according to Torquemada con tained one hundred and forty thousand houses, still betoken an ancient place of great importance and magnificence. Without the walls, tumuli, the sepulchres of the former inhabitants, may . yet be observed, and also the remains of a fine aqueduct in a suffi cient state of preservation for present use. Within the city limits, excavations have developed the foundations of large edifices, and every surrounding object points it out to the traveller, as the for mer residence of a numerous, and cultivated population.* In its * Latrobe, p. 141. Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. i. p. 331. 84 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. vicinity there is a conical hill, rich in antiquities, covered to the very summit with the massive ruins of splendid buildings, and perforated with artificial excavations. The sides of this elevation are terraced in some places with solid masonry-work, in other parts the terraces are cut into the rock, and the exterior of the whole has been covered with cement, or stucco-work. The walls of one large building are yet partly standing, and a reservoir is perceived which supplied it with water. But the most singular object connected with this mountain of ruins, is a specimen of art, which without any sufficient reason has been denominated traditionally " Montezuma's Bath."* This piece of workmanship is excavated from the side of a cliff, and projects beyond it " like a martin's nest." It is a beautiful basin about twelve feet long by eight wide, having a well five feet in diameter and four deep in the centre, surrounded by a parapet two feet and a half high, with a throne or chair placed near it, such as is represented in ancient pictures, to have been used by the kings. Steps descend into the bath, and the whole is cut out of the living porphyry rock with mathematical precision, and polished in the most beautiful manner.f Commanding a pic turesque prospect of the fine valley of Mexico, its lakes and city, a more enchanting spot for the luxury of the bath cannot well be imagined. But it is more than doubtful whether such ' was its object, and it has been suggested with much probability that it served for an astronomical purpose.{ * Latrobe, p. 141. f Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. i. p. 334. J A recent traveller varies in his account rather widely from this description, particularly with regard to its dimensions, and he states very positively that it could not have been a bath, or rather that it is AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 85 Huexotla. Two miles from Tezcuco, the village of Huexotla, situated on the site of the ancient city of that name, which was considered as one of the suburbs of Tezcuco, exhibits signs of ancient civilization, in the foundations of large edifices, in mas sive aqueducts, one of which, covered with rose-colored cement, still exists in a perfect state, and in an extensive wall of great height and thickness.* A covered way flanked by parallel walls proceeds from the ancient city, to the bed of a stream now dry, over which there is a remarkable bridge, with a pointed archf forty feet high, and supported on one side by a pyramidal mass of masonry.J Mitlan. In the district of Zapoteca, ten leagues from Oaxa- ca, occur the ruins of Mitlan, consisting originally of five edi fices symmetrically arranged. The approach is made by a gateway, which opens upon a court one hundred and fifty feet square surrounded by four oblong buildings, in one of which the remains of two columns are still visible. The fifth and largest edifice, which has best withstood the ravages of time, is placed upon a terrace or elevated platform rising above the court : it is one hundred and thirty feet in length, and con tains a spacious hall, whose roof of savine wood is supported by six monolithic porphyry columns, nineteen feet high, des titute of capitals, and slightly contracted at the summit. The too small for any other use, than a foot bath. Latrobe's Rambler in Mexico, p. 141. * Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. i. p. 335. f Latrobe, p. 139. | The Mexicans constructed bridges of stone, and Clavigero mentions the remains of " large and strong pilasters" which supported the bridge over the river Tula. Clavigero^ vol. ii. p. 371. 86 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. architecture is all of a solid character, the doorway of this hall being covered by a single stone twelve feet long. From an inner court of this building, a broad flight of steps leads to two subterranean apartments, arranged in the form of a cross, and supported by columns. Each of these excavated galleries, which intersect each other at right angles, is eighty- two feet long and twenty-six broad, and they are decorated with Greek and arabesque ornaments. The exterior walls of the upper apartments are similarly embellished, while their interior surface is covered with paintings, representing weapons, tro phies, and sacrifices. The arabesques are formed in a species of mosaic work made with small square porphyry stones imbed ded in clay, and the Greek ornaments are supposed by Humboldt, to have a striking analogy to those of the Etruscan Vases.* Palenque. In Chiapa, near the village of San Domingo Palenque, are the ruins of a city, which it is said can be traced over an area six or seven leagues in circumference.! The part of these remains which exists in the most perfect state, has received the name of " Casas de Piedras," or the StoneJHouses.J These edifices are fourteen in number, and are erected upon an * Humboldt's Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 155. Researches, vol. id. p. 152. f Description of the Ruins of an Ancient City, discovered near Palenque, by Captain Don Antonio Del Rio, p. 4. Del Rio and Dupaix have given Palenque a circuit of seven leagues, while its remains, according to Waldeck, occupy at the most a surface of but one league in extent. " If its extent," says Waldeck, " had been more considerable, I should have discovered it in a sojourn of twelve years." Waldeck, p. 68. Juarros describes the remains of the city as occupying a site six leagues in circumference. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 87 elevated ridge of land rising from the river Micol, and its branch the Otolum. A rectangular area, three hundred yards by four hun dred and fifty, presents a plain surface at the foot of one of the larger mountains of the neighboring group. Around this square the buildings are disposed, five on the north side, four on the south, one on the south-west, and three on the east, while in all directions, the fragments of fallen edifices and monumental stones are to be seen extending several leagues along the base of the mountain. The largest structure is situated in the mid dle of the square, upon a mound sixty feet in height. Beneath it runs an aqueduct of stone, constructed with the greatest solidity.* The architecture of this edifice is on a scale of great magnitude. The ascent to the summit of the mound and the entrance of the building were upon the east side. The four sides had corridors or porticoes, the roofs of which were supported by plain rectangular pillars, without bases, and crowned by square blocks of stone,f above which were long blocks of stone stretching from column to column ; these were covered on their outer surface w r ith designs in stucco w r ork. From each of these porticoes there was an entrance to cham bers, whose walls were ornamented with medallions or com partments in stucco, alternating with niched windows. Some of the medallions appear to have contained a series of busts and heads various in their expression and form ; in those of the western chamber, the device being a species of grotesque mask, with a crown and long beard, under which are two crosses one within the other. The arrangement of the other apartments seems to have been somewhat irregular. Among * Del Rio, p. 4. f Ibid. p. 9. 88 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. them are two rooms, denominated oratories, adorned with designs in stucco, and containing statues ornamented with strings of jewels. In other chambers we find various devices and sculptures of a curious character, and of admirable execu tion. In the subterranean vaults constructed beneath, which are destitute of architectural or plastic ornaments, there are horizontal slabs of stone, seven feet by four, placed upon four square stands of masonry rising about half a yard above the floor. Within an open court in the middle of the whole pile of buildings, stands a pyramidal tower of four stories, and fifty feet in height, within which is another tower, with windows facing those of the exterior one, and with a flight of stairs lead ing to the summit. The remaining thirteen edifices appear to have been con structed in a corresponding style. The one to the south-west is situated upon an eminence forty yards high, and its stucco ornaments are remarkable for the representations of female figures, delineated as headless, and carrying children in their arms. The four southern buildings are erected likewise upon elevations, and three of them contain oratories. The pavements or floors of these oratories upon excavation, were found to contain, first, an earthen vessel, and second, a circular stone, beneath which were two small pyramids with the figure of a heart in dark crystallized stone, a lance head, and two covered earthen jars holding some substance of a vermilion color.* The designs in stucco, the bas reliefs and sculpture, observed so frequently in these ruins, represent * Vases or urns containing bones, together with burnt bricks and mortar, were also found. Del /?io, p. 20. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 89 a great variety of figures, most of them appareled, and deco rated with pearl necklaces, caps and helmets adorned with flowers, and a multitude of other ornaments. A peculiarity at tends all the human representations in the great size of the nose, a remarkable protrusion of the under lip, and the absence of a beard. Other relievos exhibit human sacrifices,* hieroglyphi- cal symbols, and men dancing with palm-leaves in their hands. One figure, presumed to be a deity, is sitting in Hindoo style, upon a throne ornamented on each side with the enormous head and claws of an animal, and another seated cross-legged upon a two-headed monster, is receiving an offering from a man in a kneeling attitude ; and it is observed of all these representa tions that every appearance of martial instruments seems to be wanting. It may be added that some of the windows of these buildings are in the form of the Greek cross,f and that on the wall of one of the apartments is a tablet of sculptured stone, ex hibiting the figure of a large and richly ornamented cross placed upon an altar or pedestal.J A priest stands on one side in the attitude of adjuration, and on the other side appears another priest presenting some offering, it has been supposed, a young child. Upon the top of the cross is seated a sacred bird, which has two strings of beads around its neck, from which is / suspended something in the shape of a hand, probably intended to denote the manitas. This curious flower was the production of the tree called by the Mexicans, macphalxochitl, or " flower of the hand." It resembled the tulip, but the pistil was in the form of a bird's foot, with six fingers terminated with as many nails. 1 1 * Del Rio, p. 11. f Del Rio, pp. 9, 10. } Del Rio, Plates. The Cheirosteinon platanoides. || Clavigero, vol. i. p. 19. 12 90 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. Patinamit. The once strong and opulent city of Patinamit, in Guatemala, was situated upon an elevated plain of great ex tent. Upon one side of a spacious square, within its limits, were the remains of an edifice one hundred paces in length, constructed of hewn stone ; opposite to which stood the ruins of a magnifi cent palace. A fosse nine feet deep with a wall of mason-work, now three feet high, bisects the city from north to south, and is said formerly to have separated the residences of the higher and lower orders. The streets were broad and straight, intersect ing each other at right angles. A deep natural trench sur rounds the whole city, the sole entrance having been made over a narrow causeway, through a gateway formed of the chaya stone.* Zacatecas. Several miles to the north of Villa Nueva in the province of Zacatecas, and about fourteen leagues to the south ward of the city of Zacatecas, occur extensive ruins, among which are buildings still standing, nearly entire, called "Los Edificios."f They are situated upon the south, east, and west sides of a mountain or steep and abrupt rock, which has been cut with great labor into artificial terraces. This ancient city was approach ed from the south-west by a causeway ninety-three feet broad, which commences at an enclosure containing about six acres and surrounded by a broad wall, of which the foundations are still visible running first to the south and afterwards to the east. Off the south-western angle of this enclosure, stands a high mass of stones, which also flanks the entrance to the causeway. In its present ruined appearance this tower is of a pyramidal * Description of Fuentes, A. D. 1700, cited in Mod. Trav. Mexico, vol. ii. p. 271. t Lyon's Journal of a Tour in Mexico, vol. i. pp. 225, 226, &c. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 91 form, but on close examination its figure can be traced by the remains of solid walls, to have been a square of thirty-one feet at the base, and of the same height. On the other side of the cause way is a similar tower more injured and decayed. From this spot the causeway runs to the north-east, the distance of four hundred yards, where it reaches the foot of the cliff. At this point two other towers, similar to those described at the en trance of the causeway, may be observed ; these probably guarded the inner entrance to the citadel. In the middle of the causeway, which is raised about a foot and has its rough pavement still uninjured, is a large heap of stones, as if the re mains of an altar, around which may be traced a paved border of flat slabs arranged in the figure of a six-rayed star. As you ascend into the city, the first object striking the atten tion, is a quadrangle two hundred and forty feet by two hundred, which to the east is sheltered by a strong wall of unhewn stones eight feet in thickness and eighteen in height. A raised terrace twenty feet in width passes around the northern and eastern sides of this quadrangle; on the south-east corner of the eastern terrace is yet standing a round pillar of rough stones, eighteen feet high and nineteen feet in circumference, and there appear to have been five other pillars on the eastern, and four on the northern terrace.* From the eastern side of this quadrangle you enter another, entirely surrounded by perfect walls of the same height and thick ness as those of the former one, and measuring one hundred and fifty-four feet by one hundred and thirty -seven. In this are yet standing fourteen very well constructed pillars, of equal dimen sions with that in the adjoining enclosure, and arranged four * Lyon's Journal of a Tour in Mexico, vol. i. p. 227. 92 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. in length and three in breadth of the quadrangle, from which on every side they separate a space of twenty-three feet in width, probably the pavement of a portico, of which they once supported the roof. In their construction, as well as in that of all the walls of these ruins, a common clay, having straw mixed with it, has been used as a cement. About three hundred yards to the northward of these quad rangles, is a perfect, square, flat-topped pyramid of large un hewn stones, standing unattached to any other buildings, at the foot of the eastern brow of the mountain, which rises ab ruptly behind it. Its base measures fifty feet, and its height precisely the same. Off the south-east corner of this pyramid, and at about fifteen yards distance, is to be seen the edge of a circle of stones, eight feet in diameter, enclosing a bowl-shaped pit, in which the action of fire is still plainly visible, the earth containing soot and ashes mixed with pieces of broken pottery. At the distance of one hundred yards south-west of this pyramid, is a small one, twelve feet square, much injured, and situated on somewhat higher ground, in the steep part of the ascent to the mountain's brow. On its eastern face, which is towards the declivity, the height is eighteen feet, and apparently there have been steps by which to descend thence, to a quad rangular space, extending east one hundred feet by a width of fifty, and surrounded by a broad terrace. In the middle of this enclosure is another bowl-shaped pit somewhat wider than the first. This quadrangle and the pyramids, just described are on the eastern side of the mountain, in the ascent of which, other ruins are encountered. On this eastern face is a platform twenty- eight feet wide, faced by a parapet wall ; and from the base of AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 93 this wall extends a second platform one hundred and eighteen feet wide, with a similar parapet. These form the outer defen sive works of the mountain, which from its figure has materially favored their construction. From this eastern face a slightly raised and paved causeway, about twenty-five feet in width, descends across the valley in the direction of the rising sun, and being continued on the opposite side of a stream which flows through it, can be traced up the mountains at two miles dis tance, until it terminates at the base of an immense stone edifice.* In the ascent to the edifices upon the mountain, a well but tressed, but ruined wall is passed. This is a double wall, one ten feet wide, having been first constructed, and then covered with a very smooth kind of cement; after which the second has been built against it. Its height on the steepest side is twenty- one feet, and the width on the summit, which is level with an extensive platform, is the same. This platform faces the south, measures eighty-nine feet by seventy-two, and on its northern side stand the ruins of a square building, having within it an open space, in the middle of which rises a mound of stones, eight feet in height. A little further on from this platform, there is an entrance, by a broad opening between two very perfect and massive walls, to a square of one hundred and fifty feet, surrounded on the south, east, and west, by an elevated terrace, having in the middle of each side steps whereby to descend into the square. On the south of this square are two broad entrances, on the east, is another thirty feet in width, communicating with a per fect enclosed square of two hundred feet ; and on the west is a * Lyon's Journal, vol. i. p.. 229. 94 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. small opening, leading to an artificial cave or dungeon.* To the north, the square is bounded by the steep mountain, and in the middle of that side stands a pyramid with seven stages, which in many places are quite perfect. It is flat-topped, has four sides, and measures at the base thirty- eight by thirty-five feet, while its height is nineteen. Immediately behind this pyramid, and on all that portion of the hill which faces the square, are numerous tiers of seats, either cut in the rock, or built of rough stones. In the middle of the square, and due south of the pyramid, is a small quadrangular building, five feet high, which it has been supposed was an altar. On the west of this square are the remains of an aqueduct, and the entrance to the cavern before alluded to. This en trance is narrow, well built with burnt brick, and smoothly plastered, but in consequence of the removal of some beams of wood that supported the roof, it has fallen in, and become impassable. The cave, it has been thought, was a place of confinement for victims, who were sacrificed in the great square just described, and then precipitated down a cliff in its immedi ate vicinity. " A road or causeway terminates at the foot of this precipice, exactly beneath the cave, and overhanging rock ; and conjecture can find no other idea of its intended utility, unless as being in some manner connected with the purpose of the dungeon." From this point the ascent conducts to numerous other buildings, and to several tanks, constructed with great care and strength. From the summit of the rock, there may be distinctly traced three straight and very extensive causeways diverging from the causeway first described. The most remarkable of these, which is forty-six feet in \vidth, commences at a high * Lyon's Journal of a Tour in Mexico, vol. i. r>. 232. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 95 and long artificial mound, immediately beyond the river, to wards the Hacienda of La Quemada, runs south-west for two miles, and crossing the grand causeway is continued to the foot of the cliff, immediately beneath the cave. The second may be traced south-south-west four miles, and the third, north-west by south still further, ceasing, as is reported, at some mountain six miles distant. All these roads are slightly raised, are perfectly straight, and paved with rough stones. On the summit of a rock terminating the ridge, about half a mile to the north-west of these ruins, are other buildings : among them there may be distinguished a regular pyramid, with sloping sides, a square base, and flat top, and with steps in the middle of its southern face, by which to ascend to the summit ; and also massive walls, long mounds of stone, and a small square pyramid with three steps or terraces. In the vicinity, the remains of plaster have been found, and porphyry arrow-heads, but no fragments of obsidian. An im mense block of porphyry is pointed out, called "Piedra del Monarca," on which there is a natural or artificial indentation, somewhat resembling the print of a naked foot, which, as the tradition runs, has been caused by actual pressure.* * This description has been taken, with great freedom, from Captain Lyon's valuable account, and has been rather minutely tran scribed, from the circumstance that it presents evidence of the ex istence of ruins far to the north of Mexico, which are analogous to those in Central America and Yucatan : for which reason also it has been placed in the text so as to facilitate immediate comparison with the latter. M. Joseph Burkart also visited these ruins, during his residence in Mexico, and in his opinion, they " date their origin from a jriod long, very long before the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards." 96 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. Copan. In Honduras, on the right or northern bank of the river Copan, a tributary of the Motagua, are the ruins of the ancient city of Copan. The remains of fallen buildings are to be observed extending along the river for two miles; and among these, at an elevation of forty yards above the water, and standing at the eastern extremity of the city, is a large edifice, two hundred and fifty yards long from north to south, and two hundred yards broad from east to west. Its base appears to have been an elevated terrace, accessible from the exterior, on three of its sides, by stone steps, which in some parts are in a state of ruin. After ascending these, there is a descent by flights of stairs into a square in the middle of the edifice, twenty yards above the level of the river : a gallery scarcely four feet high and two and a half broad leads from this square, through a more elevated part of the building overhanging the river, to an opening on the face of the precipice. Among many exca vations, one made at the entrance of this gallery disclosed a sepulchral vault, more than six feet high, ten feet long, and five and a half broad, and lying due north and south according to the compass. Upon each of its sides there were two niches, which, as well as the floor of the vault, were full of red earth enware dishes and pots, many of them filled with human bones packed in lime. The floor of the vault was constructed of solid stone coated with lime, and was strewed with fragments of bones. Among the articles found in this chamber were knives of chaya, stalactites, marine shells; and a small head, appa rently representing death, its eyes being nearly shut and the lower features distorted : it was of exquisite workmanship, and " cut out or cast from a fine stone covered with green enamel." The most remarkable objects in these ruins are stone col- AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 97 umns, ten or eleven feet high and about three broad, with a less thickness, seven of which are standing entire, and numerous others fallen and destroyed. Upon one side of these obelisks were wrought in low relief human figures, sculptured with a full front and with their hands resting on their breast : " they are dressed with caps on their heads, and sandals on their feet, and clothed in highly adorned garments, generally reaching half way down the thigh, but sometimes in long pantaloons." The back and sides of the obelisks generally contain hieroglyphics in square tablets ; and opposite these monuments, at a distance of three or four yards, was commonly placed a stone table or altar. One of these altars, in the temple, which is two feet four inches high and four feet ten inches square, contains upon its top forty-nine square tablets of hieroglyphics ; and its four sides are occupied by sixteen human figures in low relief, sitting cross-legged on cushions carved in the stone, with fans in their hands. " Monstrous figures are found amongst the ruins ; one rep resents the colossal head of an alligator, having in its jaws a figure with a human face, but the paws of an animal ; another monster has the appearance of a gigantic toad in an erect pos ture, with human arms and tiger's claws. On neighboring hills stand, one to the east and the other to the west of the city, two obelisks containing hieroglyphics alone, in squares ; these obelisks, like the generality of those in the city, are painted red, and are thicker and broader at the top than at the bottom. Mounts of stone, formed by fallen edifices, are found throughout the neighboring country."* * This description is taken from a paper, written at Copan, Tjy Colonel Galindo, late Governor of the Province of Peten, in Central 13 98 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. Copan at the conquest was a large and populous city ; we find it mentioned as inhabited so late as 1570, but it is now deserted.* From the description afforded by Fuentes, as cited in Juarros, there is reason to suppose that some of the obelisks were arranged in a circular form. He wrote in the year 1700, and describes as existing at that time, entire, " the Great Circus of Copan," "a circular space surrounded by stone pyramids about six yards high, at the bases of which are figures, both male and female, habited in the Castilian costume, of very ex cellent sculpture, and colored" " In the middle of the area," he adds, " a flight of steps led to the place of sacrifice. At a short distance is a stone gateway, on the pillars of which are sculptured figures, likewise in Spanish habits ; and on entering this gateway two fine stone pyramids present themselves, from which is suspended a hammock containing two human figures clothed in the Indian style. Astonishment is forcibly excited on viewing this structure, because, large as it is, there is no America, and published in Archseologia Americana, vol. ii. p. 545. The author, in his Communication to the President of the American Antiquarian Society, explains the cause of its brevity in the following words: "The Government of Central America intends publishing, in Castilian, a long report I have drawn up, with relation to the ruins and history of this place, with various plans, views, and copies of figures and inscriptions ; I therefore at present confine myself to these few remarks." * Colonel Galindo says that " this place remained long celebrated for the superior quality of its tobacco ; but the cultivation of this plant being removed, as royal property, to the Llanos de Santa Rosa, towards the east, seventy-five years ago, Copan has gradually fallen into decay, and is now reduced to a small hamlet, in the western sub urb of the ancient city." Arch. Am. vol. ii. p. 459. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 99 appearance of the component parts being joined together ; and although entirely of stone, and of an enormous weight, it may be put in motion by the slightest impulse of the hand."* About seventeen leagues directly south of Merida in the peninsula of Yucatan are the ruins of Uxmal or Itzlan.f The same exaggerated statements have been made with regard to the extent of these remains, as in relation to those of Palenque. These edifices are situated on a plain eight leagues long and from one half to two leagues broad ; those we are about to describe occupy, however, but a small circuit. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries they were in a good state of preservation, and most of the injuries now perceptible are of recent date.J These monuments when discovered were in the midst of a for est, with trees growing everywhere upon their surface. The city, according to Waldeck, is extended in a south-westerly di rection; and in the space of eight leagues, many monuments may be found at short intervals from each other. The most remark able edifices lie together, and consist, in the first place, of four great buildings, arranged on the sides of a quadrangular terrace, * Juarros, cited in Modern Traveller, Mexico, vol. ii. pp. 299, 300. Waldeck says that this hammock is not to be found at Copan. f Voyage Pittoresque et Archeologique Dans La Province D' Yu catan, 1834, 1836, par Frederick De Waldeck, p. 68. J Uxmal, says Mr. Waldeck, signifies " Temps passe" p. 68. Cog- olludo and Gutierre are referred to by Waldeck, as " the only guides of modern authors." But Uxmal is probably the same place as was visited by the Rev. Father Thomas de Soza, and described as situ ate twenty leagues to the southward of the city of Merida, and where he reported that he had seen stone edifices covered with stucco orna ments and statues of men beating drums, and dancing with palms in their hands. Del Rio, p. 7. 100 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. which is fifteen feet high, and about a thousand in circuit ; its sides corresponding accurately with the cardinal points. The length of the building which faces the south is two hundred and twen ty-nine feet eight inches, and its breadth twenty-seven feet eight inches. It is divided into sixteen chambers disposed in two rows, over the doors of which there are rings of stone, supposed to have been used as supporters to tapestries or curtains ; and two lateral chambers across which, beams of wood, one of which is still visible, appear to have been placed, wherefrom hammocks, it is conjectured, were suspended. Over the doorways of these cham bers, and on the inner facade of the building, are eighteen repre sentations of the sign calli : these representations are variously ornamented. The whole of this extensive building is bisected by a great doorway or entrance, whence you penetrate into the great square or court. This edifice is not so high as any of the other four, the loftiest of which is the one situated on the northern side of the square. The monument on the north side is much decayed and dis integrated, but its dimensions, the number of its chambers, and the character of its ornaments, are precisely like those of the southern building. The edifice on the eastern side of the terrace is one hun dred and seventy-six feet five inches long, thirty-four feet six inches broad, is entered by four doorways, and is divided into fourteen chambers ; upon its facade an emblem of the sun similar to the Mexican is repeated seven times. That on the western side of the terrace is, with a slight variation, of the same size, except in height, and of the same general construction as the others. Within, and enclosed by this quadrangular mass of buildings, is a corridor six feet AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 101 wide running round the four sides, whence there is a descent by a flight of steps from each of the four temples to a spacious open rectangular court. This court is curiously paved with stones six inches square, each of which is exquisitely cut in demi-relief, with the full and accurate figure of a tortoise. These are arranged in fours, with the heads of the tortoises to gether. They are forty-three thousand six hundred and sixty in number, covering the whole superficies of the court, and though composed of a very hard stone, appear much worn. The terrace on which these four edifices are erected, was accessible on its eastern and southern sides, by stairs or steps, which now are little more than inclined planes, for most of the steps have crumbled away. This terrace was flanked on its northern and southern sides, at a short distance, by ten tumuli symmetrically arranged five on each side which have been destroyed in the search after treasures ; and in its vicinity are other remains of terraces and buildings, which, so far as they have been examined, appear to be of a similar cha racter. The Great Teocalli which is situated to the east of the mass of buildings just described, is a lofty pyramid,* with an exterior coating of stone work. The stones used at the base are the largest, and their size diminishes as you proceed up ward to the platform. The slab above the door, and the four pillars of the eastern faqade of the temple on its summit, are the only large stones observable in this structure. This pyra mid was ascended on the eastern side by a flight of one hundred steps, each of which was one foot high and five inches broad. Its superior platform is ninety-one feet eight inches long, * Mr. Waldeck says, "the loftiest and most remarkable of fif teen I have seen." p. 71. 102 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. and forty-five feet wide, and supports a temple eighty-one feet eight inches long, by fourteen feet eight inches broad. This temple contained three chambers, and on its front, on the western side of the pyramid, is a little platform, the sides of which are curiously sculptured, and whereon, it is supposed, sacrifices were performed ; after which the dead bodies were precipitated down the side of the pyramid. On the western facade of the temple are four human figures, similar to Cary atides, cut in stone, with great fidelity and elegance. Their hands are crossed upon the breast, and hold some instrument ; the head is enveloped in a covering resembling a casque, with an ear appendage like the Egyptian ; about the neck is a gar ment of the skin of the Caiman, with a border beautifully worked ; and about the body is a girdle. Above each of these is a sculptured death's head, with four cross-bones. All these sculptures are executed with great richness, and are brilliantly colored. The east facade of the temple has two apartments or doorways, and two little pavilions, each supported by two pilasters, above which appear some indications of capitals. The sides of this pyramid were covered with trees,* and are very pre cipitous : upon its corners, it is thought the head of the elephant is sculptured. It may be observed in conclusion that at Uxmal no reliefs in stucco appear, but all its sculptures are in stone, well cut ; and some of them subsequently covered with stucco. The ruins are of a colossal character, and on a scale of grandeur. The walls of the chambers in the temples, though constructed of hewn stone, are stuccoed with a hard black stucco, and there * The largest trees were only five inches in diameter. Waldeck, p. 98. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 103 are no paintings upon them. These cells have no windows, and their ceilings are arched with the Cyclopean arch. The small stones which ornament the faqades of the temples, are cut with great care into precise geometrical figures, and are laid with extreme accuracy. " J'ai mesure tous ces details," says Waldeck, " J'ai fait glisserle plomb sur toutes les jointures, et je nai jamais trouve la plus legere deviation sousle cordeau." Many symbolic figures and hieroglyphics are represented on various parts of the ruins ; these are all of consequence, in a comparative view of the American Antiquities, but in one in stance we have a design of great singularity. It consists of a double triangle and globe, so arranged as to suggest the idea of having been intended to symbolize the four elements, earth, air, fire and water. Seven leagues from Merida are ruins of edifices constructed with stones of enormous size, and covered with sculptures. They are called " Tixhualajtun," a word, it is said, signifying " a place where one stone is over another." Here have been observed one hundred and seventeen stones, sculptured with hieroglyphic signs, and inserted in the wall. The empty places of fourteen of these stones, which have fallen down, are observed, which make, to gether with the others, one hundred and thirty-one, marking, as is maintained, one hundred and thirty-one Katouns or Maya ages. A part of this wall has fallen down, so that the whole number of Katouns which may have existed there is left to con jecture.* Beneath the city of Campeachy are subterranean cham bers excavated in the rock. It is difficult to say whether they were employed as dwellings or as sepulchres ; though the * Waldeck, p. 73. -' I 104 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. latter conjecture appears the most probable.* Not far from this city are some fine ruins, and also a large tumulus together with several smaller ones of different sizes. It is said that the island of Cozumel where Cortez first landed, lying off the north eastern coast of Yucatan, also abounds in ancient remains. Of the fortifications of the Mexicans and the neighboring na tions, the annals of the conquerors afford us very copious descrip tions. For the protection of their towns and cities, they employed palisadoes,f ditches,J entrenchments and walls of solid mason- work. Besides the vestiges of these works still to be perceived near some of the ruins of cities already described, others have been discovered more justly entitled to the rank of fortresses. Near the village of Molcaxac, the top of a mountain is sur rounded by four walls placed at some distance from each other, from the base to the summit of the mountain. Twenty-five miles north of Cordova are the ruins of the fortress of Guatusco, consisting of high walls of stone, the only access to which is by a flight of high and narrow steps. Among the traces of the ancient fortifications may yet be observed those of the great wall of Tlascala,|| a monument which in its design and character reminds us of similar structures in the eastern hemisphere. It was constructed, as Cortez was informed by the Indians, by the " ancient inhabitants" of that republic, to defend themselves against the invasions of their enemies : other portions of the fron tier were protected in a similar manner by ditches and entrench- ments.H De Solis describes it as ' ' a great wall which ran from the one mountain to the other, entirely stopping up the way: a sump- * Waldeck, pp. 9, 10, 11, 28, 102. f De Solis, vol. i. p. 93. | Ibid, vol. ii. p. 391. Clavigero, vol. i. p. 313. II Humboldt's Pol. Essay, vol. ii. p. 119. Clavigero, vol. i. p. 373. De Solis, vol. ii. p. 235. If Clavigero, p. 34. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 105 tuous and strong piece of building, which showed the power and greatness of the owner. The outside was of hewn stone cemented with mortar of extraordinary strength. It was twenty feet thick and a fathom and a half high ; and on the top was a parapet after the manner of our fortifications. The entrance was narrow and winding, the wall in that part dividing, and making two walls, which circularly crossed each other for the space often paces."* Clavigero, who says its remains were still visible when he wrote, describes it as stretching from one moun tain to another, six miles in length, eight feet in height, besides the breastwork, eighteen feet in thickness, and as made of stone cemented with mortar.f The remains of the Granaries and Temazcalli have not wholly disappeared. The former were storehouses in which the maize was collected, and were constructed either of wood or stone. The only entrances or outlets were two windows, one near the base, the other near the top of the building and somewhat larger than the former. The Temazcalli or vapor baths were built with stone or brick, in the form of a dome. The entrance was low and near the bottom, the floor was slightly convex and the roof arched, the height from five to six feet, and the diameter about eight. J None of the ruins exhibit the skill, enterprise, industry and perseverance of the ancient inhabitants, more than those of their roads and aqueducts. Many of these have already been incidentally noticed ; and it is manifest from the remains of some of their roads, that both in their design, and in the cha- * De Soils, vol. i. p. 242. English Translation, London, 1738. t Clav. vol. i. p. 373. { Clav. vol. ii, p. 371. Ibid. vol. i. pp. 429, 377. 14 106 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. racter of their structure, they were public works worthy of any of the civilized nations of Europe in the sixteenth century. Along these were stationed, couriers, who communicated intelli gence from one part of the country to another a system of posting we are surprised to find existing in America at that period. The city of Mexico, which was built on several islands near the shore of the lake, was connected to the mainland by four great causeways or dikes, the remains of which still exist.* One of these to the south, the same by which Cortez enter ed, was nearly two leagues long another to the north about one league, and the third at the west somewhat less.f The fourth supported the celebrated aqueduct of Chapoltepec, by which water was conducted from springs, upon an insulated hill of that name, at the distance of from two to three miles. They were all constructed in a massive style with earth and stone, and with the exception of the last were so broad that ten horsemen could ride abreast / These causeways and the roads which led from them were of recent construction, and demon strate that the Mexicans were fully competent to the erection of monuments equal to the ancient roads of Xochicalco and Zacatecas. The aqueduct of Chapoltepec consisted of two conduits formed of solid mason work each five feet high and two paces broad by which the water was introduced into the * Humboldt's Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 32. t De Solis, vol. i. p. 394. Clavig. vol. ii. p. 71. j: Cortez says in his letter to Charles V., they were "of the breadth of two lances." De Solis, vol. ii. p. 414. Ibid. vol. i. p. 408. Humboldt's Pol. Essay, vol. ii. p. 30. Clavig. vol. i. p. 421. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 107 city for the supply of various fountains. Olid and Alvarado commenced the siege of Mexico by attempting to cut off this supply of water, an enterprise which the Mexicans endeav ored to prevent. " There appeared on that side," says De Solis, " two or three rows of pipes, made of trees hollowed, supported by an aqueduct of lime and stone, and the enemy had cast up some trenches to cover the avenue to it. But the two captains marched out of Tacuba with most of their troops, and though they met with a very obstinate resistance, they drove the enemy from their post, and broke the pipes and aqueduct in two or three places, and the water took its natural course into the lake." Humboldt says, there are still to be perceived the remains of another aqueduct, which conducted to the city the waters of the spring of Amilco, near Churubusco. This aque duct, as described by Cortez, consisted of two conduits composed of clay tempered with mortar, about two paces in breadth, and raised about six feet. In one of them was conveyed a stream of excellent water, as large as the body of a man, into the centre of the city. The other was empty, so that when it be came necessary to clean or repair the former, the water might be turned into it ;* which was the case also with those of Cha- poltepec, "of which one was always in use, whenever the other required cleaning."f Sculpture. We still can trace among the natives of this part of the continent, indications of that peculiar talent for rich, complicated, and laborious sculpture, which must have distinguished the authors of the idols, statues and planispheres * Robertson's Hist. Am. note 148. De Solis, vol. ii. p. 414. Lozenzano, p. 108, cited in Humboldt. t De Solis, vol. i. p. 408. 108 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. that adorned their palaces and temples. Humboldt remarks, that the Mexicans have preserved a particular fondness for the art of carving in wood or stone, and expresses his astonishment " at what they are able to execute with a bad knife on the hardest wood,"* and at their " great aptitude in the exercise of the arts of imitation." Waldeck makes a similar remark of the Yucatanese, and speaks of their natural talent and skill for carving in stone, even with the rudest instruments.! Besides the remains of ancient sculpture which have been found in many of the ruins already described, there are some other idols and monuments which merit attention, both as justifying these observations, and as possessing some interest in themselves. Within the cathedral of Mexico, sunk in the earth, with the surface alone visible, is the celebrated piece of sculpture called the Stone of Sacrifice. It is a porphyry stone, twenty-five feet in circumference, containing in the centre a head in relief, sur rounded by twenty groups of two figures each, all represented in the same attitude. One of the figures is always the same ; being a warrior, with his right hand resting on the helmet of a man, who is offering him flowers in token of submission, and who, sup posed to represent a captive, wears the dress of the nation to which he belonged ; behind him is a hieroglyphic denoting the conquered province. On the upper surface of the stone, there is a groove of some depth, designed to let off the blood of the victims. This stone, as is thought by Humboldt, was intended as an area, upon which the customary gladiatorial contests be tween foreign prisoners destined for sacrifice, and six Mexican w r arriors, took place. If the unfortunate captive succeeded in * Political Essay, vol. i. p. 129. f Waldeck, p. 34. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 109 conquering all his opponents, notwithstanding the great nume rical advantage against him, he was released ; otherwise the tragedy terminated in his being dragged to the altar by the priest, who there put an end to his existence by opening his breast and tearing out his heart. In the wall of the same cathedral, there is another stone called Montezuma's watch, or the Calendar stone. This is likewise formed of porphyry, it weighs twenty-four tons, is finely cut and polished, and is twenty-seven feet in circum ference. In its centre is a head in relief, representing the sun with a yawning mouth, and protruding tongue, similar to the image of Kala, the Chronos of Hindostan. This head is sur rounded by a double row of hieroglyphics ; the outer one of which is divided into twenty compartments, and cut by eight triangular rays ; the whole system of symbols being encircled by three rows of ornaments in relief, tastefully designed and executed with precision and neatness.* The idol of the goddess Teoyamiqui, which lies concealed in the University of Mexico, a statue of colossal dimensions, and terrible form, is described by a modern traveller, " as hewn out of one solid block of basalt, nine feet high. Its outlines give an idea of a deformed human figure, uniting all that is horrible in the tiger and rattlesnake. Instead of arms, it is supplied with two large serpents, and its drapery is composed of wreath ed snakes, interwoven in the most disgusting manner, and the sides terminating in the wings of a vulture. Its feet are those * Upon the hill of Tezcuco, near Montezuma's bath, there was formerly another Toltec Calendar stone, in a perpendicular wall of rock, the sculpture of which is now wholly defaced. Latrobe's Ram bler in Mexico^ p. 140. 110 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. of a tiger, and between them lies the head of another rattle snake, which seems descending from the body of the idol. For decorations, it has a large necklace composed of human hearts, hands, and skulls, and it has evidently been painted originally in natural colors."* At Tezcuco, lying neglected under a gateway, an idol has been observed, nearly perfect, and representing a rattlesnake ; it appears to have been originally painted with various colors, which were rendered vivid and distinct when discovered, by washing. At the town of Las Tamaulipas, a village supposed to be upon the site of one of the ancient cities, and situated near Tampico, two very perfect idols sculptured in basalt have been disinterred from the earth, together with several small figures, and imitations of weapons carved in bone ;f and not far from this place, on the river Panuco, there is an ancient statue. J Still further up the Panuco, and near the Rancho of San Juan, an imperfect piece of sculpture has been seen, resembling the lion-figure-head of a ship, several more of which are reported to exist at an ancient city some few leagues distant, called Quai-a-lam. At the museum in the University at Mexico are various articles of sculpture, and among them is a variety of figures of the rattlesnake in basalt ; they are in the same pos ture, namely, a compact coil, from which the head and rattle are somewhat elevated. With these are also a few mutilated figures of men and animals, and some fragments of little dei ties^ In a private cabinet in the city of Mexico, is the statue of a female, which has been considered as the figure of an * Humboldt varies slightly from this description. Hum.Rcs.volM. f Lyon's Journal of a Tour in Mexico, etc., 1828, vol. i. pp. 21, 28. J Ibid. pp. 49, 85, 101. Ibid. vol. ii. p. 109. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. Ill Aztec priestess. This is a basaltic statue representing a fe male in a sitting posture, and it is executed with finished accu racy. Humboldt has observed that the head-dress is remarkable for resembling the Egyptian veil or calantica, more particularly that style found upon the pillars of Tentyra, and that the back is similar to that of a bronze statue of Osiris in the museum at Velletri. The peculiar difference in the Mexican sculpture consists in a string of pearls, which encircles the forehead, and which is supposed to indicate a former commercial connection between Mexico and the Pearl Coast of California.* A relief sculptured upon a hard black stone, and discovered near the town of Oaxaca, the ancient Huaxyacac, the capital of the Zapotecs, represents a warrior, who, as well as the other figures, is remarkable for a large nose, and a head-dress similar to those delineated upon the Mexican hieroglyphic paintings at Velletri. The warrior has two skulls at his girdle, and wears an apron of the jaguar skin, with its tail appended, the Mexi can vest, long sleeves, and buskins. Two naked men are seated cross-legged at his feet.f Another idol executed in basalt, found in the valley of Mexico, is distinguished for the same Egyptian style of head-dress observed in the statue of the Aztec priestess before described.J Certain granite vases of beautiful form, disinterred upon the shores of Honduras, exhibit a great resemblance in their ornaments, to those described upon the walls of Mitlan. Fragments of obsidian generally abound in the neighbor hood of the Mexican ruins. It is supposed that the quarry, from which this substance was obtained, is situated in the moun- * Humboldt's Res. vol. i. p. 43. f Ibid. vol. i. p. 130. + Ibid. vol. i. p. 90. Ibid, vol. i. p. 90. 112 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. tain of Los Pelados. On an adjacent mountain called "the Mountain of the Knives," pieces of obsidian, of the form of arrow-heads and knife-blades, which have been fractured by the ancient inhabitants for use, are found in great numbers.* The vein and the pits sunk for the working- of the obsidian are on the summit of Los Pelados, but at the present day this quarry is nearly filled up. In the museum of the University at Mexico there is a large mask of obsidian, " well carved and propor tioned, and exquisitely polished." Earthenware. In the vicinity of the ruins which have been described, large quantities of fragments of earthenware are of constant occurrence, and many entire vessels have been found, which for exquisite workmanship and graceful design are exceedingly remarkable. The art of working in clay was not however confined to the construction of vessels only, but extended to the manufacture of other articles. At Las Tamaulipas, idols in terra cotta have been dug up, representing not only the human face, but also the peculiar head-dress which was common among the former inhabitants of that district.f At the village of Panuco about forty miles above Tampico, on the river Panuco, these remains are numer ous. Among them we find described, odd, grotesque looking figures and idols in terra cotta, vases, a little bird-shaped whistle of earthenware, having two holes on each side, so that a tune might be produced from it, and a very perfect earthen flute.f Indeed, the streets of Panuco are to this day strewed thickly with the remains of ancient crockery ; and often, after heavy * Lyon's Tour in Mexico, vol. ii. p. 143, 145. f Ibid. vol. i. pp. 28, 100. J Ibid. pp. 52, 53, 54. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 113 rains, entire vessels and toys are found washed down the water courses." One of these vases is said to have been carved with those peculiar flourishes, introduced in the Mexican manuscripts, and another flute composed of a very compact red clay appeared to have been once polished, and painted. It had four holes, and the mouth part was in the form of a grotesque head. " Some of the vases yet retain their colors and vitreous glazing, and many are of an earth as light and well baked, as that of Tusca ny ; while the figures, from their singular attitudes and gro tesque expression, might serve as models to the toy-makers of the present day. The flutes, single and double, with two, three or four holes, the oddly shaped pipes and whistles, and the jars modelled into birds, toads and other animals all in terra cotta, exhibit as much humor as ingenuity, and are found, either entire or broken, in such quantities as to induce a belief that Panuco was actually a mart for crockery-ware." These fig ures, it may be remarked, to save repetition, bear the closest re semblance to those of other terra cottas, found in more distant provinces. Hieroglyphical Paintings* It would be far beyond the scope of this brief notice, of some of the monuments of the southern portion of North America, to give a detailed view of the contents of those hieroglyphical paintings, which record nearly all that is left to us, of the ancient history and customs of the inhabitants of that territory. Though the number saved from the hands of the Spaniards is few, even these remnants are rich in minute de scriptions of the annals, manners, religion, science and polity of the various nations. Fragments of hieroglyphic manuscripts are preserved in libra- 15 114 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. ries at Berlin, Dresden, the Escurial, Vienna, Velletri, Rome, Bologna and Mexico. One of those at Berlin, made after the Spanish conquest, contains the genealogy of the Princes of Azcapozalco,* a small district in the valley of Mexico. These kings claimed to be of Acolhuan descent, and of ancient and noble blood. From this picture two points may be gathered : 1st. That the dead are delineated, as having their feet wrap ped up ; while the living are distinguished by small tongues placed near the mouth, and by having their feet at liberty. 2d. That the names of these princes are represented by hieroglyphics tied to the head ; these names were pronounced by the natives, upon observing the symbol. Attached to this manuscript is a curious description of a lawsuit: paint ings of this kind, were used as statements of the claims of liti gant parties, and left with the judge both as minutes of the evi dence, and as records. Other paintings in the Berlin collection contain lists of tributes, detailed genealogies, and historical de scriptions of the various migrations into New Spain. In some of them, the figure of the Aztec shield is worthy of notice, as being similar to some found upon Etruscan vases.f Of the Codices Vaticana? at Rome, which are mentioned by Acosta, one is thought to consist of ritual almanacs. Upon one of its pages we find an adoration entirely Hindoo in its character. It is made before a deity, by a human figure touching the ground with his right hand, and his mouth with the left.J In the other of these manuscripts shields are again depicted resembling the Etruscan ; and warriors contending with the net, very much * Humboldt's Res., vol. i. p. 135. f Ibid. vol. ii. p. 89. J Ibid, vol. i. p. 194. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 115 after the manner of the Roman Retiarii. The princes are distinguished by a red ribbon tying the hair, the badge of nobles and heroes ; and the kings are exhibited with naked feet, as it was their custom always to be carried ; many of the figures, wear beads or rosaries.* The Mexican manuscripts seen by Humboldt, in the palace of the viceroy in the city of Mexico, represented the journeys of the Aztecs from the north, the construction of several cities, and the principal events of their wars.f The Codex Borgianus of Velletri is the largest one in Italy, and contains a ritual and astrological almanac.J Among other curious figures, we find a priest wearing a remarkable helmet, resembling the trunk of an elephant ; and upon another page, the head of a priest sacrificing, covered with a pointed cap, the original of which occurs frequently in eastern Asia and on the north-west coast of America. In the Vienna collection we find the targets and shields before referred to, and the outlines of temples. The human figures are generally distinguished by the absence of beard, large Roman noses, and the pointed form of the head, though, there is often considerable variety in the features.|| * Humboldt's Res., vol. ii. p. 20. Vol. i. pp. 203, 204. t Ibid. vol. i. p. 189. See also Clavigero, vol. i. p. 30. J Humboldt's Res., vol. ii. pp. 36, 204, 211. Robertson's Hist. Am., p. 365. || " This collection," says Dr. Robertson, who had accurate copies taken of them, " appears to have been a present from Emmanuel, King of Portugal, to Pope Clement VII., who died A. D. 1583. After passing through the hands of several illustrious proprietors, it fell into those of the Cardinal of Saxe-Eisenach, who presented it to the Em peror Leopold." History of America, p. 365, Note. 116 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. The manuscript in the Escurial appears to contain a sacred or ritual calendar,* and shows the signs of the days and months, together with their astrological influences. The Mendoza collection of paintings, which is probably now lost, was owned by Hakluyt and published by Purchas.f It was divided into three parts 5 the first giving the history of the Aztec dynasty of Mexico, from the foundation of that city to the death of Montezuma ; the second, a list of the tributes paid by each town and province to the Emperor ; and the third containing a view of Mexican manners and institutions, public and domestic-! Mexican temples are here delineated, usually of a pyramidal form, but occasionally constructed in another style. The pyramids are divided into steps or terraces, and have buildings upon their summits, where we find priests sit ting, and watching the stars, The Codex Mexicanus of Bologna relates, like that of the Escurial, to astronomy and religion ; and that of Dresden ex hibits strong indications of real hieroglyphics. The copies at Paris, and those of Gemelli and Boturini,|| seem to be authentic, and are almost as valuable as originals ; * Robertson's Hist. Am., p. 366. f This collection, made by Don Antonio Mendoza, the first bishop of Mexico, was sent as a present to Charles V. Falling into the hands of the French, they came into the possession of the geographer The- venot, of whose heirs they were purchased by Hakluyt. It is said that a Mexican painting exists at Oxford, which may probably be a fragment of the collection of Purchas. HumboldCs Res., vol. i. p. 188. % Clavigero, vol. i. p. 29. Robertson, p. 229. Humboldt's Res., vol. i. pp. 180, 184, 186. Clavigero, vol. i. p. 406. || Robertson, pp. 365, 229. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 117 among them are the Mexican annals and migrations, chronolo gical calculations, and tribute rolls.* The material, upon which the paintings are depicted, is of two kinds ; those at Rome, Vienna, Velletri and Bologna are on stag-skins; others are formed upon the Maguey or Agave paper, made, like the Egyptian rolls of papyrus, by a transverse disposition of the fibres of the leaves, after being macerated in water.f Some specimens of Mexican paper are as thin as the Chinese ; and others, such as the manuscripts of the Escurial, are of great thickness.| Many of the paintings have*explana- tory notes appended to them, in the Spanish or Mexican lan guage, which are valuable as expositions contemporaneous with a period, when the picture writing was better understood than * The copies of Gemelli were taken from the paintings in the col lection of Siguenza, which, at his death, passed into the hands of the Jesuits in Mexico. Boturini, who was ardently devoted to the study of Mexican history, formed a valuable museum, during his long resi dence in that country, in which were many of these paintings. When he unfortunately became an object of suspicion to the Spanish govern ment his manuscripts were seized ; some of them were lost by the capture of the vessel in which they were sent to Europe. Some came into the possession of the Archbishop of Toledo, a portion of which was published ; and probably most of the remainder have perished, excepting a few still left in the city of Mexico. Clamgero^ vol. i. p. 30. A copy of one, representing the Mexican migrations, has recently been published by Mr. Delafield. t Humboldt's Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 375. t Waldeck, who thinks that many of the manuscripts have been fabricated or forged, says that those painted before the arrival of the Spaniards may be distinguished by the thickness of the paper. Voy age Pittoresque, p. 46. 118 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. at present. The volumes were not separated into leaves, nor formed into rolls, but were folded up in a zig-zag manner, like the Siamese manuscripts.* The pictorial part of the manu scripts, exhibits forms which betray very little skill in delinea tion, and less elegance and taste in design, but it has been justly remarked, that the principal forms have doubtless been early fixed, and as their sole purpose was the conveyance of ideas, there existed a strong necessity for adhering to the origi nal figures; any change being productive of much more confu sion thai| would be produced by an alteration of the alphabet, or of the grammatical construction of our own language. The human forms are usually dwarfish and with large heads, like those on the Etruscan reliefs, and the heads are always repre sented in profile : among them, grotesque and hideous figures continually occur, reminding us of the Hindoo representations of deities.f It has been insisted that the Mexicans possessed no hiero glyphics. Without entering at this time into the discussion, it may be observed here, that the picture writings separately con sidered, cannot of course be considered as hieroglyphics for representing individual and particular occurrences, they were widely different from that system of communication, which possesses the power of indicating general ideas by symbolic signs. In the manuscripts, however, we find figures which have been arbitrarily chosen to indicate certain objects, and others which are real hieroglyphics representing the elements, the relations of number, time, and place, and proper names. * Humboldt's Res., vol. i. p. 163. f Ibid. vol. 1. 165, etc. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 119 It will be perceived, that in these brief notices of the most remarkable ruins in this portion of the continent, such detailed and minute descriptions, as are afforded by the sources from whence they have been taken, have been avoided. The object has been, to embrace a general view of their style, character, numbers, and local position, so as to lay the basis of a general comparison of all the American monuments and not to attempt a particular and circumstantial description ; which, to be un derstood, should be accompanied with pictorial illustrations. Among those omitted, are numerous designs, ornaments in stucco, sculptures and hieroglyphics, to which a verbal delineation could by no possibility render justice ; allusion will be made to these, however, whenever they become important in shedding any light upon the history of their authors, and it will be seen that some of them are valuable evidences, in the solution of various inter esting questions involved in the present investigation. Before passing to a view of the other ancient American monuments, it may be useful to inquire, what conclusions may be drawn from those just examined. Their Antiquity. Though all of these ruins are at this time deserted, it is by no means just to suppose that they are the relics of a people now become extinct. When this country was invaded by the Spanish conquerors, as has already been observed, it was, like Peru, occupied by a polished and culti vated race. Many of its cities were then large and flourishing, and inhabited by a numerous population. Their magnificent palaces were still the residences of princes, and the temples still devoted to their original sacred uses. The arts were in a high state of advancement science was cultivated religion well 120 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. established, and powerful governments in firm and substantial existence. It may accordingly be maintained, beyond the fear of contradiction, that some of these structures, or in any event, similar ones, were erected by the ancestors of the present In dian tribes occupying that region. But as might be naturally inferred, and as is clearly proved by traditional and other testi mony, these nations had not escaped the ordinary lot of human affairs, but had been subjected to all the consequences of inva sions, wars, and revolutions, through the long period which had elapsed since their first settlement here, to the time of the dis covery ; and consequently, as we must assign different dates to the origin of these cities respectively, it is probable, and in some cases almost certain, that many of them were already de serted and left to decay when the Spaniards first arrived, while others were still inhabited. We are informed that w r hen Cor- tez entered Mexico, the great Teocalli of that city had been but recently erected and we are also told that it was built after the model of the pyramids, constructed by the Toltecs a peo ple to whom were ascribed, as was the custom in the absence of any definite testimony, all such edifices as were manifestly of great antiquity. The pyramids of Teotihuacan and Cholula were said to be of Toltecan origin and the latter is associated with some of the oldest Mexican religious traditions. These pyramids then were the models for subsequent imitation ; but by common consent it is acknowledged, that the era of the ar rival of the Toltecs in Mexico, as pointed out by the Mexican hieroglyphic manuscripts, was as far back as the seventh cen tury. We have therefore the testimony of the Mexicans them selves, that some of those edifices proceeded from a nation who AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 121 had occupied that country, before the Aztec tribes, at a very early period, and it will be seen hereafter, from other evidences, that their antiquity may be carried back still further. 2. Their general resemblance. It is impossible to survey the remains of the monuments of these ancient nations, without per ceiving, however much they may vary in minor details, that they proceeded from branches of the same great race ; and for this reason all these ruins have been embraced in one general view, without distinction of authorship. A strict and particular analogy it would be unphilosophical to expect ; for, notwith standing the common origin of their authors, they had been separated, probably for many ages, into distinct societies and governments ; but yet, from Zacatecas in the north, to Guate mala and Yucatan in the south and east, we can trace certain leading and marked characteristics in the productions of the arts, which tend to give them a general similitude in style and appearance. One of the most common indications of this uniformity, is the presence of enormous pyramids ; and when these are ab sent, or are not to be discerned in the form of perfect pyramids, the same species of structure may be observed in immense pyramidal terraces, which served as the bases of more finished and elaborate buildings, and this too at widely separated points, for the edifices at Zacatecas bear a striking similarity to those situated at the south of Mexico. Large quadrangles and courts surrounded by buildings walls covered with cement and paintings the employment of the Cyclopean arch- extensive aqueducts, broad and paved roads or causeways the style of sculpture the peculiar form of the figures in the religious or mythological representations, common even to the Mexican 16 122 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. manuscripts the evidences of similar astronomical systems, and the use of the same system of hieroglyphics, all indicate a decided analogy in the arts, customs and institutions of these nations. This topic, however, will receive more deliberate at tention hereafter ; and in the mean time let us proceed to the examination of the aboriginal monuments in South America* AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 123 CHAPTER VI. ANTIQUITIES IN SOUTH AMERICA. SOUTH AMERICA, at the discovery, presented in the charac ter and condition of its inhabitants, an appearance very similar to that exhibited in the northern continent. Over the greater portion, were scattered numerous families of the Red race, ele vated in no respect above a state of barbarism, though still preserving some feeble traces of a lost civilization, in their cus toms and traditions. All these tribes appeared to be of the same stock, and to be characterized by the same physical and social peculiarities as the North American Indians. In the remaining part, there were several nations which were justly entitled to be considered, at least, as^emi-civilized; and among these the Peruvians were pre-eminent. Under the guidance of their enterprising sovereigns, in a career of conquest steadfastly pursued for more than four hundred years, they had subjugated, and retained under their permanent dominion, neighboring tribes and kingdoms, until their empire comprehended northern Chile on the south, and the kingdom of Quito on the north, and extended from the Pacific on the west, to the easterly Cor dilleras of the Andes.* Civilization, however, was not confined within these limits : Chile, into which country the restless and * Garcillasso de la Vega, vol. p. 16. Humboldt's Personal Nar rative, vol. v. pp. 85, 86. Humboldt's Res., vol. i. p. 177. Yupanqui, the tenth Inca, was compelled to desist from a further prosecution of 124 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. ambitious Incas had penetrated with their armies, and the northern portion of which they appear to have conquered, was occupied by various tribes far advanced above the savage state ; and to the north and north-east of the kingdom of Quito, there were nations, whose attainments in the arts were second only to those of the Peruvians. Of the history of these civ ilized races we have no knowledge, save such as may be gath ered from their traditions, or from the Peruvian chronicles, and the latter are of too suspicious a character for implicit reli ance, particularly when they relate to the customs, institutions and condition of those tribes which they conquered, previous to their subjugation. But the ancient remains still visible through out this territory, after the lapse of so many centuries, afford data for comparison with the monuments of other ^aboriginal nations, and for important conclusions as to the origin and the migrations of their authors. Mounds. Earthen mounds are found in Colombia, Peru and Chile, similar to those of North America, and like them, containing the bones of the dead, besides articles which dis close to us many proofs of the degree of civilization attained by their builders. The plains of Varinas, about north Latitude 7, exhibit some of these monuments, consisting of artificial conical hills, which are found between Mijagual, and the Cano de la Hacha. Over the greater part of the country, formerly comprised under the government of the Incas, tumuli are of frequent oc- the conquest of Chile, by the valorous resistance of the Purumanco Indians, after having successfully carried his arms as far as the river Mauli, in lat. S. 34 30'. Ulloa's Voyage, vol. ii. p. 266. Molina's History of Chili, vol. ii. p. 10. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 125 currence ; they are called Huacas, by the natives, and being sepulchres, have also been made the depositories, according to> the aboriginal custom, of much of the riches and treasure of the deceased. Some of them contain galleries, built of stone or brick, and communicating with each other.* The method of forming these mounds appears to have consisted in depositing the body of the dead, without interment, in the place where it was to rest, surrounding it with a tomb of stones and bricks, and then throwing earth upon it until the Guaca had attained the desired elevation.f Their usual height is about from fifty to sixty feet, their length from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty feet, and their breadth somewhat less, though there are some much larger ; their form is generally oblong. One, about a mile and a half south of Lima, which contained some human skulls, is nearly two hundred feet high.J Ulloa observes, that " the remarkable difference in the magnitude of these monuments seems to indicate that the Huacas were al ways suitable to the character, dignity, or riches of the person interred." A few of these structures require, for the purposes of this investigation, a specific description. The Paneqillo of Callo, a few leagues to the south-west of Quito, is a hill composed of volcanic stone, supposed by some to be an artificial structure or tumulus, while the more reasonable opinion is, that it is a natural elevation, to which the natives have given a more reg ular forrn.|| Its shape is conical, and its height about two hun- * Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. p. 102. t Molina, vol. ii. p. 81. Ulloa, vol. i. p. 492. } Morton's Crania Americana, p. 226. Ulloa, and the Natives. || Humboldt's Researches, vol. ii. pp. 3, 4. 126 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. dred and sixty feet, an altitude not much exceeding that of the mounds at Mansiche.* Near Santa, in Peru, is a mound in which were found vessels of baked clay, " of fine workmanship and ingenious construc tion," and a human body interred in a sitting posture.^ The Huacas at Lambayeque are about thirty feet high, one hundred and sixty feet square, and of a pyramidal shape, and in the in terior of one of them is a wall made of adobes of different sizes. J In Chile we sometimes find tumuli composed of stones. Upon opening one of these, on the mountains of Arauco, an urn of extraordinary size was discovered at the bottom. The most curious and interesting structure of this character, interesting from its similarity to those terraced pyramids of the United States and Mexico, which have been described, existed in that locality which appears to have been the centre of South Ame rican civilization. To the east of Lake Titicaca, in the province of Callao, and upon the elevated plain of Tiahuanaco, are the remains of the most ancient edifices of the southern continent. Here, at the time of the conquest of this territory by Mayta Capac, the fourth Inca, was the city of Tiahuanaco, remarkable for its great and magnificent edifices. The most striking of these, says Garcillasso de la Vega, was a hill or mound erected by the hand of man, and of almost incredible height. The In dians, remarks this author, who seem to have wished to imitate nature in this structure, had placed for its foundation immense * Ulloa says that its height is from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and eighty feet, vol. i. p. 500. f Morton's Crania, p. 225. | Ruschenberger's Three Years in the Pacific, p. 400. Molina's Hist. Chile, vol. i. p. 21. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 127 masses of stone cemented together, which were surmounted by prodigious terraces raised one above another ; but the design of this marvellous building is unknown.* It appears most probable, that the bodies of deceased chief tains, and other persons of consequence, were buried in the mounds or huacas, and that those of ordinary individuals were deposited in common graves. Many of these bodies appear to have undergone the process of embalming, as was the case, according to Garcillasso de la Vega, with the remains of the Incas ; others, on the contrary, have been buried without any artificial means used for their preservation, and yet, in conse quence of the antiseptic qualities of the soil and climate, they present, externally, the appearance of mummies regularly em balmed. At Callao, M. Poepig observes, " such is the extreme aridity of the soil, that, after the lapse of three centuries, we still find the mummies of the ancient Peruvians in a state of perfect preservation. They were interred in a sitting posture."^ Mr. Stevenson also remarks, that the bodies found in the huacas, owing to the nitrous qualities of the earth, are well preserved.! About a mile from the town of Arica is an extensive ceme tery, situated upon the side of a hill. The graves are indicated by hillocks of upturned sand, and human bones with the dry flesh still adhering, scattered over the surface. They may be discovered by the hollow sound, consequent upon stamping on the ground where they are. " The surface is covered over with sand, an inch or two deep ; which being removed discovers a stratum of salt, three or four inches in thickness, that spreads * Garcillasso de la Vega, vol. i. pp. 126, 128. f Travels cited in F. O. Rev. Am. Edit. vol. 3. p. 17. I Vol. i. p. 415. Frezier, pp. 172, 177. 128 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. all over the hill. Immediately beneath are found the bodies in graves or holes, not more than three feet in depth. The body was placed in a squatting posture, with the knees drawn up, and the hands applied to the sides of the head. The whole was enveloped in a coarse but close fabric, with stripes of red, which has withstood wonderfully the destroying effects of ages, for these interments were made before the conquest, though at what period is not known. A cord was passed about the neck on the outside of the covering, and in one case we found de posited upon the breast a small bag containing five little sticks, about two and a half inches long, tied in a bundle." " Several of the bodies which we exhumed were in a perfect state of preservation. We found the brain dwindled to a crumbling mass, about the size of a hen's egg, perhaps adipocere. The cavity of the chest was nearly empty, and the heart contained what seemed to be indurated blood, which cut with as much facility as rich cheese. The muscles were like hard smoked beef."* The same author describes the graves at Santa, Santa Bay, south latitude eight degrees fifty -two minutes, as resembling those of Arica, but some of them apparently constructed with more care, being chambers about six feet deep and four in length, walled up on the sides with adobes.f Some of the present natives set apart the middle of their houses, for the interment of the dead.J Mr. Stevenson says, that at Supe he was convinced, that the Indians buried their dead in their houses where they had resided, as he had dug up many of them ; and it is probable that many places, now supposed to * Ruschenberger, pp. 340-1. f Ibid. p. 374. I Smyth's Narrative, pp. 182,216. Stevenson, vol. i. p. 413. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 129 have been only cemeteries, were the immediate sites of towns. Further to the north, the graves of the higher ranks appear to be similar to those just described. On the edge of the conical summit in which the lake of Guativita is situated, Captain Cochrane saw two of the sepulchres of the caciques, hewn in the sandstone, and remarked that the burial-places of the chiefs had always been chosen on commanding summits overlooking the plains, and that they were generally interred singly; whereas the lower class were buried in large caverns formed for that purpose, some hundreds of feet below.* He thus describes one of these tombs opened by him : " The spot was indicated by a small hollow appearance in the ground. After removing about a foot of earth and turf, we came to an amazingly large stone, about twelve feet long, eight wide, and nine inches thick it was a kind of sandstone ; this we were obliged to break, and with great difficulty removed, when in two pieces. It had rested on * Cochrane's Travels, vol. ii. p. 253, etc. The cave of Ataruipe ; on the eastern bank of the Orinoco, has been the sepulchre of some extinct tribe. Six hundred skeletons were found in it, well preserved, and regularly arranged in baskets. The bodies had been doubled or bent together. The bones were entire, and some of them had been whitened in the sun, some dyed red with anoto, and others varnished, like mummies, with odoriferous resins. Earthen vases, half baked, were placed by the sides of the baskets, and also contained bones ; some of them were three feet high, and five and a half long. They were oval in shape, of a green ish gray color, the handles modelled in the form of crocodiles and serpents, and their bodies ornamented with meanders and grecques To the north of the Cataracts of the Orinoco are other caverns filled with human bones. Humboldtfs Pers. Nar. t vol. v. pp. 517, 627. 17 130 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. a shelf p : ece all round ; the grave was formed in sandstone. We at first came to earth, and then to finely variegated sand, rammed down so hard as to appear almost an integral part of the sandstone, but manifestly different, as it crumbled to fine dust when once broken out, whereas the natural strata adhere firmly together. After digging down for about eight feet, we came to earthenware of a rough description and rudely painted, some of which had been used for water, others for cooking utensils, from the evident marks of fire on them ; the whole contained nothing but sand. At about fourteen feet depth we met with some human bones the thigh and arm pieces but no skull or teeth ; and after continuing our labor to the depth of thirty feet, we reached the original native strata." There was yet another kind of tomb used by the ancient Indians, which is alluded to by Frezier. " There is much dif ference," he says, " between these voluntary tombs and those they erected for men of note. The latter are above the ground, built with unburnt bricks, and round like little pigeon-houses, five or six feet in diameter, and twelve or fourteen in height, arched like the top of an oven in which the dead were placed sitting, and then they were walled up."* Numerous sepulchres of this character, but composed of stone, have been observed between Andamarca and Tacua. They were of an oblong form and from ten to fifteen feet high ; and they appear, for some distance, in every direction as far as the eye can reach.f "On an immense plain," says Mr. Temple, "bounded on my left by the Cordilleras, I passed a row of ancient mud- built structures, which at a distance had the appearance of Martello * Frezier, pp. 177, 178. f Andrews' Travels in South America, vol. ii. p. 147. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 131 towers. They are said to have been the sepulchres of Indian chiefs before the conquest ; the walls of some of them were nearly perfect, which may convey an idea of the durability of the adobes a sun-dried compost of mud and strong grass with which they are constructed ; having stood for centuries, without any symptoms of decay from the injuries of time or weather. The only aperture in the walls is a very small doorway, made low, in order, it is recorded, that the abode might never be entered but in the posture of humility and veneration."* Upon opening the mounds and graves, they are found to contain a great variety of implements and other articles, of gold, copper, stone and earth, gold utensils, looking-glasses of stone, and human skeletons. Some of the earthenware vessels exhumed from them are exceedingly curious. One kind is composed of two hollow spheres, each about three inches in diameter connected by a small tube placed in the centre, and by a hollow arched handle above, having a hole on the upper side. " If water be poured into this hole," says Mr. Steven son, "until the jar is about half full, and the jar be then inclined, first to one side and then to the other, a whistling noise is produced. Sometimes a figure of a man stands on each jar, and the water is poured down an opening in its head, and by the same means the noise is occasioned. I saw one of these at the Carmelite nunnery at Quito, having two Indians upon it, carrying a corpse on their shoulders, laid on a hollow bier resembling a butcher's tray ; when the jar was inclined backwards and forwards, a plaintive cry was heard, resembling that made by the Indians at a funeral. The jars and other * Temple's Travels in Pern, vol. iL p. 43, 132 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. utensils were of good clay, and well baked; which, with the ingenious construction just alluded to, proves that the Indians were acquainted with the art of pottery."* Ulloa describes the drinking-vessels as being generally constructed from a fine black or red earth, usually of a round shape, with a handle in the middle, the mouth on one side, and on the other the head of an Indian, with the features naturally expressed. Besides these, there were many larger vessels.f The axes disinterred from the huacas differ little in shape from ours, and are composed, some of copperj and some of the gallinazo stone : spear-heads of the latter substance are also met with, and heads of the maize, carved in stone with much delicacy and beauty. From the tombs at Manta and Acatames have been obtained emeralds cut into various shapes, with ac- * Stevenson, vol. i. p. 413. Frezier, 274. f Ulloa, vol. i. pp. 495, 496. The art of pottery is still practised by the natives of Peru and Chile. " I have seen some jars from Melipilla and Penco, which, for shape and workmanship, might pass for Etruscan. They are some times sold for as high prices as fifty dollars, and are used for holding water. They are ornamented with streaks, and various patterns in white and red clay where the ground is black, and where it is red or brown, with black and white. Some of the red jars have these orna ments of a shining substance, that looks like gold dust, which is, I believe, clay having pyrites of iron ; and many have grotesque heads, with imitations of human arms for handles, and ornaments indented on them. But excepting in the forming of the heads and arms, I do not recollect any Chileno vase with raised decorations." " On the Peruvian vases procured from the tombs, there are many and various patterns in relief, but I have not seen any modern Peruvian pottery." Graham's Chile, p. 142. See also Ulloa, vol. i. p. 324. J Molina, vol. ii. p. 21. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 133 curate precision some being spherical, others cylindrical or conical, and most of them perforated diametrically or otherwise. Among the gold relics are nose-jewels, ear-pendants, col lars, bracelets and idols. The latter have a construction pecu liar to the Peruvian workmanship. They are of full length, of one piece, hollow within, extremely thin, and there are no vestiges of soldering. Dr. Meyen, who examined some of these articles in the museum at Lima, says, " The collection of Peruvian idols of gold and copper is very remarkable." " These figures are very curious, for they have not been cast in the mould, but formed with the hammer."* From one of the huacas of Chimu a relic, of a similar descrip tion, was exhumed. Ruschenberger describes it as " a fore-arm and hand of gold." " It was about six inches long, hollow, without any seam, and had three holes on one side, and a single one opposite, like those in the joint of a flageolet, and it was supposed to have been used as a musical instrument."! The mirrors alluded to as discovered in these cemeteries are of two kinds one composed of the Inca stone, a soft opaque mineral, and the other of the gallinazo stone (obsidian), which is hard, brittle and black. They are generally circular in their * Meyen's Voyage. f Ruschenberger, p. 382. As might be anticipated from the general use of some of the metals, particularly gold and silver, many of the mines in Peru pre sent undoubted signs of having been extensively worked in the times of the Incas. Ulloa, vol. i. pp. 27, 486; vol. ii. pp. 153, 164. An idea of the vast amount of treasure contained in some of the mounds, may be obtained from the fact, that in the year 1576, a Spaniard opened a huaca, in which he found so large a quantity of gold, that 134 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. shape, from three inches to a foot and a half in diameter, highly polished, and some are plane, some concave, and others convex.* In the mounds of Chile, besides earthenware, vases of marble have been found, some of them cut and polished with the greatest perfection ; and also axes of basalt, and occasionally edged tools of hardened copper.f There are also found in the huacas and graves, ostrich feathers from the plains of Buenos Ayres ; spades, lances, clubs and other implements of palm wood; marine shells ; dresses of woollen and cotton cloths; small images appareled in garments similar to those now worn by the Indians ; small pieces of gold in the mouths of the dead ; slips of silver ; rings and small cups of gold ; quantities of maize ; seeds of the gourd ; beds or strata of banana leaves; the bean and quinua deposited in vases; and mills used to grind the maize.J These mills consist of a large stone somewhat hollowed in the middle, and a handle, curved on one side, which was used by pressing the ends alternately upon the large stone. Similar articles are found in the mines worked by the ancient Indians, where they were probably em- the royal fifth paid into the treasury of Traxillo, amounted to 9362 oz. the value of the whole being upwards of one hundred and fifty thou sand pounds sterling. Stevenson, vol. ii. p. 121. It is stated in the " Diario de Lima" for 1791, that from the year 1550 to 1590, the king's fifth amounted to nearly one hundredthous and Castellanos of gold, worth about two hundred thousand dollars. Ruschenberger's Three Years in the Pacific, p. 400. * Ulloa, vol. i. p. 495. f Molina, vol. i. p. 21. | Stevenson, vol. i. pp. 414, 415, 166. 332, 366, 46. The mills used in Chile for grinding maize resemble these. Frezier^s Voyage, p. 67. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 135 ployed in pulverizing the ores.* Chica, an intoxicating beve rage prepared from the maize, is also found in the huacas, preserved in jars. The cotton cloths are often of a very fine texture, ornamented with curious figures interwoven, and dyed with indigo and other colors.f Agriculture and Aqueducts. The Peruvians and some of the neighboring nations carried the cultivation of the soil to a higher stage of perfection, than any of the American nations. They were acquainted with the use of manures, and surrounded their fields with fences, or walls of clay, sometimes faced with stone, the vestiges of which are still visible. J We still perceive the indications of an agricultural population, in the remains of the granaries, in which the maize was collected and stored. These repositories are somewhat similar to a cistern, and are usually walled around, either with roughly hewn stones or with adobes. Their depth beneath the surface of the earth is com monly about four feet, and the grain still found in them is gen erally entire and sound when taken out. In consequence of the narrow extent of land intervening between the mountains and the sea, the rivers in this region are usually of small size, and the soil, being arid and sandy, needs the aid of artificial irrigation. Near Pisco, in a barren country, are ancient pits or excavations, made in search of humidity, wherein they planted the maize.|| To such an extent did they carry their ingenious efforts, that the sides of the steepest moun- * Stevenson, vol. i. p. 369. f Ibid. vol. i. p. 372. Ibid. vol. i. pp. 387, 415 ; vol. ii. p. 7. J Molina, vol. ii. pp. 14, 19. Stevenson, vol. ii. pp. 138, 174 ; vol. i. pp. 166, 374. Garcillasso de la Vega, vol. ii. p. 177. || Stevenson, vol. i. p. 359; vol. ii. p. 6. 136 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. tains were converted into productive fields, by being encircled with terraces, supported by stone walls, and watered by canals.* " Upon the sides of some of the mountains," observes Mr. Tem ple, " were the remains of walls built in regular stages round them, from their base to their summits, forming terraces on which, or between which, the Indians, in days of yore, cultivated their crops."f Frezier says the Indians were very industrious in conveying the waters of the rivers through their fields and to their dwellings, and that there were still to be seen in many places, aqueducts formed of earth and stone, and carried along the sides of hills with great labor and ingenuity.J Humboldt saw the remains of walls in the maritime part of Peru, along which water had been conducted for a space of from three to four miles, from the foot of the Cordilleras to the coast. " I have had various opportunities, 3 ' says a more recent traveller, " of closely examining one of these canals, which is formed at the source of the river Sana, on the right bank, and extends along a distance of fifteen leagues, without reckoning sinuosities, and which consequently supplied a vast population; particularly one city, whose ruins still remain in the vicinity of a farm now called Cojal."|| These aqueducts were often of great magni tude, executed with much skill, patience and ingenuity, and were boldly carried along the most precipitous mountains, fre quently to the distance of fifteen or twenty leagues.1T Many of * Mercurio Peruano, vol. v. p. 257. Vega, vol. i. p. 219. f Temple's Travels in Peru, vol. ii. p. 39. | Frezier, p. 262. Humboldt's Political Essay, vol. ii. p. 31. j| Vide Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. xix. p. 254. 1{ Ulloa, vol. ii. p. 28. Robertson's Hist. Am., p. 238. Vega, vol. i. p. 219. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 137 them consisted of two conduits, a short distance apart; the larger of these was for general use ; the other and smaller, to supply the inhabitants and water the fields, while the first was cleansing :* a circumstance in which they bear a striking resem- r blance to those of Mexico. They also conveyed water to the most distant places by subterranean conduits : Garcillasso de scribes five fountains that existed in the Temple of the Sun at Cuzco, and which were used for sacred purposes, one of which he saw flowing, the others having become dry. It is probably one of these fountains which now supplies the Hospital de Na- turales ; its pipes are buried under the earth and cannot be traced, and, as in the time of the Peruvian historian, its source is unknown-! At Lanasca there is also a fountain, supplied through subterranean conduits, the source of which has never been traced. J Many of these great works became useless after the conquest, from their very magnificence, for their pipes, being made of gold, excited the cupidity of the avaricious Spaniards ; and others were destroyed from mere wantonness. By their ruin, however, an idea may be gathered, of the extent and character of the natural obstacles against which the natives had struggled in their attempts to till the soil ; for some districts, which once were rich, fertile and productive, are now sandy and arid wastes, supporting but a scanty population. This sketch of the public works constructed for the encour agement of agriculture may be concluded by offering two instances, one in Peru and the other in Chile, which, in design and execution, are worthy of modern art. Near Caxamarca is a small lake hemmed in by mountains, which is connected * For. Q,. Rev., vol. xix. p. 254. f Garcillasso, vol. i. p. 173. \ Mercurio Peruano, vol. v. p. 257. Ibid. 18 138 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. with a river running on the opposite side of the ridge, by an excavation or tunnel cut through the mountain; so that the lake, when rising above its proper level, is prevented from flood ing the adjacent lands.* The Salta de Agua, in the vicinity of Santiago, is formed by an artificial aqueduct, cut for the purpose of drawing off a portion of the waters of the river Mapocho, to irrigate the land of the lower plain. For the accomplishment of this object, " they cut channels through the granite rock from the Mapocho to the edge of the precipice, and made use of the natural fall of the ground, to throw a considerable stream from the river into the vale below. This is divided into numerous channels, as is required, and the land so watered is some of the most productive in the neighborhood of the city."f Roads. Few of the monuments of the American nations have been viewed with more curiosity and interest, than those great public roads, which, ages ago, when these signs of civilization were yet wanting in the greater part of Europe, were constructed with such skill and science, such perseverance and boldness, as to rank them with the proudest remains, of that character, on the soil of the old world. These works were of great extent, enormous masses of stone were usually quarried and employed in their formation,! and they were prosecuted with such indefatigable patience and labor, as to triumph over the most formidable natural obstacles. In South America they were not, however, confined to Peru, but their vestiges are still to be discovered, in remote regions, whither the power of the Incas never extended. They form one of the characteristic * Stevenson, vol. ii. p. 174. f Graham's Chile, pp. 212, 213, 214. Molina, vol. ii. p. 14. J Humboldt's Res., vol. i. p. 260. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 139 signs of all American civilization, and are far from owing their origin to the enterprise and ingenuity of the Peruvian sovereigns alone, monarchs who were nevertheless ready to adopt,, imi tate, and reproduce upon an enlarged scale, the inventions they found existing, when they established their extensive empire. The rank the Peruvian roads occupy, as finished structures, when compared with the ancient roads of Europe, is clearly shown by the testimony of one who had examined both. " We were surprised," says Humboldt, " to find at this place ( As- suay), and at heights which greatly surpass the top of the Peak of TenerhTe, the magnificent remains of a road constructed by the Incas of Peru. This causeway, lined with freestone, may be compared to the finest Roman roads I have seen, in Italy, France or Spain. It is perfectly straight, and keeps the same direction for six or eight thousand metres. We observed the continuation of this road near Caxamarca, one hundred and twenty leagues to the south of Assuay, and it is believed in the country that it led as far as the city of Cuzco."* This was one of the celebrated roads, said to have been built by the Incas from Cuzco to Quito, a distance of five hundred leagues, and whereon, we are told, news could be communicated by the chasqui, or courier, from one of those cities to the other, in the space of six days.f For the accommodation of these couriers, houses were erected at short distances; and as soon as a message or intelligence was received, it was communicated from the one * Humboldt's Res., vol. i. p. 241. Stevenson, vol. ii. p. 65. t Vega, vol. i. p. 291. Adair gives an instance of a Chickasaw Indian, who ran three hundred miles, in a day and a half and two nights. Hist. Indians, p. 396. 140 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. who had just arrived to another, who hastened on rapidly to the next post. One of these great roads passed through the plains near the sea, and the other over the mountains in the interior. Au- gustin de Carate says, that for the construction of the road over the mountains, they were compelled to cut away rocks, and to fill up chasms, often from ninety to one hundred and twenty feet deep, and that when it was first made, it was so plain and level, that a carriage might easily pass over it ; and of the other, which pursued a less difficult route, that it was forty feet wide, and as it was carried through valleys, in order to avoid the trouble of rising and descending, it was constructed upon a high embankment of earth.* Pedro de Cieqa de Leon, one of the conquerors, speaks also of the former, as a magnificent and extraordinary work, both with respect to the buildings and magazines which were constructed along its borders, and to the labor which must have been employed in its erection ;f and other authors describe it in still more glowing terms. It has been intimated, that the remains of these ancient roads in South America, are not confined to Peru. The most northerly ruins of this kind, yet discovered, are to be seen upon the plains of Varinas about N. Lat. 7. A fine road is to be perceived, between Varinas and Canagua ; it is a causeway of earth fifteen feet high, and about fifteen miles in length, and * The causeway built by Shah Abbas the Great, from Keskar to Astrabad, extended three hundred English miles, was twenty yards broad, and was raised in the middle, with ditches on each side. Hanwatfs Travels. t Vega, vol. i. pp. 492, 493. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 141 crosses a level, subject to inundation.* Captain Cochrane ob served the remains of an ancient road in Colombia,! near the lake of Guativita ; and at the extreme of civilization on the south, we also meet with the vestiges of another. The Jesuit Imonsff, in a letter written A. D. 1716, and cited by Don Luis de La Cruz in the account of his expedition across the Pampas, speaks of a road on the south-eastern frontier of Chile " which passes to the other side of the Cordilleras, so much esteemed by the Indians for its excellence, and constructed by the ancient inhabitants."! Baths and religious ablutions. At Cuzco are the remains of baths; and near Diezmo we find similar evidences of the hab its of ablution of the ancient sovereigns. This bath is formed from a spring of good water, surrounded by a few stones, put together in the form of a chair, and at the bottom there is a hole, shaped something like a foot. Caxamarca was once distinguished for its royal baths, which also exist to this day. Two stone buildings having con venient rooms, each contain in their interior, an extensive bath ing place; one of these baths is five yards square, and two deep. The sides and bottom are formed of roughly hewn stone, and there are steps leading down to the bath from doors, which open into the adjoining apartments.|| Similar baths are found near the village of Banos, in Huamalies.H * Humboldt's Personal Narrative. Stevenson's Twenty Years in S. Am., vol. ii. p. 99. f Cochrane's Travels, vol. ii. p. 206. \ El Mercurio Chileno, No. vii. p. 321. Smyth's Narrative, p. 33. II Stevenson's Twenty Years in S. Am. 3 vol. ii. p. 138. T[ Ibid. vol. ii. p. 100. Mercurio Peruano, vol. v. p. 259. 142 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. The lake of Titicaca was the most sacred spot in all Peru, and is mentioned in some of the most ancient religious tradi tions. It was customary for the natives of all the provinces subdued by the Incas, to make annual pilgrimages to the Tem ple of the Sun, which was built upon one of the islands of the lake, and to bring with them offerings of gold and silver and precious stones,* and there is reason to believe, to bathe in the holy waters. The island where, according to tradition, Manco Capac first received his divine commission, was formerly a mountain, and was afterwards levelled by the Incas. " Here the first Inca Appeared, and here also was a magnificent temple of the sun, containing an immense collection of riches, which, to save from the rapacity of the Spaniards, the Indians are re ported to have thrown into the lake."f The Lake of Guativita, in Colombia, situated in a wild and solitary spot on the ridge of the mountains of Zipaquira, is also supposed to have been held in great veneration by the ancient inhabitants, who repaired thither to perform their religious ab lutions ; for which purpose there was a staircase descending to the water, the remains of which are still existing. Beneath its waters, as the tradition runs, are buried immense treasures, which the natives are said to have thrown into the lake, on the arrival of the Spaniards ; and a golden image has been recently recovered from it, which is thought to resemble the objects of Hindoo worship.J * Vega, vol. i. p. 176. f Ulloa, vol. ii. p. 166, etc. I Humboldt's Pers. Nar., vol. v. p. 814. Mod. Trav. Colom bia, p. 333. The graves which have been opened in the vicinity of the lake, contain little else but earthenware, for which reason it has been conjectured that on the decease of an Indian, his riches were AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 143 Ruins of cities, edifices and fortresses- The most decided uniformity in style and method of construction, is observable in all the buildings and monuments of the civilized nations of South America ; and the evidences are clear, that all the more finished structures were formed upon the same plan, and most of them copied after the same original model. The natives of Tiahu- anaco, remarks Garcillasso de la Vega,* an author by no means inclined to disparage the subjects of his eulogy, the Incas, say that all its buildings were constructed before the time of the Incas, who built the fortress of Cuzco in imitation of them. This report receives confirmation from the circumstance, that Tiahuanaco was adjacent to the sacred lake of Titicaca, where Manco Capac and Mama Oello, were said to have been placed by the Sun, their parent. When they founded Cuzco, the chief city of their new empire, it is natural to suppose, that its edifices were erected after the fashion of those of Tiahuanaco, and we are assured that the buildings of Cuzco became the models of those subsequently constructed by the Incas, through out their dominions. Of the structures at Tiahuanaco only vague descriptions exist, but sufficient has been communicated to indicate their grandeur, and massiveness. Garcillasso de la Vega speaks of a long wall, " of which the stones were so large that it was impossible to comprehend how men had sufficient power to cast into the lake, as a tribute of respect to its sanctity, or in honor of the deity worshipped there. The Spaniards have endeavored, but unsuccessfully, to drain the lake ; from the soil on its banks, however, they have procured many valuable articles, sufficient to pay the government a quinta of one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. * Vega, vol. i. p. 127. 144 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. transport them; for it is certain that there exist nowhere near this place, quarries nor rocks whence such large masses could have been taken : that there were also extraordinary buildings, some of which were remarkable for their great doorways or gates, cut out of an entire and single stone, and placed upon stones of an incredible size, some of which were thirty feet long, fifteen thick, and six high." The same author observes that these edifices appeared to have been left unfinished,* but there seems more reason to attribute their imperfect state to the ef fects of time and decay. Pedro de Cieqa, whom Garcillasso de la Vega seems to have followed, in his account of Tiahuanaco, confirms this statement. " Tiaguanico is not a very large town, but it is deserving of no tice, on account of the great edifices which are still to be seen in it : near the principal of these, is an artificial hill raised on a groundwork of stone. Beyond this hill, are two stone idols resembling the human figure, and apparently formed by skilful artificers. They are of somewhat gigantic size, and appear clothed in long vestments differing from those now worn by the natives of these provinces, and their heads are also ornamented. Near these statues is an edifice, which on account of its anti quity, and the absence of letters, leaves us in ignorance of the people who constructed it ; and such indeed has been the lapse of time since its erection, that little remains but a well- built wall, which must have been there for ages, for the stones are very much worn and crumbled. In this place also there are stones so large and so overgrown, that our wonder is excited to comprehend how the power of man could have placed them * Vega, vol. i. p. 127. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 145 where we see them.* Many of these stones are variously wrought, and some having the form of men must have been their idols. Near the wall are many caves and excavations under the earth ; but in another place more to the west, are other and greater monuments, consisting of large gateways and their hinges, platforms, and porches, each of a single stone." " What most surprised me, while engaged in examining and recording these things, was that the above enormous gateways were formed on other great masses of stone, some of which were thirty feet long, fifteen feet wide, and six feet thick. Nor can I conceive with what tools or instruments, those stones were hewn out, for it is obvious that before they were wrought and brought to perfection, they must have been vastly larger than we now see them. Before I proceed to a further account of Tiaguanico I must remark that this monument is the most an cient in Peru, for it is supposed that some of these structures were built long before the dominion of the Incas, and I have heard the Indians affirm, that these sovereigns constructed their great buildings in Cuzco, after the plan of the walls of Tiagua nico, and they add that the first Incas were accustomed to hold their court in this place." Diego d'Alcohaca, also cited by * In some of the quarries, it is said, there remain stones much larger, and some of them more or less finished, according to the state they were in, on the news of the Spanish invasion. Near Cuzco is a quarry of the Incas', where may be seen more than two thousand blocks of stone, some of great size and left in an unfinished state : and near Cascas, in Caxamarca, is a great block, thirteen yards in length, and about one in thickness, besides another in a rough condi- dition, ready to be worked, and similar in its dimensions to some of those at Tiahuanaco. Mer curio Peruano, vol. v. p. 261, 19 146 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. Vega, adds that the natives believed, that these buildings were dedicated to the Creator of the Universe.* Cuzco. The little that has been preserved of the ancient edifices at Cuzco, confirms the description of the style and size of the original buildings at Tiahuanaco, from which they are said to have been copied. Among these, we find the re mains of a fortress upon a hill near the city, and also the ruins of the Temple of the Sun. Their walls, parts of which are still in perfect preservation, are built with stones of great magni tude ; and though of a polyangular shape, of different dimen sions, and laid without cement, they are fitted together with extreme nicety and precision. The stones seldom have less than from six to nine angles, and they are so closely and firmly joined, that the interstices almost escape detection.! Ulloa says, the design appears to have been to enclose the whole mountain with a prodigious wall, and that the interstices of the courses of stone were filled with smaller stones.J From the palaces of the Incas, and especially from the Temple of the Sun, there were subterranean passages, which led to the for tress, through which the kings and priests could flee with their treasures and idols, in case of an invasion. These were cut into the solid rock, and with such skill and ingenuity, and so * Pedro de Cie9a Chronica del Peru, cap. 105, cited in Morton's Crania, p. 100 ; also Acosta's Hist, etc., 1. 6, c. 14. f The same peculiarity in the arrangement and joining of the stones, has been observed in the Peruvian dwellings. Mercurio Pe- ruano, vol. v. p. 263. | Mercurio Peruano, vol. v. p. 259. Ulloa, vol. ii. p. 132, etc. Mod. Trav. Peru, vol. ii. p. 291. The city of Cuzco was said to have been founded about the year 1043. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 147 admirably contrived, that there were particular places, in which one man could defend the passage against a hundred. The method adopted for this purpose, consisted in excavating the rock, in a zig-zag manner, with sharp angles or projections, at which points the passage was contracted, so as to leave space but for one person to pass at a time. These labyrinths were still observable, at the close of the last century, and it is said, the whole city was found to be undermined with them :* they appear to have been used also at other places, and are considered, as one of the peculiarities usually attending most of the Peruvian fortresses. Cannar. In descending from the Paramo of Assuay towards the south, is the Inga-pilca, or the fortress of Cannar, crowning the summit of a hill. " This fortress," says Humboldt, " if we can so call a hill terminated by a platform, is much less remarkable for its height than its perfect preservation."! Placed upon two terraces, a wall built of large blocks of free stone rises to the height of eighteen or twenty feet, supporting and enclosing a platform of earth. This platform forms a regu lar oval, lying in the direction of the cardinal points, and its great axis is nearly one hundred and twenty-seven feet in length. " The interior of this oval is a flat piece of ground covered with rich vegetation, which increases the picturesque effect of the landscape. In the centre of the enclosure, is a house containing only two rooms, which are near seven metres in height. This house and the enclosure form part of a system * Mercurio Peruano, vol. v. p. 262. t Humboldt's Researches, vol. ii. p. 195. Ibid. vol. i. pp. 242, 247, etc., 258. Ulloa says this fortress is the "most entire, the largest and best built, in all the kingdom." Ulloa, vol. i. p. 501. 148 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. of walls and fortifications," " which are more than one hundred and fifty metres in length. The cut of the stones, the disposi tion of the doors and niches, the perfect analogy between this edifice and those of Cuzco, leave no doubt respecting the origin of this military monument, which served as a lodging to the Incas, when those princes journeyed occasionally from Peru to the kingdom of Quito." The stones used in this building are not of great size, but they are beautifully cut into parallelopipe- dons, with perfect precision, the outer surface, however, being slightly convex, and cut slantingly towards the edge, so that the joints form small flutings. The door-posts are inclined ; in the interior are niches hollowed into the walls, and between them are cylindrical stones, with polished surfaces projecting from the wall. The greater part of the wall is apparently constructed without cement, but in some places may be observed a mortar, composed of a mixture of small stones and argillaceous marl.* Near Cannar are the rocks of Inti-Guaicu, and the Ynga- chungana.f The first is an image of the sun, upon a mass of sandstone, partly natural and partly sculptured, consisting of several concentric circular lines enclosing a space, in which eyes and a mouth have been engraven. " The foot of the rock is cut into steps, which lead to a seat hollowed out in the same stone, and so placed, that from the bottom of the hollow, the image of the sun may be seen." To the north of the ruins, upon the side of a hill, were the gardens attached to this fortress, and * According to Ulloa, a species of mortar of uncommon hardness, called Sangagua, was used by the ancient Indians, in their buildings. Ulloa, vol. i. p. 268. f Humboldt's Researches, vol. i. pp. 247, 253. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 149 in them is the Ynga-chungana, or The Sport of the Inca, being a stone seat or sofa decorated with sculpture in arabesque, and placed so as to command a most delightful prospect. Callo. At Callo, about ten leagues to the south of Quito, is a building called