saat

nh

ate ‘thas het bs

‘ PIR anh Mate

cay + Hu chi oT faa

she BUCS i) hy Atay

iy ay a

iN ht

neh HAT aa tits

94 seeinat Aa

cae) yas Mthepaavcbenehe achebes

uh Weaning

Han oi ath

a ak i ay

i nih tt i

ty . iW

Hi ty se

% 1yidy von Qeihl Be

oS

eat

inne RNS Cah wet

siti on Sia i

i t heel he

ny

Noah cia tith ah wid aiken hath th

ith sy) TN ab

ie Ais

ih

Ni Ah

Neat

i iH q

Hinde

ENN ee i is

Na My

ee es Mh & ih tienda Suit si at pont

He AVG ena Say “ee

Mii vaavc iat Wath ach

ban iin Ate ANN anya MNO RIALTO ieeat

ans nha)

micah AT A ht Si maha Mis

AN

; iH i

iy

na hit yi ru

sit Hyats {igh

Hite

lath Ma

‘iy ait Vetta ran aN Hissar est nti Reese y be

tei pHMnecy eve bet

Ni

ARaeduede ns Nearest

wh

ha hy tet

Dany yo

PB at AAA parte 4 ‘\ SHRM BuR Hy

aC _ Patiul

ay i

ihe th Ku aN

NG

i ianiaede ty e¥) ae

LL

yi) CH ‘

PNAS weit oH aT ASAD SH RARE Han aban pba shah NSMMONOTSESE AGS

a eT nee us

Mish BvtsWa banat ves

i it EN

-

a mt

i RAHM Pete

bona aa

hehe MIM Mint

Nate Wu in te ayes ‘ a \

With ae Ti

Veena

way Ne Pe lbs

eas Ba

ees

. ib

eb Ae U

Vontetnss Nese (vhs Vanya RL Se Fe aauicbat tne Mee tA Me pe Winn bs hutaba AM etstedal veh iy oN

shine i Hs Ba Kosta Wa

iiwan) Beds

hand neu

fal

hs aie hy roby Heiden hey

CHhaente i a ipete d Mey ioe

be sath Hh hohe

in \

int He ba _ 1 Me tah Ms bik

Tiesto

Sete

rua Heidi horse NY +t ‘aie

Mie

v Wilden inedea ints teehee et ue ‘ i an

nA

jae ad ne be

He ne

Haan

My a

ais

Ah) ay

aie fi

ey Hie

ie Oe AGHA Wi ih

i }

Na

mais nied Nh

rishentede Wye

wae head woth

Batty

) Mi

Sahay hy Nath ry

wh

sdb bret Wovaybebioan PAU HINA a

ibe M inet bhapaaits 0

Maho bade

hy PAY

Aedathete adn

yeh iheatat phate abi an "

» thas Rit

What sth }

dutith My Meet

fais

i Ht

mah a

yea JURY

Hi balahel

in Mh

‘

5

ib}

hh th y ih

Uy

My y

Y + a sith ahby yy We Hie { Part dah Seeds be taeb

sight} Act Haired

Rudheath ey ee

va anal at eH

nha pea

Boys rae lin hen

ty Pah iit ean

pit

WHIT Vee Fee oth VG" ‘i ie

foe ay Ua Teh} aN

tT ; Wye Aapeayi in

ant Lor tuatatal

a Mithun ut eat

ede dyh Wye

M et

{ArH Math

Peers preene

iin en is

TWD eerie nha Se nab ty da aan Wiha!

ats

wanins AR iY

ihe Wstaldeitn Wsdstysede vay

eile

Hahei wir i HHH } My Ata oboe wR

Haru Mets tabby ae taht

ee he pon Wie

ol WHO aeiy athe HW AL ML bees eranya/ in

ELigat May iyiwli pdb) eds br he u curs haba egy

wari a btae fcsraveuietag ably Wiehe

seit Vis eee obeys Pecah Lg We bang he] 2 TEM

Vay sn Hiya

wea 4 NCEA BERN une Baty pip veay dete de raiee

aot wel

“waive

fer ady wetiae Ay

H ‘eh ijn i Goat ARS A aA ert HO eat dike We yaH"

taylan

fadsae sisal aint

He CHONG Miah tity

Saree Me

Dane By i

‘ } AA SHON oth ay

1h ett

wey Iu nay i) A jena A

iin

AS Aa

M

car ntehy thee When pant f latent Spare fan ay ads ¥o Win Wea OA Peake aectecrpypyan tts baty

bee

MWe vena tele WHat sky Kate suit ih

iy i ioe fit iii

Nua bt

Cie tte vesicle

Deki ve dnt arated Herat ad URLIE he

Weirenie Fal Mid)

Watne Hana aide Ha ih Myke mii

ahs pe\touoe kggabqie | ay ane iyi

inital vent Wy aru ewan yhinaibe ivan

iF Si ad We RLM 1s tps haste bee

bein de Wal ty yg Seat Fh om ui 1

oii ey

aye MPRn vial migeeke

yu Lia ean paee wie i

in Mae hurr ase AW es dy

i

Joely wud at

wnat jniat indoor arb Bed

mutt iat ie

nore aera

eh

AHH La HH

Have ianan van 44s 9 Wy Ce VERE

iro

Agha

GMAT hes

lesbo Oa Sebati be ANE pa

ny Naveen he yy bea Oe be aie

ae it

Onn

ORAL Hh mine

el

seni)

Wives

MR itsehun dear

An See inl

aie rit an

ae

if i Ani hth any iAhaaeatatsbeag

Bt NeheaeattaneDungses

ae pak che ae sath

ah ous iy eeeeebiitd

eae RH SS

MLMPn Mee) yn Penta ie

iy

Ht

ft Ku

UA

aannhiut

aan ae nk 1 Ny)

IRN

ee

Nees

ia oh shit cui Nia Weel} Wye te

ao

ith

Hh

PAE ah mh Gna

\; ih a i we

wi eka Naan vari AYE NN eR

ee ALOR ME aE

AN GR iat GHD i Raa ah \ Mit aed g oun ie bedy ye Iie KI Pe

ih

pe

i 4 tf

Me ayn. 8 Assisted en cris Ft ist \ Hi a Waitin

Buin Poni al yey a Peat

wiih ih sa Hin

He ni eh Meta hy Mh stn aan p at y NM Ny hs i) ct rH Piri

ih ih aban e ian ai MUM ‘von pigininnegnisba debian i ne bans ipa suiba nae ena AY t cn bit

Deas Ha nen Ser a :

Beinn Reveh tune brepay dee pante ty

h. Was

‘Miva bateigay hs Abu Naty hu eh yah i a rain aebehe ange a BovREAD

y, eel tpt nit na

ii IN UN

priiparantane ! yesnash) SatAGSEIC ASA nt Dybetsor risa ia ety

rate aaa Tape ea hei yasial

ayn tsda hana Me Aa

" se be hy uta

i! aay

i

Ho

' rh ys ny a

site o ian Mi Nock he ig Be oh Oe

hirata

a9 be

tie wh WUE Va hanade

rer font Weneat ae

fat Nit Y

Hribse ah cis inh

hi she (as BL WEAN RAD Mit IRSA ene at HAM tii Mihai Hh Raa eke

hey bn

n one ea Qube den Av hein seat ane AH ‘ht ibe ih tage

Ky can ia a ARI

MME

ebb Wein iN y Hh

hy if nh Patt

Hai nh head (My * HAH sere Ste hes Washoe mea im on Pl Gd ie ba ihg Quite dade IY aaa bile’ DY iy ey rir anni sel itine

H vi ht

sds deh iy

ete a fhe iY

Wie con ut si ie Hath Vaio

a Hela bela

Oar it

eh ae bouhb

Aypevebey Uisin tea ou

yeaa te eho

i nihvaegebqaitt

yal BH Nentt mast

rad ete et et anit HNN voit

an Lie NN ths it

it hse inbhablcighybahnoe

nie in

init

ae eet tinh raatith Ache isonet ie

ft te Oe

mit Kit hy i {it Wi he

nen

Vora uel i" (3

ser

fn a eae

i

Male a ui ae et sit

aye ui be in ae mt rt stout eile hen itera Deis ine dea hs On

sian tare i Ral

ean jap pUUR Oy Mash i 34 rain) nyt either ihe aaah ih

ity min ete Hhaestih Yet ti Mitiadeauaedeastodaieta Aas Wha sutarnes oh a Mt

tis oka Y i i va See a tt

i tak GaN OM iy

stnesuag tart nae) slett v

eiieay iy {

|

ive: i oh

ie es

SERA ay 4 oy tenia briagn ret

Nh i Feo \ ey i} HE StH ANNT ¥ ie at Hi ante " rea itifets tek ale ealdtae

ahibeteneey se oH ne

Veins Ayers a aed UAE

1940

jhe

ne 4 ahaa

\ ety

hy Ha ine

t Hi

Deane Mt Tle te thet yet tb ot Meni dante ehh

fh Loh h wwe Oya Ht thet

Wa Hh Mag

Penta Aahban at w4At baerea]

yiknoateraa Rashi

et) ratty

orien i satus Gag RunsAn ett ne

ut aS teyire

veh

te

ibaa th

a et inay

geal

Hone cereale ase

sat tM

‘\ ita ayn

Atti i rast nt

inte nt

not rit

i ties ntte ale use nittee

HN wah. CNHI hy ahaha en bedava

RE Wott MC TN) ith PH ‘ithe bed wiqiaadt Mey Wisse ted ohe Whaat geli od Aides SENG

y it Wariled nine ROneatil Weaeapa an ya b1 ak be tc a Veasdy ibd peas kn URS ry ‘9 H LURE ah ep AN ubarpeete te is shit i ¥

we it vada bite hat Civie) 144 ib

HAA Hine iat etektat isang cet de yy mony ae

HU alt Lites eanleaw ater be si byoreaie nae ial eye atinbwt at Fhabetehror ott Tn

Fie enwsle ale vevesy be

HH whi sa ia ae me bette

Hinvwere fy eaves

Tyiehetnt fH SOOT iy

bt i

Haney Nery Ces Nuh Wty an ee

Favs si nia ihe

sna

ae

saa ai

at niyo tli

bad ha itty

Se

1 Het

bit cul

sine atte

nt oe an

a — sa fi Hf

Ba it ao \

DEKE

ltt Mt

i —

Aine War a

shunts Seah So t *

» tte

i ae

rina ss he78 9a iy

ak wie uit

oe He care

bas iy We settee Me Pa ‘

ft — es ie iia sut

Mfrs wit i by nae Bit ba aati — (ba a eae

etree ist me in

set ehete y

nots Hou Manat ts se inn VEAL

is Arodacha ehh ete gy Be Lelie ia se yet = Aaah bab eal iui ah wi agaga he maa beSs maeavennert s ey ak vi PaueerCeL ha Hi i arta meter he hat ee

EM pear teetch —. Charen

ioe tes ni inhi inn aa hai en WB ele ihaharg cb be han eneNA beta ig ae nha te fara ced a

" a nave) H oS yen

Hats Bia

Reh ce ante he a

i an Ki

ina che

stro ma i a Wi

aa ba Srna

mies mia nan

“te cet

Suit At Quin ni Hyun they

hen M aa

ri

MiMainceenede ia

on Saati sheen bade ada Beebe bs

apathy AUR UA Bevo be tb beg BE mearicoastesthepniaid eae Haenabe

ete uh vteirirtet doy bo De OGM Ne

etl

Avene 80

Net Hebd Peigaticittaths

\ via si

“yee 84 So Ne a he eetahet techy snk ets sete at

44 ey hn iat ‘ Srosdehsnsbayeete Gaur scalaaitie iehieee hte atte hana ne ie pehapotene waaay

sattanapens i thi saemca iste int aN ab ai HORS rie eeneh aT ssnenvonhyiy Cana

SNe

aye ba hath

Ua ie easteattateon

. ns taby aad race vba Chote

a he seh

it ot

Trlatapnue ot He sae

Net ti

ele

{hp

Can a aide ba the hy By chy uid G Se wnat Arte ahs as bebatc ties feat

Sudha heheh Lass than Oi aia ncnds asian ait hs av dado nts 144 Da in iNet cu yy aires cant 19 Pain Hata Aa beta beea ahaa Wa diiiens thea bd Sainte mina budey nda M9 be aie

pertet Warned needa0

Das ibabaihgv she be

Ur isa bet

linet doaaveaciebeishai HORNER es ti hp M ive ba fe Sada be

Ua eet smn iia

sh M4

yon 0a eat

ba 3 Peds bat be ini

neha bao se Wing tabs be aint ys :

ater sineet Gent

hrantier

os sity) bu

enue {inegiges ee

Pity ‘, iad ire me 4 ha te eg 0 891 Ny aaeiets sie taba be het eee h beled ” 8

pitta

tei bry

pat

iy Fat

Hannay iba deb i etic

ie ears abe ba

semana frye

PRPs oxi te dheinichaitih

say bets anjsainbe baetele Ban ite te

yoni Debby Ht Tet ba gedaaihy Oo tf

tata ae Pabeb aba te nhs

ERE Re so i

aka mt beset int ta laba beat bute ba ae re og

\ rh

Tithe Se wera te

i poral x anvieienes het aig

siti} Mattia mheo beara Te i tee Ht 1. 4 ba eM he ut i Aaa ely

re eam anieae ene ue ligbanal | fins nd sah

it bite

va 4 ath 88 Oh ian ae at

iia Hitt et \ at Ht ne

acats ened

a lalebafy it be Mb

Hin Mf Menalie

AIR netrt

teh Mh agate nt rf 4 i‘ Cl

i

Att een } ‘

tis

et cate +

ceed i Ai haletalas tt 4 shatite a wart i"

pn

bat i Tent ceri ay ao ag de ata)

Nit

coy Hi

titer dyad ate a

sage yaar Peay We Bt Aang}

Hava hadi tataa

rivat eying a it tate oh aeenoeausanat

Putiitnes} Wie Siusetes

qenavar nee trginn ta geat iM Misininaea tian ita ast Seas rh

i wae teri

retrer neti veh LL hans

{ tity ran SNe Oas Reactant Aon avian ce toteat te ype tna sneha ia Ae ey Ais nig at ca

a 4 I atioe ds ayy

tf iia analy itn ty racks tei Pern betstats

one Aan Av ga

nei

iy shirt as

Unita ie beeeas

anata

RHE Ht Hewat ch

thine tat ett

; Seana yeaa Wan

Aimed Manga eauee adhe oeaSanAs Hoot teh ott dy

i

i

Bat dan gpavune pa J esarat intel

aya tivarotai ata) ea Wi tiareobar cau Htets my vo nah ot eta hes ler eile olen

ipariesent

peli

eh aD Grp

(eben sta aaiat ut asunhaeatie Anat

eau se esd rye he Ura fe wae

eat aear ey seesasernnne aTonOhii) as oF feraunnening

Hee

brit rt owmae Bf in it aC Hua ete rit)

nS

a4

aint

ie !

Dine

H ei iral teat ioietpntetaigyisnegtitaevaineapticanate ite CARR

Phiialanneeope alt

Diitap dha tetas vdsnt noneegi hooray RawuassaTeneaa Eee WeRYB SOKA IE abe

eae rH

oh nig

MEH bt

ots t

niinaietae ule

ipawsiie a

i COON Sts ee

ithous jason a daira Ake Wa woaroN WEA LEAP pete

Puce Hanan onianirny

ene idbvaa paves Coon nn cbyly a at

it

Wynd aA

pve tein i Map ean ta Oe My helt

spa ita Inve ann aaya itp HOD Ke ENCLMOt Heh

we ia ig

i le

ih ‘ont eA Dn Dewi te any hes

ai rat eanneast 4 iba 48 Hh 94 era 98 baa a

‘ane

x fers

evant a hve we

Lt 5h ’ ihe Weve bar asntay rele tet betty ketubelety Witsoe et Ate titg we

atacosatn 9s a "y

Aiprwr naira dy ay etsy nana Haran ae se

DESDE ait Cy Ht { Vo ini nate ora bein Bit i bait rte it iar nya NO HAE meant frie}

ven cient

HN Raia i

yy aie 1

tM tt he x een

Pern Mad ae

iis fit ‘

fuel we

IpARARARAARRAR A ARE AAAS Aa NaanayaA aeapmaRheSeear «aq:

ANA A AAAAA SAR AR RRA ARA mm fe aa RAR AA nN ge aanne Ne P AAAAAAAAA- a mm BANE AAW ARERR RAR anne pLACECOORTN Ane Sn Nae a SNES Fa PAAR RRA rhaaas as | | RAR VAAN AVA AAY N=

AAA Aanaaeaaae a

‘a a aa a -V- as eS = rm ZV RAE . am a BAARABRARA aa=88 aoe nA aAe AA, 1 A

ARR RRR PRR RRR

fot be

\ y

enpeenenenne ae mney

RARRaRAnGane ae enna

} | Y ; ~~

Be GN er Sie

AAA manne ANA RAans ame : ve ae ar an SS Ca no a Nm a | | a AAA A AARAABAARARH = = ms | Be AAA neorrcacA-- ABAEr ER , apeeans - an DAR ma cs aaa AAA ECAR RRRRRRARRRER RAR AACT | <6 aaaanan BARAmancacon nn aaanaaaannanae - NAA AA ale | SARAR ARR AR AA RAAARAA nnn aa

Ty FO ge gs co 5 a eam | ~-

AARARAAAnaaan aannnnr Ramanan |p a woopenarenstenses

ananaanerioesne aacarscace FNRI ARN AY Y— PERCE -CACREREERREREE AY 1A amprercnananrrne

NA RAR TARA naan |

AAAR! em om em ew mm pm en oi Om PPA A an ve ; if yh Nv —~ PGRN ES Bai Foon (a a) = - ‘f - é AAA AAA ee eann a eee aaaaalaal AAAZAAZRaRa

)

| ; | | | \ } y | | | } AS A Deg AA => } | R i | | | ar A | ! y=) ON pe RANE

Yan ain aan ann an Ves afar” - am au

) J, Dp)

= ~~

YD} yy

| SPARS 15 al | i xl A= Z TN aA = Anal a aaa aA AAA “ARAB ARARA REF EAARARAAR as Van x

SSS

ae saAnnaaAAnal

AAAAAARAAA ,

= AP

waaeanaaaeronssone BER RAR AR a ner

BRARAARAAARAA AAO sesso an i roe - AAA ARAM AARAAA

: eaaaanannnrnanns haan PECCCRECLEES S RaRRRRARRARN Ro

a AAA E ey AAG anannnanentsasaeeeee

AARARAOORARARAT I Ae eee eee

ase a @ ON BERR RRARRARRRRARAROSCEO OES eae | ni ee Raa aaa yaar ARBARABA - pea. SRA anne z AAAAAA ARR Ann } “Alainin Baanaeemaecnarn REOCOREEECCOA CET AAS: AARARanennan BAARARAARARAARAM ARARAAAR XY aaannnnr’ ae AARAA

Renae naan 2 Rana RANRAROABRAAAABRARAARSAAREE A

mann nnn nAAARRAAAARAARA Sea RARas aA Epa lenaaneee

a AAAAAAR ADs a ARRAIONO

a Ananmnnacanan Aaaaas RAL

Aa ARR ABA

SNA aleale lalallala Beem Maem | AAARanannann Raan Aaane ee Ramee rmnnnae nner . AAR en a ED.

\ \a\ aaaaaaaaaan gece eaeeceeees

Maaaalaaaaaa aay pceaceebeerpeeeeereomeeeeaseee

DASADAaa= aaa Aes AAA AE A ENA ee

JAMaaree PrP Eerere Ana ane AA an a Cy BARRA nanannnannnnnnnn aac pe RRReRAAE sanana aa eager an nen ARAAAAR Py aaaanrayapnimnia lalallala aiavale lal

eC AAAI

aar AANA VV) L

AARaae Bie AAR AAR Ana ANARAAR Raaaaare nen AARRRaeAaa. A eraataascasatataassaas ce —aaacaaneeere

PARARAAAARAAR AAR EA RAnn ann aaaa Baan annnnnennrn Rane maa ag 217 popeeecee eye cee nnn

An

BA

ala Al ae

NANA Aaa NSA ge AAA ARRAS PRpaaan. ARIROsRARSRAA A prcoertecrnr ry AAA PAAAA AAR ARAAAAARA a

iDEA AAS ENE NGG (iad eaencncan (ED

|

BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA;

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE FAUNA AND FLORA 13780

MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA.

EDITED BY

F, DUCANE GODMAN AND OSBERT SALVIN,

ARCH AOLOGY.

By A. P. MAUDSLAY.

Vous. I-IV. = ai)

APPENDIX. By J. T. GOODMAN.

LONDON: PUBLISHED F OR THE EDITORS BY R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W., AND DULAU & CO., SOHO SQUARE, W. 1889-1902.

FLAMMAN,

PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,

RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.

i, 1 fone’ x} 4 a 4 é ae 5 }

‘, ay: fs j END. ; wy,

Voutume I,

Voxtume II.

Vouume III.

Voitume LV.

APPENDIX.

CONTENTS.

ARCH OLOGY.

Vorss ive

(TE XT.)

PREFACE InTRODUCTION COPAN

QUIRIGUA . IXKUN

YAXCHE.

RABINAL

CHINCUDATGMe ener ta tt: UTATLAN ann IXIMCHE

GUATEMALA—MIXCO (Founpation-Mounps)

MENCHE. .

CHICHEN ITZA TIKAL .

PALENQUE .

THE ARCHAIC MAYA INSCRIPTIONS CALENDARS.

1-144

BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA;

OR,

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE

FAUNA AND FLORA

MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA.

EDITED BY

F, DUCANE. GODMAN AND OSBERT SALVIN,

ARCHAOLOGY.

By A. P. MAUDSLAY.

Vot. I. (TEXT.)

LONDON:

PUBLISHED FOR THE EDITORS BY R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W.,

AND

DULAU & CO., SOHO SQUARE, W. 1889-1902.

FLAMMAM,

PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,

RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET,

PREFACE.

RRR RRR sn reer

My first journey through the Central-American forests in search of the ruins of ancient Indian towns, during the winter of 1882-85, was merely a journey of curiosity, and I had no intention whatever of making a study of American archeology. How- ever, the interest awakened by the sight of the truly wonderful monuments which it was my good fortune to behold induced me to undertake other and better-equipped expeditions, and the kindly encouragement and splendid liberality of the Editors of the ‘ Biologia Centrali-Americana’ led to the results of my journeys being published

in the present form.

I was at a loss to know how best to make use of my notes and collections, when Mr. Godman kindly offered to relieve me of all the expense of printing and the reproduction of plates, and to publish my work as an addition to the ‘ Biologia Centrali- Americana,’ if I would supply all necessary photographs, drawings, and plans, and a written memoir. I was naturally delighted to accept this generous offer, and from that day to this every assistance aud the most valuable advice has been afforded me by my Editors, and the work has gone on without a hitch. I am glad to have this oppor- tunity of thanking Mr. Godman for his unfailing patience and kindness during the many years over which the publication has extended, and to offer him my condolence on the loss of his co-editor and lifelong friend, Mr. Osbert Salvin, whose kindly nature endeared him to all, and by whose sound judgment and sympathetic advice I have been

guided and encouraged for so many years.

Since the publication of Stephens and Catherwood’s works in 1840-41, Central America had been almost neglected as a field of archeological research, owing no doubt, in a large measure, to the difficulties of travel and the disturbed state of the

a2

iv PREFAOH.

country. Such neglect is, however, never likely to occur again, for although many of the ruins are as deeply buried in the forest as they were in Stephens’s time, steamboats and railways have now brought the points of departure for exploring expeditions within at most a fortnight’s journey from New York, and the Universities and learned societies of the United States are becoming fully alive to the rich fields of research

within easy reach.

I have myself undertaken three expeditions since the Introduction to these volumes was written, and was ably assisted in my work at Palenque and Quirigua by Mr. H. W. Price, and at Chichén Itzai by Mr. H. N. Sweet.

M. Désiré Charnay has given us the results of his journeys in Mexico in ‘ Les Anciennes Villes du Nouveau Monde,’ and the collections made by him are exhibited in Paris. The Peabody Museum of Harvard University has equipped and sent out expedition after expedition, and under its auspices Messrs. John G. Owens, G. B. Gordon, and H. M. Saville have done good work at Copan and elsewhere. Mr. E. H. Thompson has added much to our knowledge of the ruins of Northern Yucatan, and Mr. Teobert Maler to that of the ruins of Southern Yucatan and the banks of the Usumacinta. The results of these expeditions are to be found in the publications of the Peabody Museum, and the fine collection of casts at Harvard and also in the Natural History Museum of New York.

Dr. E. Seler, of Berlin, has again visited Mexico and Central America, and has added to his valuable publications on American ethnology and archeology. Mr. W. H. Tolmes has given us a most lucid account of his rapid survey of many ruins during the winter of 1894-95, published by the Field Columbian Museum of Chicago; and Dr. Carl Sapper has rendered great service, both by his geographical observations and maps and by making sketch plans of many of the less known ruins. Mr. Erwin Dieseldorff has most industriously dug up and collected specimens of pottery in the Alta Vera Paz, of which drawings have been published. More recently the Society of Antiquaries has published copies of the very interesting mural paintings from British Honduras, unearthed and most carefully reproduced by Mr. I. Gann, and Miss A. Breton has made accurate copies of the fast-vanishing mural paintings at Chichén Itza. .

I have mentioned only the names of those working in the field within the area dealt with in these volumes; but the list would have to be greatly extended were it to

ss)

PREFACE. Vv

include the names of workers in Mexico north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and of those who have done so much excellent work in the reproduction of ancient Indian codices and records as well as in their study and elucidation.

In the Introduction I ventured to express a hope that I might be able to make a careful comparison of the monuments and inscriptions of the same locality, one with the other, and then a further comparison between the different groups of ruins: this I have not been able to do, and I did not at the time appreciate the magnitude of the task and the prolonged study necessary for its satisfactory accomplishment. It has, however, to some extent been accomplished in the much-criticised Appendix prepared by my friend Mr. J. T. Goodman. ‘This is not the place to uphold the merits of Mr. Goodman’s work, but I think that the continual use made of his calendars by students of the inscriptions will reconcile him to any exception taken to some of his theories.

Before closing these lines I wish to offer my thanks to Gorgonio Lopez and his brothers, my faithful assistants and friends, who accompanied me on all but one of my journeys; and to Mr. Giuntini, who spent two winters with me in the forests, and did most excellent work under very trying conditions, and has since then made all the casts which are stored in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and also the duplicate casts of the more important pieces which the generosity of the Duke de Loubat secured for the Trocadero Museum in Paris and the Natural [History Museum of New York, where

they are now exhibited.

I am indebted to Mr. E. Lambert, who made some of the first drawings from the casts, when the style of work was unfamiliar and consequently presented many difficulties. Above all, I wish to tender my grateful thanks to Miss Annie Hunter. ‘To students of the inscriptions and sculptures her clever delineation of the carvings will need no further commendation ; but I gladly welcome this opportunity of acknowledging the inestimable value of her intelligent and untiring assistance during the cighteen

years this work has been in progress.

HAYS OEM wi Std A,

hy Rees EK f ae ug rik ; Aah WT

Ld ig it

¥ f ve 1] t Sy staan Cah ehebe. Cm,

er

hapa

St

i

i erik ie

me

’ ik ah Si , athe oe Ten ee ei Te wee

‘ iat ® Ay wae fad UMD: 4

CONTENTS.

ARCH ZOLOGY.

Vor.

(TEXT.)

IRI DT NODD hig acti Wn AGE ghee hols 6) lg MO 2bB Be. Ve. FOSS To ol 6 45) 0 io HY LN TRO DW CRON Ged eects aia fuk peal oy Nod enue enters ten FoTh oiag)) Wey CMe varias a forage

COPAN. PrincipaL Notices AND DescriIpPTIONS OF THE Ruins . . 2 « . 2 «© «© «© «© « 5-9 PERSONAL NARRATIVE. arty cer merie ais oy vebutal dae Qicey areca ie mural eoseuil Watt Oran area tarenen anita ah Les) GENERAL) DESCRIPTIGNOR SITE! 12) iccl eal sine) | eis ele lel ie dente a elniee el olen lame G) Detartep Description OF PRINCIPAL STRUCTURES . . » «© © + « «© «= © « « 17-32 Description OF STELA AND ALTARS ea GEIRY Sl hs pasa cai aby taal Comma ne OO Description of ornament; the Feathered Serer SNA O Oso Lo) Oke oo) Cee Notation and the Initial sues BRUHN He OFC Salhi sca oral Mansi DAU Fala Mo bGae SIP MeN stale) acto SerpentsDindiey sw icimeiaver ty lieve avis nite nici) suaemmion Meira ta chleelmredite mm Oo C4)

Expeditiony ofp SO rae teai einem sie iol rouie it el deel mite sa die cml MOO OO

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT.

St eee) Ue POU ire ee sig 1 Church at Esquipulas .. . 5 : SRST SHaVAueN chance zeta mre rs 4 Stone Head found lying on the Souter Siones (Co UA UPO SE Lely tor Geeta eaean aeeuiitre 9 Square Altar (T) in the Village of Copan. . . Seal tay SOO) G, cone 8) Sa 10 View of the principal group of ruined structures fom the INS Wit ich cules ewe 14 Sketch Map of the Site of Ruins at Copan. . Ds WON Gu ik Gledbtchs, AG heal 15 *Part of the face of a step from the Hieroglyphic Senay LE MRI O TS ONAL ist Glin 16

* See page 69.

vill CONTENTS.

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT (continued).

Pages The Jaguar Stairway, partly restored . 2 2 - 2 ee ee we ee ees 17 Temple at Tikal, partly restored . © 6 © 2 + © 6 «© ee ee ete es 18 Section through single-chambered house. . « - © + © © © © e © ee l 19 IROOF-StONE et Gein) ssl) eh) cei) eo Sacer ETON Roo ner ees Sti an ace

Plan OLMNOs Wild: Ma fo et ee eee ee aoe hone Pre Mar eT Cn Ceordieirl ie prpaesA Toray ie 21

Plan of the Western Court . . . SHR UU UTen hey CUR ANT oa ae akon) Cra yey Vc Eta ola tre 23 Section through No. 14, showing line of EXCAVALIONY Meee Wiese ie nears pil on Meena 25 PlanvoLMNo wl Gr ner, cape uee cer eth is) iaeld tenty cteiastecn iu Vope taumteu iene yen een MMe tr eds 25 Planvand: SectionoLe Nowe) merit aioe yee ent en erectile) Samco geStnNes healer ate 26 Planvo£ No. 22/25). s) . Se SANTI ice ne ter wecnt hr auU tes ote tiga Nenu tatt Gat Oe sor 28 Hieroglyphic Stairway tasction) mine e dlPelpornicss Lien Mec tesdiate are Mey aks Mitel sd es 30 Part of the face of a step from the Hieros alyahie Stairway, ded Nanos ane 32 Stone Mask from Mexico, now in the British Museum . .... +... 33

ne ‘ sy af (Sidewview) ire yi nee ina 35 Stone Head in the British Museum, said to have come from Copan . . . . . . 44

x a Es a ss (side view) . . 47

EsquipuLas.

INTRODUCTION.

Wuutsr so much has been done of late years to throw light on the history of the ancient races of the east, our knowledge of the civilized nations of the western continent has remained almost at a standstill. Comparatively little was accurately recorded of the habits, customs and religion, or of the political and social life of the more civilized American races when the conquering Spaniards first came in contact with them, and next to nothing is known of their past history or the origin of their civilization.

So far is this the case that it is still a matter of dispute whether Montezuma was a

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., December 1888. 6

2 INTRODUCTION.

great hereditary emperor or merely the elected head of a communal household, and whether the Mayas derived their culture from the Nahuas, or the Nahuas from the Mayas, or whether both inherited it from the T oltecs, or, again, whether the Toltecs themselves are not altogether mythical.

With regard to Mexico and Central America, Cortez, Bernal Dias, and a few others amongst the early conquerors have left excellent accounts of what actually passed before their eyes, and these records are of inestimable value. The writers who followed during the first century of the Spanish occupation are not so satisfactory : those who were Spaniards were inclined to exaggeration in order to magnify the importance of the conquests and the strength of the resistance overcome by their countrymen ; some, who were of distinguished Indian descent, were led so to define the status of their ancestors as to bring it into accord with Spanish ideas of sovereignty ; whilst nearly all were ecclesiastics, and were constrained to fit all Indian traditions and to trace all native customs to an origin which was in accordance with the accepted Biblical history of the human race.

But notwithstanding the exaggerated statements made by these writers, and the erroneous interpretation which they put on much that they saw and heard, their writings have a very considerable value.

It would indeed have been wonderful if the Spanish conquerors could have broken the bonds with which the teaching of the day and the unquestioned religious belief of the age fettered their minds. When they first landed in America their imaginations were full of the phantasies and imagery of the east; they looked for fabulous cities and fountains of eternal youth; but their ideas of government and social life did not range beyond the feudal relationships of Western Europe, and their minds failed to grasp a state of affairs so different from what they looked for, and so unlike that to which they were accustomed, whilst even the most observant and discriminating were at a great disadvantage in having to explain the social, religious, and political systems of the New World in terminology suited only to the Old.

It is to be hoped that modern criticism will not long leave the information buried in these records in its present unsifted condition, and that a more careful editing of the early Spanish writings, and further research amongst the vast collection of documents relating to the Indies which are preserved at Seville, will do much to determine the accuracy of our knowledge and add considerably to its extent.

It is not, however, only from written records that our knowledge can be increased. Lying scattered over certain portions of the American continent (and especially numerous in the dense tropical forests between the south of Mexico and the northern frontier of Honduras) are remains of buildings and monuments, which were raised by the civilized races of America ages before the arrival of the Spaniards. And it was with the desire to preserve some further record of these remains, and especially to take exact copies of the carved hieroglyphic inscriptions, before the disintegrating effects of a tropical climate and the careless mutilations by man had

INTRODUCTION. 3

rendered them useless for study, that the explorations were undertaken, the results of which are given in this publication.

Stephens and Catherwood were the pioneers in this work, and their very accurate and beautifully illustrated works will always remain of the greatest value to the student of American Archeology ; but the improvements made during the last fifty years in the processes of moulding and photography now make it possible to produce copies of Indian carvings even more exact than those traced by the skilful hand of Catherwood.

In preparing this publication I am met at the outset with considerable difficulty in determining in what order and what form the information and collections acquired during my journeys can be rendered most intelligible and useful for study.

The plan of operations adopted as far as possible in America was first to establish the geographical position of a group of ruins, and make a survey of the site, then to take careful measurements of the buildings, and to photograph such as were sufficiently well preserved, and then, where possible, both to mould in paper or plaster and to photograph the sculptured monuments and all the hieroglyphic inscriptions. The method of further investigation which promises to give the best result is the careful comparison of the monuments and the inscriptions of the same locality, one with another, and then the further comparison of the different groups of monuments which I have examined, or such as are described with sufficient accuracy by other travellers. The plan, then, which it is proposed to follow in this publication, is to give a sketch map of the site of a group of ruins showing the position of the buildings and monu- ments, to be followed by detailed plans of the buildings, and photographs and drawings of the monuments and inscriptions, accompanied by such short notes as may, during the course of publication, give some additional interest to the illustrations; but to defer a fuller examination and comparison of the material presented until a sufficient number of illustrations are before the reader to enable him to judge of the value of such comments as may then be offered for his consideration. The work of making plaster casts from the moulds taken in America is now in progress in England, and a consi- derable number of these casts are already on exhibition at the South Kensington Museum and the Archxological Museum at Cambridge. Skilful artists are being employed to make drawings of all the inscriptions (and in some instances of other sculptures) from the plaster casts, with the aid, in most cases, of photographs of the original sculpture. These drawings, which I have most carefully supervised, are not intended to be exact copies of the carvings in their present mutilated and weather-worn state, but representations of the inscriptions, restored, as far as with our present know- ledge they safely can be, to their original condition. I know how liable such restoration is to serious error, and feel the responsibility involved in undertaking it. But careful

comparison of one inscription with another has convinced me that many of the worn b2

4 INTRODUCTION.

glyphs can be restored with absolute certainty, and in no case will the restoration of a glyph be attempted (except as a marginal note) where there is not a fair indication of its original form. I have, however, the satisfaction of knowing that any student seeking the interpretation of the inscriptions can correct the errors of the drawings by reference to the photographs which will invariably accompany them, or by a visit to the Museums where the casts are exhibited. The publication will be continued in parts, as the work of casting and drawing progresses ; it will therefore of necessity be fragmentary, and it may possibly be interrupted for a time, should I undertake further explorations in Central America.

Cuaurcn at Esquipunas.

Cr

COPAN.

COPAN.

PrincipaL Notices AND Descriptions oF THE RUINS. Copan has been already described in the following books and letters: —

A letter from the Licenciado Diego Garcia de Palacio to Philip II. of Spain, dated Guatemala, 8th March, 1576.

Published in Spanish with an English Translation by Squier in ‘Collection of Rare and Original Documents and Relations concerning the Discovery and Conquest of America, chiefly from the Spanish Archives.’ New York, 1850. A copy of this portion of the letter is also to be seen amongst the Muiios collection of Spanish MSS. in the British Museum (17,571).

‘Historia de Guatemala; Recordacion Florida,’ escrita el siglo xvii. MS. By Francisco Antonio de Fuentes y Guzman *.

Letter dated Copan, 19th June, 1834, from Colonel Juan Galindo, to the editor of the ‘Literary Gazette’ of London, printed in ‘ Literary Gazette’ for 1835, pp. 456-7. A similar letter printed in the ‘Transactions of the American Antiquarian Society,’ vol. xi. pp. 545-50.

‘Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan,’ by John L. Stephens. John Murray, London, 1841.

No record has been left by the Spaniards who first penetrated into this part of the country of the existence of any large town or civilized population where the ruins are now found, and the attempt made by Juarros f, in his History of Guatemala, to connect the site of the ruins with that of an Indian stronghold conquered by Hernando de Chaves in 1530, will not bear scrutiny, although the fact that Chaves made an expe- dition into this part of the country and subdued the Indians in the neighbourhood is not disputed.

We have to turn, then, for the only trustworthy information given by the Spaniards about these ruins to the letter written by the Licenciado Diego Garcia de Palacio, an officer of the Audiencia of Guatemala, to King Philip II. of Spain. The contents of this letter have been made use of by Herrera and other historians, but they have omitted to take notice of that part dealing with the ruins of Copan. ‘The great importance of this description was justly appreciated by Squier, who, in 1860, published the whole letter in Spanish as well as an English translation. The following is Palacio’s account of the ruins :—

“Near here, on the road to the city of San Pedro, in the first town within the

* The first half of this History (which does not contain any notice of Copan) was published with notes by Don Justo Zaragoza, 2 vols., 8vo, Madrid, 1882-3.

+ Compendio de la Historia de la Ciudad de Guatemala, por El Senor Don Domingo Juarros. Guatemala, 1808.

6 COPAN.

province of Honduras, called Copan, are certain ruins and vestiges of a great population and of superb edifices, of such skill and splendour that it appears that they could never have been built by the natives of that province. ‘They are found on the banks of a beautiful river in an extensive and well-chosen plain, which is temperate in climate, fertile, and abounding in fish and game. Amongst the ruins are mounds which appear to have been made by the hand of man *, as well as many other remarkable things.

‘“‘ Before arriving at them we find the remains of thick walls, and a great eagle in stone, having on its breast a tablet a yard square, and on it certain characters which are not understood. On arriving at the ruins we find another stone in the form of a giant, which the elders amongst the Indians f aver was the guardian of the sanctuary. Entering into it we find a cross of stone, three palms in height, with one of the arms broken off. Further on we come to ruins, and, among them, stones sculptured with much skill; also a great statue, more than four yards in height, which resembles a bishop in his pontifical robes with a well-wrought mitre (on his head) and rings on his fingers.

* Near this is a well-built plaza or square with steps, such as writers tell us are in the Coliseum at Rome. In some places there are eighty steps, in part at least of fine stone, finished and laid with much skill.

“In this square are six great statues, three representing men, covered with mosaic work and with garters round their legs, their weapons covered with ornaments; two of the others are of women with long robes and head-dress in the Roman style. The remaining statue is of a bishop, who appears to hold in his hand a box or small cofier. ‘They seem to have been idols, for in front of each of them is a large stone with a small basin and a channel cut in it, where they executed the victim and blood flowed off. We found also small altars used for burning incense. In the centre of the square is a large basin of stone which appears to have been used for baptism, and in which, also, sacrifices may have been made in common. After passing this square we ascend by a great number of steps to a high place which appears to have been devoted to mitotes and other ceremonies; it seems to have been constructed with the greatest care, for through the whole of it there can still be found stone excellently worked. On one side of this structure is a tower or terrace, very high, and overhanging the river which flows at its base.

“Here a large piece of the wall has fallen, exposing the entrance of two caves or passages extending under the structure, very long and narrow, and well built. I was not able to discover for what they served or why they were constructed. ‘There is a grand stairway descending by a great number of steps to the river. Besides these things

© « Wai montes que paracen haber sido fechos a mano” Squier here translates ‘are trees which appear to have been planted by hand.” ‘ Monte” all over Spanish America is synonymous with “ bush ” as that term is used in Australia; but it here clearly is used in its original sense of hill or mound.

+ “ Dicen los Indios antiguos.”

COPAN. 7

there are many others which prove that here was formerly the seat of a great power and a great population, civilised and considerably advanced in the arts, as is shown in the various figures and building.

“ T endeavoured with all possible care to ascertain from the Indians, through the traditions derived from the ancients *, what people lived here, or what they knew or had heard from their ancestors concerning them. But they had no books relating to their antiquities, nor do I believe that in all this district there is more than one, which I possess. They say that in ancient times there came from Yucatan a great lord who built these edifices, but that at the end of some years he returned to his native country, leaving them entirely deserted.

** And this is what appears most likely, for tradition says the people of Yucatan in time past conquered the provinces of Uyajalf, Lacandon, Vera Paz, Chiquimula, and Copan ; and it is certain that the Apay language which is spoken here is current and understood in Yucatan and the aforesaid provinces. It appears also that the design of these edifices is like that of those which the Spaniards first discovered in Yucatan and ‘Tobasco, where there were figures of bishops and armed men and crosses. And as such things are found nowhere except in the aforesaid places, it may well be believed that the builders of ali were of the same nation.”

This description is such as might have been written by any intelligent visitor within even the last few years. The edifices were evidently in a state of complete ruin, and no mention is made of any roofed buildings or, in fact, of any buildings which could have been used as habitations. It is clear from other parts of this letter that Palacio was a very diligent and careful inquirer into all matters connected with the history and customs of the Indians, yet the very vague story which he was able to gather from the natives in the neighbourhood is no more than they would probably have invented to account for the existence of the ruins, even had all connected tradition died out.

The MS. of Fuentes y Guzman is preserved in the city of Guatemala. I have looked through a copy which is kept in the University Library in that city, but regret to say that arrangements which I made to have certain passages copied were not carried out, and I am not able to quote them textually. However, I have little hesitation in stating that information given by Fuentes is frequently untrustworthy and his writings of Jittle value.

Fuentes’s description of Copan is so absurd and so directly contradicted by what can still be seen on the spot that it has been long discredited, and is only worth quoting to _show where the errors of later writers have had their origin.

The following is the account of the ruins of Copan given by Juarros in his History # “Saber, por la memoria derivada de los antiguos, que gente vivio alli, e que saben e oyeron de sus

antepasados.” + Uyajal, probably Tyasal, the modern Flores, an island in the Lake of Peten.

§ COPAN.

of Guatemala, and there is no reason to doubt that he is quoting accurately from the MS. of Fuentes :—

Copan was in former times the wealthy city and court of the Cacique Copan-Calel, who was conquered, after much labour and difficulty, by the Capitan Hernando de Chaves.

“The historian of this country, Don Francisco de Fuentes, asserts that in his time (that is to say, in the year 1700) the Circus Maximus of Copan was still entire and perfect ; this was a small circular plaza surrounded by pyramids, six or seven yards high, built of very well-worked stone. At the foot of the pyramids were some life-sized figures of men and women beautifully sculptured, and the colours with which they were enamelled still well preserved ; but the most curious thing about these figures is that they are clothed in the Castillian costume.

“Tn the centre of this plaza, above a flight of steps, is the place of sacrifice.

“The same historian says that at a short distance from the Circus is a doorway also of stone, with columns representing the figures of men, like those in the Circus; these figures are also clothed in Castillian costutae, with hose, frilled collar, sword, cap, and short coat.

“Entering by this gateway one admires two fine stone pyramids, broad and high, with a hammock slung between them, and in the hammock two human figures, one of each sex, dressed like Indians. But the most surprising thing is that, although it is of such great size, there is no joint or rivetting to be seen, and, notwithstanding its being all of stone and of such enormous weight, it swings with a slight touch of the hand.

‘A short distance from this hammock is to be seen the cave of Tibulca; this appears to be a large temple of great size and capacity, dug out of the foot of a hill, adorned with columns, with bases, capitals, and crowns, all perfectly adjusted by the principles of architecture.

“Tn the sides of the temple are a great number of windows ornamented with skil- fully worked stone. All of which things persuade and convince one that in the times of the ancients there was communication and commerce between the inhabitants of the Old World and the New.”

The Report of Colonel Juan Galindo, who was commissioned by the Government of Guatemala to examine the ruins, appears never to have been published in full, and the short notices sent by him to foreign scientific societies and periodicals do not add much to our knowledge. The most important passage in his letter will be quoted hereafter when the detailed description of the ruined structures is given.

The next description of Copan is from the pen of John L. Stephens, who, in the year 1859, was despatched on a special mission from the President of the United States to the Government of Central America. Finding it impossible to carry out his diplo- matic mission, owing to the state of anarchy to which the country had been reduced

COPAN. 9

by continual revolution and civil war, Stephens devoted most of his time to the explo- ration of the ruins of ancient Indian monuments and buildings, and on his return to the United States published a most interesting and accurate account of his travels and of the discoveries he had made.

Stephens was accompanied during his travels by Frederick Catherwood, an English artist, whose beautiful pencil-drawings add immensely to the value of the book.

Almost all the sculptured monuments at Copan which were then to be seen above ground are described and figured in Stephens’s work ; but, like all other visitors to the ruins, he failed to understand the nature of the ruined structures, mistaking ruined houses for fallen city walls, and seeing no trace of stone-roofed buildings which might have served as dwelling-houses or temples.

In Bancroft’s ‘ Native Races of the Pacific States’ (vol. iv.) there is a description of Copan principally founded on that of Stephens. his description is accompanied by a full and interesting bibliographical note, but the MSS. and publications mentioned in it add nothing to our knowledge of the Ruins.

Sronr HEAD FOUND LYING ON THE SOUTHERN SLOPES.

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Archeeol., December 1888. Cc

10 COPAN.

Sevare Arar (T) In THE VILLAGE oF Copan.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

My first visit to Copan was made in January 1881. I had landed at Yzabal about a fortnight before, and was on my way to Guatemala city accompanied by a native muleteer in charge of two pack-mules. My interest in American antiquities had already been aroused by what I had seen on the road from Yzabal of the ruins at Quirigua.

During this first visit to Copan, which lasted only three days, I was able, with the

COPAN. 11

aid of the plan and description given in Stephens’s ‘ Travels in Central America,’ to see all the monuments then known to exist there.

My next visit was in January 1885, when I had already gained some experience in investigating Indian ruins. I was accompanied by the three brothers Gorgonio, Carlos, and Jose Domingo Lopes, two of whom had been with me during former expeditions.

Near the frontier of Honduras I was met by two gentlemen, Don Carlos Madrid and Don Jorge Dowson, who had been sent by General Bogran, the President of Honduras, to assist in my investigations. At the end of a few days I bade good bye to these gentlemen, who returned to their homes, and then, leaving Gorgonio Lopes in charge of the work of clearing away the undergrowth and cleaning the sculptured monu- ments, I myself set out for Yzabal to meet Mr. Guintini, a skilled worker in plaster, who had been my assistant during an expedition to the ruins of Quirigua in the year 1883.

Unfortunately the steamer in which Mr. Guintini sailed from England broke her shaft, and had to go back to Cork for repairs, so that his arrival was considerably delayed. I occupied the time with a visit to Chaal and Cajabon, and to the ruins of “‘ Chacujal,” on a branch of the Rio Polochic. On returning to Yzabal 1 met Mr. Guintini, and, after starting off the pack-mules with the heavy baggage and moulding- materials, we set out ourselves and arrived at Copan on the 26th February, and remained camped there until the beginning of June. The list of baggage was a long one, for, in addition to supplies of food, we needed for our work the following articles :—axes, picks, crowbars, and other tools, surveying and photographic apparatus, photographic dry-plates and chemicals, lime, bales of moulding-paper, and four tons of plaster of Paris. This plaster was shipped from England in tin-lined barrels, which were opened at Yzabal, and the plaster was then packed in waterproof sacks, each holding about 85 lbs. Two of these sacks was as much as a mule could carry,

The only “roads” in this part of the country are rough mule-tracks, in some places almost impassable during the wet season; and although the journey from Yzabal to Copan can be accomplished on a good riding-mule in three days, pack-mules need more than double that time for the journey, even during fine weather.

The village of Copan stands at an elevation of 1700 feet above the sea-level, and during the months of March, April, and May the climate is almost perfect. The heat is, of course, considerable at midday, but the mornings, evenings, and nights are delightful. There is a good supply of water, and as the country is partly cleared of forest, and under cultivation, there is none of the cooped-up feeling which is experienced when working in a small clearing in a tropical forest, as was the case at Quirigua. There are very few mosquitoes, but unfortunately there is a still worse pest in the myriads of ticks which, at the beginning of the dry season, swarm over every leaf and blade of grass.

Soon after we had set to work on my return from Chaal, war broke out between the

Republics of Guatemala and Honduras on the one side and San Salvador and Nicaragua c2

12 COPAN.

on the other. This war seriously interfered with my work. A large body of troops was camped near Esquipulas, a small town about thirty miles to the south-west, cele- brated asa place of pilgrimage to the shrine of the black Christ *. All the mules in the neighbourhood were taken up for war-transport, and there was much difficulty in getting up the relays of stores and material I needed from Yzabal.

Nearly all my labourers were carried off to serve—very unwillingly—as soldiers, and my work had to be carried on with such men as had passed the military age, and a few waifs and strays who had managed to escape the vigilance of the government officers.

Every now and then a report came that troops were marching towards the village, and my neighbours generally prepared to betake themselves to the bush with such few valuables as they possessed, and leave the village in charge of two or three cripples and some ancient ladies. It was only from predatory bands who might take advantage of the disturbed state of affairs that I myself looked for any trouble; but nevertheless it was uncomfortable, as the wildest rumours were flying about, and it was impossible to get any trustworthy information. My friends in the city of Guatemala wrote to me, most strongly urging me to beat a retreat to the coast, and added that it was quite impossible, in the dangerous state of the roads, to send me the silver I needed to con- tinue paying my workmen.

But I determined to hold on, as I had most thorough confidence in the assistants whom I had brought with me, who were all old and tried companions. I did not, however, expect the confidence and support which I received from the villagers, who had looked upon me anything but favourably when first I came amongst them, and who themselves bore a most unenviable reputation, which I am delighted to have an oppor- tunity to refute; for, although very lazy and with a deep-rooted fear of soap and water, I found them to be truthful, good tempered, and remarkably honest. When I was reduced to my last dollar, not only did the men left in Copan and the neighbour- hood volunteer to go on working for me, saying that they knew I would pay them when I could receive the money to do so, but they actually scraped together the few dollars which could be found in the village and lent them to me, so that I could pay off some workmen who came from distant villages, and were obliged to return to their homes.

Finally, a battle was fought not far from Esquipulas, in which General Barrios, the President of Guatemala (who had always been a good friend to me during my previous expeditions) was killed, and the war came to an end and some of my labourers returned.

There was, however, another matter which caused me anxiety and interfered seriously with the supply of labourers, which was that during the whole of my stay at Copan, an epidemic of small-pox raged in the neighbourhood. I am thankful to say that there were no cases in Copan itself; but I rode through some villages only a few miles distant

* Views of Esquipulas and of the church containing the shrine of the black Christ are given on pages 1 and 4.

COPAN. 13 which were altogether deserted, but where the long rows of mounds and the hastily- made crosses by the roadside showed the havoc which the disease had caused before the survivors had fled. ‘The Alcalde of Comotan (the nearest Indian town) told me that more than a hundred deaths were reported to him in a week.

Towards the end of May the heavy thunder-storms and increasing rain warned us to prepare for our return journey. By this time the paper we had brought with us had been tumed into large paper-moulds, which needed much care in handling, and the four tons of plaster of Paris into fourteen hundred pieces of ‘‘ piece-moulding ” of various shapes and sizes, with sharp corners and delicate edges, which required the most careful protection against the rough jolting over the mountain-track. I had fortunately taken the precaution of bringing with me from England several hundredweight of tow and a large quantity of wrapping-paper, so that each piece of the plaster-moulds could be well covered with tow and wrapped and tied up in a separate paper parcel. About sixteen of these parcels could be packed into each of the two wooden boxes which a mule carried. ‘The paper-moulds were sown up in waterproof “ American cloth” and packed in open crates made of laths of the very light wood of a species of Hibiscus which grew in the neighbourhood; and these unwieldy but not heavy packages were carried on the backs of Indians safely to the port of Yzabal, where the moulds were repacked in strong wooden cases.

It seemed to me that all danger of damage or destruction to the moulds might then be considered to be at an end; but such was not the case. ‘The steamer in which I sailed with my treasures from Livingstone broke her shaft whilst crossing the Gulf of Mexico, about ninety miles distant from the north coast of Yucatan, and we drifted about in a helpless condition for some days, until the currents carried us over the edge of the great bank of Yucatan, where we dropped anchor about sixty miles from land in forty-five fathoms of water. Fortunately the weather held fine, and at the end of a week a small steamer hove in sight and came to our assistance, and carried the passengers to New Orleans. On our arrival in port tugs were immediately despatched to succour the disabled vessel; and as soon as she was safely towed into port I transferred all my cases to a steamer leaving for England.

When only a few days out this steamer ran aground on one of the numerous reefs near the coast of Florida, and her cargo had to be taken out of her; but, although my personal baggage was damaged, the moulds fortunately escaped unharmed, and at last arrived safely in England.

14 COPAN.

VIEW OF THE PRINCIPAL GROUP OF RUINED STRUCTURES FROM THE NORTH-WEST.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE.

The name “Copan” properly applies to the district or province in which the ruins are found, but it is more frequently used to designate the small modern village which has been built amidst the remains of the ancient Indian structures.

This village is situated just within the western boundary of the Republic of Honduras (lat. 14° 50’ 30" N.), on the right bank of the Copan river, a stream which rises to the north-east of the ruins, and, after flowing for about thirty miles in a westerly direction, turns to the north and joins the Rio Motagua in the neighbourhood of Zacapa. ‘The Motagua then continues its course in an east-north-easterly direction to the Gulf of Honduras, passing close to the group of ruins at Quirigua.

COPAN. 15

The distance between Copan and Quirigua cannot be much more than twenty-five miles. There is, however, at the present time no road over the rugged and thickly- wooded hills lying between them, and the shortest practicable track takes a considerable bend westward and strikes the Motaguaa little below Gualan.

The valley formed by the Copan river is about a mile and a half in width where the principal ruins are found. ‘The stream enters this valley from the north-east, flowing between hills which open out gradually, and after running about a mile in a south- westerly direction, near to the southern line of hills, it turns for a short distance to the west and touches the principal group of ruins, then bends sharply to the south, and, after flowing for about half a mile in that direction, turns again to the west and flows on along the south side of the plain.

The tops of the hills on each side of the valley are thinly covered with pine-trees, but the lower slopes are clothed with an almost impenetrable thicket of low trees and shrubs.

A WSS

te AWS

Pee creel qu ( Pe, \\ ( Pink x Vi aA Vi \ ; iidliagt pee 8 eee 2 and StoneHouses.

Plain covered with

remains of Stone Houses.

<——_—_ 7

aw Ipiysbee '

——

pagan

\ i NG My Vy HAN wal rome Nh ‘ Luge a

S

Rae OF THE SITE OF

RUINS at COPAN.

The modern village stands on part of the site of the ancient pueblo, about three- quarters of a mile to the west of the principal group of ruined edifices, and is merely a collection of a dozen miserable shanties inhabited by half-castes. The clearings con- tinually made by these people for their tobacco and maize plantations have kept much of the plain free from large timber-trees, and for a distance of about three miles along the valley (wherever the more recent clearings enable one to examine the ground) raised

16 COPAN.

foundations and mounds of stones can be seen, evidence of the considerable population which must have at one time inhabited the plain, and similar remains can be found in many of the smaller valleys in the neighbourhood.

The small village of Cachapa, which is situated about seven miles up the river-valley to the north-east, also stands on the site of old buildings, and several pieces of stone with remains of hieroglyphic writing on them are still to be seen lying amongst the rubbish on the plaza. Down stream, about two and a half miles west of the village of Copan, at the top of a high hill commanding a magnificent view of the valley, there are also to be seen remains of some stone foundations, and, lying amongst them, a fallen and broken monolith (originally standing about 12 feet high above ground), carved all over with a hieroglyphic inscription, now much worn and very indistinct.

The sketch-map shows a high pyramidal foundation [No. 29], close to the houses of the modern village of Copan, at the top of which was found a flat slab of stone (S), about two feet square, with a hieroglyphic inscription on its sides. I was not able to ascertain if any stone building had ever stood on this foundation. There is a broken and defaced monolith lying in the scrub about 50 yards to the west of the village, and two “altars” (T & U) stand on the village green, and some other fragments of broken and defaced carved monuments were found from time to time in the neigh- bouring thickets.

The plain between the stream that runs on the east side of the village and the principal ruined edifices is covered with the remains of groups of houses generally arranged round a courtyard. Only a few of the higher foundations which may have supported temples are marked on the map. There is one broken monolith lying in the scrub to the north of the track to Cachapa.

Panz cr THE Ack OF A STEP FroM THE HrgRoeiyrwic Srarrway. (No. 27, Plate I.)

COPAN, 17

Vure Goupil & Imp Boussod Valadon &C' P' P.

Tur Jacua Srarrway (No. 24, Pruare I.), PARTLY RESTORED.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL STRUCTURES.

At the commencement of the survey the whole area comprised in the plan (Plate 1.) was covered with a dense growth of trees and shrubs, which had to be cleared away and burnt; but the level plazas, having been used as planting-ground, were free from large timber-trees. The careless burning of felled timber and shrubs by the villagers when forming their plantations has proved most disastrous to the sculpture in the plazas ; almost all has been seriously damaged by fire and some entirely destroyed.

On the slopes and raised terraces, which could not be planted with maize, there is still a thick growth of forest-trees, which, except when absolutely necessary, I did not remove.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., December 1888. d

18 COPAN.

The lines on the plan are more regular than those presented to the eye at the ruins, as they have been laid down without showing the masses of fallen stones and débris. This, however, was not done by guesswork, but by moving the displaced stones at intervals and thus ascertaining the original limits of the slopes and stairways.

The mass of terraces and pyramidal foundations is built up of a rubble of rough blocks of stone and mud, bound together, in the course of erection, with internal upright walls of faced stone and horizontal layers of cement. The outer surfaces were always covered with a casing of well-worked stone, in many parts elaborately sculptured, and the whole was probably faced with a coating of plaster ornamentally coloured, of which some traces can still be found.

PhotoSravure-Goupil & Imp Boussod Valad TreMPLE AT TIKAL, PARTLY RESTORED,

The sections (Plate II.) give some idea of the mass of masonry which has been raised from the plain. On the pyramidal foundations the worked stone casing is usually

COPAN. 19

arranged in great steps, a single step measuring in some instances as much as 8 feet in breadth and height. ‘The heavy rains and the growth of the roots of trees and shrubs have reduced these structures to rough-looking mounds of tumbled blocks of stone and rubbish, square or oblong at the base, more or less rounded at the corners, and rising almost to a point or flat ridge at the top. Some of the buildings which stood on these foundations were two storeys high, and all, probably, had lofty superstructures (such as can still be seen at Tikal, and at the ruins of Menché on the banks of the Rio Usumacinta). The destruction of these superstructures accounts for the present shape of the mounds—the falling masonry has knocked off the salient angles of the large steps, and filled up the receding angles with broken fragments, and the whole mass has been subsequently bound together by the roots of trees. So complete is the ruin of the temples and houses that in no single instance could any portion of the walls of these buildings be seen without digging through the fallen masonry and rubbish to some considerable depth.

The system of roofing here used (as in almost all ancient American buildings) was what may be called the horizontal arch. The idea that stone-roofed houses had been raised on these foundations received confirmation when faced stones cut diagonally at one end were found amongst the débris at the bottom of the slopes. It seemed certain that they must have been used in the construction of roofs. I also noticed that many of the mounds had slight depressions on the top ridge, either one in the centre or two or more at regular intervals. It occurred to me that these depressions might mark the position of doorways, and this was found to be the case, and proved to be a most useful guide when excavations were commenced.

Round three sides of the Great Plaza (Plate IV.)* the steps rising to the terraces are in a fairly good state of preservation. The large square mound on the first terrace to the west [No. 1]} has a distinct flight of steps, shown in the plan. ‘The top is flat and almost square, and there is no evidence that any stone building had ever been raised on it. Some previous visitor had dug into the foundation, but apparently discovered nothing of interest. A broken monolith (E) lies in front of this mound. The slopes and mound which rise still higher to the west of this are too much destroyed to be of any interest.

® The numeral in the sign Cah on the map and plans refers to the photographs, the direction of the extended arms giving the angle comprised in the view. + Numbers in square brackets refer to the red numerals on the large plan, Plate I.

20 COPAN.

On the terrace to the north of the Great Plaza is another square mound [ No. 2], which, as in the case of the last described, shows no trace of any stone building having been raised on it. Immediately to the west of this mound are the remains of a long single- chambered house. The group of buildings on the terrace to the east of the plaza show unmistakable signs of having been houses. The high foundation [No. 3] at the east end of this group would probably repay excavation ; the stairway on the south side of it can be clearly made out, and there are some roofing-stones lying at the foot of the slopes.

The mound [No. 4] standing by itself, in the centre of the Plaza, is one of considerable interest ; the outer casing of masonry is much broken up and has almost entirely dis- appeared, but the steps by which it was ascended are still traceable on the east side. The top rises almost to a point, and there is no sign of any building ever having stood on it. An excavation was made into the centre of this mound from the top, opening towards the south side. The upper part was composed of rough unworked blocks of stone and mud, with occasional layers of cement and sand; the lower two thirds of stone and mud only. The excavation was then continued below the level of the plain through about twelve feet of hard-rammed earth, free from stones, below which tlie natural soil appeared to have been undisturbed. In the centre of the mound, about six feet from the top, an earthern pot (Plate XXI.. a) was found containing a bead- shaped piece of greenstone, pierced, diameter two and three quarter inches (0), the jade whorl of a spindle (¢), the remains of a necklace of nine jade beads (d), four pearls (e), some small rough figures and other ornaments cut out of pearl oyster-shell (jf), and other irregular pieces of roughly carved pearl-shell (g). At the bottom of the pot was some red powder (which proved to be finely ground cinnabar), and several ounces of quicksilver. Eighteen inches above this pot some traces of bone were found mixed with sand. At the level of the ground, more traces of bones were found mixed with red cinnabar powder and sand, and one large pierced bead-shaped stone, diameter three inches (fh). About eight to nine feet below the level of the plain, a skeleton of a jaguar was found lying under a layer of charcoal. I was able to preserve some of the teeth and some part of the jaw as well as a few small pieces of the other bones by dropping them into glue. The teeth and part of the skeleton had been painted red. About 100 yards almost directly to the south of this mound I shortly afterwards opened another very much smaller and much more ruined mound [No. 5], and, under a thick layer of cement at the level of the ground, found a few small fragments of human bones, two small stone axes, and portions of another jaguar’s skeleton, and some dog’s teeth, showing that such an interment of animals was not a matter of chance.

On the west side of the southern portion of the Plaza is a long mound [| No. 6] which proved to be the remains of two long single-chambered houses, one having four and the other three doorways opening towards the Plaza. Excavations laid bare portions of the walls of the chambers and the commencement of the horizontal arch of the roof.

COPAN. 21

The width of these chambers did not exceed seven feet. The square mound [No.7] to the south of these houses does not appear to have supported any stone building, but there are traces of a low wall having enclosed the level space at the top. Near this wall were found some stones, shaped like skulls, and a stone serpent’s head. Close to this mound are the remains of two small houses, and another square mound [No. 8] the casing of which is almost entirely destroyed.

On the plain to the west are numerous foundations of small houses, but only those lying nearest to the principal structures are shown on the plan.

On the east side of the Plaza is a detached square mound [No. 9] which formed the foundation of a house or temple, and beyond it is another mound [No. 10] of the same character, from which a low terrace runs out towards the north and then turns at right angles to the west. The main group of terraces and buildings to the south is covered with a forest-growth well shown in Plate V.

To the south of the Great Plaza there rises a broad stairway, which as it ascends the slope divides into three separate flights of steps, each narrowing towards the top (Plate VI.,a). The space between the steps appeared to have been highly ornamented, and the carving (Plate IX., 6) had probably fallen from that position. The steps on the right and left lead to level terraces, and the centre flight must have led to the temple [No. 11] which stood at a still greater elevation. This building presented the appearance of a formless heap of stones, out of which a huge ceiba tree was growing (Plate VI.,6). Some portions of the chambers, which are shown in the accompanying Plan, were excavated. The porches on each side probably extended some distance

Pian oF No. 11.

4 in=25ft

beyond the line of the walls of the building. The roof and superstructure had entirely disappeared, but the inner wall was in places perfect up to the spring of the vault.

A step about eighteen inches high and eighteen feet long (A to B, see Plan), formed of two blocks of stone, projected in front of the inner doorway; the face of this step is ornamented with a number of figures seated cross-legged and covered with elaborate breastplates and other ornaments in sharp and well-preserved carving (Plate VIT., a, and

22 COPAN.

Plate VIII.). A carved ornament (Plate VII., a) made up of several stones let into the wall, rises from this step on each side of the doorway and reaches to the top of the wall. This carving is, I believe, meant to represent a huge serpent’s head without a lower jaw; but the design is executed in a conventional form, and its meaning can only be made out by comparison with many other sculptures of a similar kind.

The effect of this ornament must have been considerably marred by the continuation of the wall of the passage to the face of the step at E.

Above this curious ornament, and extending to a distance of seven feet on each side of the doorway (and probably continued over the doorway itself, although all trace of it has disappeared), ran an elaborate cornice, ornamented with seated human figures and hieroglyphs carved in medium relief (Plate VII., 4 and c). The height of the wall from the floor to the cornice is about nine feet. Ornaments similar to the serpent’s head already mentioned occur where a step descends into the southern porch at C to D; but in this case the face of the step is ornamented with a row of teeth, and it forms an under jaw common to the serpent’s head on each side. Unfortunately no copy of this design could be made, as the carved stones comprising it were so much broken and displaced by the pressure from above and the growth of the roots of trees that they fell to pieces as the excavation proceeded.

The interior walls of both the outer porches were ornamented with hieroglyphic and other carvings; but here also the stones were so much worn and displaced by the roots of trees that nothing could be preserved or copied.

The walls of the house are built of blocks of stone averaging in measurement 1 foot xX 1 foot x 6 inches.

The wall-surfaces retained traces of a coating of plaster which had probably been ornamentally coloured, and the floor was covered with several layers of cement.

On the south side of the temple the slope from the porch down to the level of an inner court, which may be called the Western Court, is so much broken up by roots of trees, and so thickly covered with fallen stones, that no trace of a stairway can be made out, although in all probability one formerly existed.

There is a distinct flight of steps [No. 12] from the terrace on the west of the temple leading down to the Western Court, the floor of which is about 30 feet above the level of the Great Plaza to the north.

An irregular square terrace [No. 13] projects into this court on the west side, and the remains of three stone houses overlook the downward slope to the west, and form the boundary of the court in that direction.

Standing in this court are a tall carved monolith (P) and a square stone altar (Q) which will be hereafter figured and described, and scattered around are numerous pieces of broken sculptured stones, which no doubt formed part of the exterior ornaments of the temples or of the slopes of the high foundations on which they stood.

COPAN. 23

The position of these fragments is shown in the portion of the general plan (Plate I.)

repeated below.

a, is a flat slab, now much broken, measuring 4 feet 7 inches X 3 feet 8 inches x1 foot; there are grooves cut in the edges, as if it had been fitted into a wall. On the surface is a carving, in medium relief, of a human figure sitting with legs crossed and clutching in its left hand an ornament, in which two small animals’ heads can be indistinctly made out, and holding it to its breast, whilst in the right hand is held an object similar to that shown in the hands of most of the figures in Plate VIII.

The figure is seated above two intertwined plumed serpents.

24 COPAN.

b, is the carving represented on Plate IX.,a@; the slab is made up of four pieces.

¢ and d, are somewhat similar slabs much broken and worn; the figures in each have offerings in their hands similar to that shown on Plate IX., a.

e, is a large alligator’s head measuring roughly 2 feet each way: the long tenon with which this carving had been fixed into the masonry is still attached to it.

f, isa human foot 2 feet long and 10 inches broad.

g, is a carved stone 4 feet in length, to which I am unable to attach any meaning.

h, is a broken column 4 feet high 1 foot 10 inches in diameter; it is broken in half, and has some indistinct carving on it.

i and J, are two flat stone slabs, each about the same size, 7 feet 6 inches x 4 feet 6 inches X 1 foot; both are broken, one has indistinct remains of hieroglyphic carving on the narrow sides and ends. Excavations have been made beneath each of these slabs at some former time.

k, is an oblong stone rather larger at the top than at the bottom, measuring 4 feet in length, 2 feet in height, and 2 feet 5 inches in breadth.

i, is a circular stone 2 feet 4 inches in diameter, 1 foot 6 inches in height, pierced through the centre by a hole 7 inches in diameter; it shows no trace of carving.

mand n, are similar stones, but they are not pierced.

o and p, are two stones, each 3 feet 5 inches long, rudely carved in the shape of alligators’ heads; they project from the corners of a heap of stones, the remains of some structure, and they now probably lie in their original position.

In addition to these carved stones described above there are several other fragments of sculpture, including one headless bust, one stone incense-burner in the shape of a erotesque head, and several stones carved into the shape of skulls.

At the south end of the Western Court is a detached mound [ No. 14] almost flat at the top. On digging into the north side of it a wall with a projecting coping was met with, with a shelf 1 foot 9 inches wide above it, surmounted by another wall 5 feet 6 inches high, reaching to the small square terrace on the top of the mound. ‘This terrace is reached by a stairway on the east side, and it does not appear to have supported any building ; but along its southern edge there lies a heap of stones, not large enough to be the

COPAN. 25

remains of a house, but possibly marking the site of some ornamental wall or row of seats. Where the walls first mentioned are broken away it can be seen that they are built of only one layer of faced stone backed up with rubble.

On the east side of the Western Court is a stairway [No. 15] with twenty steps leading to a raised terrace, on which stand the remains of several small houses; the steps are built of large blocks of stone averaging in measurement 6 feet x 1 foot 3 inches x1 foot 5 inches. To the south of this stairway rises the lofty pyramidal foundation of a small temple [No. 16].

The ascent to this temple from the Western Court is by a double stairway joining near the top. The space between the two flights of steps is built up with sculptured stones, the chief ornament being rows of what appear to be death’s-heads*. The step-like casing of masonry on this side is almost entirely hidden by the masses of stone and rubbish fallen from above. ‘The upper part of this hill had the appearance of a rounded heap of broken blocks of stone bound together by the roots of trees, and there seemed at first sight to be but little hope of finding traces of a temple or any other building. How- ever, by digging and clearing with care, a small chamber was laid bare on the west side (see Plan) with portions of the walls entire to the height of 6 feet, and on the north side a stairway Pian or No. 16. which must have led to an upper chamber, now alto-

8

ECTION THROUGH No. 14 sHoWING LINE OF EXCAVATION (SHADED PORTION).

gether destroyed. In clearing the lower chamber (Plate X., a) a cross-legged headless figure was found which had been thrown down from the raised bench at the east end, also a stone incense-burner which probably stood in front of it, and the remains of two pieces of rough pottery (Plate XXII., a, 6), which were probably used for burning offerings of incense. ‘Two of the ornaments which It have called serpents’-heads were built into the wall above the raised bench, and a number of small human and grotesque heads formed the ornaments of a cornice round the wall about 7 feet above the cement floor. A view of this foundation from the north-east is given on Plate X., d.

All traces of the front wall and doorway have been lost.

Descending the steps again into the Western Court, and turning to the left, there is

* Stephens notes that these death’s-heads are more like the skulls of monkeys than of men. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., December 1888. é

26 COPAN.

a narrow opening (~) between the south side of the foundation of the building last described and a row of much ruined houses. ‘To the south of this line of houses two slopes, with a broad terrace between, descend to the level of the plain; beyond this again are numerous remains of smaller buildings, hidden in the thick scrub, which do not need especial notice.

Towards the east end of the space between the row of ruined houses and the pyramidal foundation a second narrow opening (~) gives access to a passage leading to an inner court, which may be called the Eastern Court. On the east side of this passage is a terrace [No. 17], which is reached by a flight of steps in the centre of the slope, and was found to be strewn with broken pieces of sculptured stone. At the south end of the terrace is a raised foundation [No. 18] which once supported a stone-roofed structure. At the east side a few steps lead up to the broken masonry at the top of the river-wall. ‘This line of tumbled stones [No. 19] I examined with great care, and was successful in making out that it was the remains of a row of houses which had extended nearly the whole length of the terrace, the greater part of which had fallen away into the river below. At the north end of this row of houses there stands, facing the Eastern Court, another raised foundation [No. 20] which supported the most curious building the excavations brought to light—no doubt the same building which Palacio describes as a tower. Such a mass of stone had fallen down into the court below that the stone slope and steps leading up to the building were completely hidden. On the side towards the river traces of a wall were found almost overhanging the cliff, which here measures 107 feet in height from the level of the river. It is necessary to turn to the detail Plan and Section to form an idea of this curious building.

Puan AND Section oF No. 20.

ie A 4A aT] Cit ah bm bd >

‘The central doorway is approached from the Eastern Court by a flight of steps; on each side of the doorway a platform or terrace 9 feet wide runs in front of the building ; 7 or 8 feet inside the doorway another flight of steps commences and runs through to the back wall of the building, rising about 14 feet. At the distance of 4 feet 9 inches from the back wall other steps turn to the north, and lead up to a narrow landing which gives

COPAN. OT

access to what seems to have been an upper chamber (A); only a small portion of the surface of the wall and the cement of the floor of this chamber can now be traced. The stairways were covered by parallel laid stone vaults—the spring of the vault is seen in the Section and Plate XI.,@. The most curious feature of this building is the existence of chambers which have been purposely blocked up before the ruin commenced. These are shaded in the Plan and Section. I cleared out the rough blocks of stone and earth which filled up the lower chamber on the south side of the steps and found the walls and cement floor almost perfect. The front wall was pierced 3 feet above the floor by two narrow slits 6 inches wide, which appeared to extend to the top of the wall, in which were found some fragments of rough pottery. It did not appear as if this chamber had ever been roofed in. I did not remove the stones at the opening towards the stairway, as these had been built up into a faced wall, and still supported some of the roof-stones of the ruined vault over the steps. Iu the same way the steps leading to the upper chamber (D) had been blocked up and the faced wall used as a support for the vaulting. These more recently built walls and the spring of the vaults are lightly shaded in the section. The only suggestion I can offer in explanation of this state of things is that the builders were not satisfied with the stability of the parallel- laid vaulting over such a large space, and had sacrificed the chambers in order to strengthen the roof over the stairway.

Projecting from the wall on each side of the steps, in the position marked xX in the plan, were two grotesquely carved heads, which probably supported a rope from which a curtain was suspended. A photograph of the best preserved of these heads is given on Plate XI., 6.

A large mass of broken sculptured stones lying near to or buried in the rubbish surrounding this building shows how elaborate its exterior ornamentation must have been. Amongst these remains are portions of a great human figure, which was probably seated cross-legged over the doorway; the head of this figure is shown in late Oxelese3

Facing the north end of this building is another raised foundation [No. 21], which must also have supported a stone-roofed structure. ‘The flight of steps leading up from the south side to the doorway in the centre can still be seen. Unfortunately, I had not sufficient time to excavate and examine this building.

To the west of this foundation, on the north side of the Kastern Court, is another building [No. 22], of which a Plan is given on the next page. A very well-laid flight of steps, formed of large blocks of stone, leads to a platform in front of the centre doorway. This platform runs along the front of the building, and, at each end of the temple, is carried out at right angles as far as the line of the commencement of the steps. Two large grotesque faces and some handsome carved wing-stones extend across this platform to the head of the steps on either side of the doorway. The door- way itself is 9 feet wide and was probably covered with a vaulted roof. In front of the

e2

ss vn Aa

[BUREAU oF AMERICAN ETHNOL@GY:

| LIBRARY

28 COPAN.

doorway leading to the inner chamber is a step (A—B) 2 feet high and 15 feet long, carved onits face with hieroglyphs and skulls (Plate XVI.). At each end of this step is a human figure seated on

a huge skull (Plates XIL., Puan or No, 22. XIII, XIV., and XV.), sup- ee ae porting in its hand the head of a dragon, whose body is turned upwards and is lost amongst the scroll-work and figures of a cornice which runs over the doorway. About 4 feet above the floor in each / of the two positions marked on xX a stone in the masonry of the wall is pierced by a hole through which a rope could be passed, and holes may also be noticed above the hieroglyphs on the step, which were probably needed for the support of curtains. How the roof of the passage between one chamber and the other was supported is a mystery. It was covered by anumber of blocks of stone, and not by a single stone slab; and yet these blocks are square at their edges, and could not have formed part of a true nor of a parallel laid arch. Possibly wooden jambs and architraves supported these blocks of stone; but if so, all trace of them has disappeared. Plate XII. is a sketch of this doorway, most care- fully restored, from photographs and measurements taken during the progress of the excavation (Plate XIII., a), as well as after the excavation was finished. There

tan

lines ee en

are in this design good examples of two marked characteristics of American sculpture, namely, the inability of the artist to leave plain surfaces alone, and the love of intro- ducing grotesque faces, or scroll-work derived from them, into the ornamentation of

COPAN. 29

details. The examples in this design are, turning the backs of the seated figures into huge grotesque faces and ornamenting the tongue of the dragon to the west of the doorway with scrolls derived from the eye, nostrils, and teeth, which are peculiarly characteristic of the frequently-occurring dragon or serpent. This last may at first sight appear to be a fanciful suggestion, but it will be clearly appreciated when hereafter the serpent symbol is more fully examined and described.

The floor and walls of the outer chamber, as well as the surface of the steps and terrace outside the house, bear traces of a coating of several layers of plaster, each layer differently coloured, showing that the plaster had been frequently renewed, and this plaster coating appears also to have extended over the carved surface.

The inner chamber is without ornament. Two stone incense-burners shaped into erotesque heads and some patches of charcoal were found above the cement floor. The back wall of the house was only just traceable. The outer surface of the front wall facing the Eastern Court had almost disappeared; but that it must once have been elaborately ornamented is proved by the number of headless busts and other fragments of sculptured stone lying near it in all directions.

On the outside wall of the building at the south-west corner are the remains of a huge grotesque face made up of several stones (Plate XVII.,¢), much the same in design as the faces which form the principal decoration of some of the buildings in Yucatan. However, the trunk-like nose, which has there so greatly exercised the speculative powers of travellers, if it existed here, cannot now be traced. I opened a passage (+) about 4 feet wide between the west end of this house and another much ruined building, and on this west wall I was able to see some of the ornament, if not exactly in position at least giving evidence whence it had fallen.

Three female figures, standing out in full relief from the waist upwards (Plate XVIL., a and 6), with the left arm held across the body and the right hand extended in front, palm outwards, as if about to clap hands when in the act of singing, had been ranged along the upper part of this wall; and broken pieces of similar figures, found in other places, lead me to suppose that this decoration was continued all round the temple.

Almost in the centre of the Eastern Court I turned over a large flat slab of stone which bore traces of sculpture on the upper surface, and dug beneath it to the depth of 12 feet without finding anything worth notice. Many other fragments of sculptured stone are lying in this court, some of which are shown on Plate XIX. On the west side of the court are two flights of steps; those at the south-west corner [No. 23] are quite plain, but the centre stairway [No. 24] is ornamented on each side with large figures of rampant jaguars (Plate XVIII., 6 and c) carved out of several blocks of stone, which are built into the slope; and at the top of the stairway is a huge human head issuing from the jaws of an animal (Plate XVIII., a). These carvings are marked red in Plate I.

On the level terrace above this stairway is an oblong space [ No. 25] marked out by a border of stones, but there is no indication of any building having stood on it. Turning

30 COPAN.

to the north along this terrace, and leaving the ruins of some small houses on the right, there remains now to be described the high foundation [No, 26] which projects furthest in this direction. A few steps, shown on the plan, lead from the terrace to the top of the foundation. Here I commenced to dig, in hope of finding at least portions of the walls of a building, but met with no success. That a building must once have stood here is almost certain, as several roof-stones were found lying on the slopes. This foundation was ascended from the south-eastern corner of the Great Plaza by a broad stairway [No. 27], and although many of the stones forming the steps are now displaced, and the carving much worn, yet enough is still left to show the excellence both of the design and workmanship. Each step was carved along its face with a line of hiero- elyphs*, and the stonework at the edge of the stairway was covered with elaborate and curious ornament. This stairway could be traced up the slope for a distance of 45 feet. I again commenced to dig just above the spot where the top step appeared to have rested, and, after digging in at that level for 17 feet, through closely packed large rough blocks of stone and earth, came to a perpendicular wall. It was necessary to dig down some distance to reach the bottom of this wall, which was found to rest on a

SCALE OF FEET

cement floor which ran outwards towards the steps. The wall is 7 feet high and without any coping or cornice, but it is covered at the top with a layer of cement 6 inches thick, which runs back for 6 feet, and forms a floor for another wall 7 feet high; this wall, again, has a similar cement platform at the top, which apparently runs in for 12 feet to meet another wall 10 feet high; above this nothing at all oould be made

* See illustrations on pages 16 and 32.

COPAN. 31

out. I broke through one of the walls and removed a few of the faced stones, and found nothing but closely-packed rubble behind it. My impression is that these walls were built up merely to give strength to the foundation and guard against landslips, and not to enclose any central chamber.

It is probably this method of building up walls of faced stone inside the foundations which has led to the belief that what has been called the great river-wall was the original wall of this group of buildings, and was possibly intended for defence. The destructive force of the river, which has washed away so much of the foundations on the east side, has been somewhat checked on meeting these faced walls, and at the present time the exposed surface of the cliff (Plate XX. and Plate III., 6), if I may so call it, shows several patches of faced stone wall; one of them, nearly halfway up the cliff from the level of the river, is about 60 to 70 feet in length and over 10 feet in height. Careful examination shows that the edges of these patches pass in some places under portions of the rubble of stone and mud of which all these foundations and raised terraces are built up.

Palacio in his description mentions the ‘ two caves or passages’ the openings of which can be seen on the face of the river-wall, and which have given to the ruins the name of ‘ Las Ventanas,’ or ‘the Windows.’ The position of one of these passages is marked on the plan with a dotted red line [28-28]. ‘The floor of the passage is level, and the interior is faced with stone, and is just large enough for a man to crawl through. The top of the passage is a little below the level of the court; it was closed on the land side, and I think not intended again to be opened. A deep pit was dug here* by Colonel Galindo f, shown in the plan, which now gives access to the passage.

A. few feet from the end of this passage, but at a greater depth below the level of the court, is the subterranean vault outlined in red in the plan, which was broken into by Colonel Galindo. The vault and passage do not seem to have had any connection with one another. The following is Galindo’s description of his discovery :—

“Through a gallery scarcely 4 feet high and 2} feet broad { one can crawl from this square through a more elevated part of the temple overhanging the river, and have from the face of the precipice an interesting view. Among many excavations, I made one at the point where this gallery comes out into the square. I first opened into the entrance of the gallery itself, and digging lower down I broke into a sepulchral vault whose floor is 12 feet below the level of the square. It is more than 6 feet high, and 10 feet long, and 5} feet broad, and lies due north and south, according to the compass.

* Stephens was wrong in saying this pit is faced with stone.

+ Letter (dated Copan, 19th June, 1834) from Colonel Juan Galindo to the editor of the ‘ Literary Gazette ’ of London, printed in ‘Literary Gazette’ for 1835, pp. 456, 457. A similar letter printed in the ‘ Transac-

tions of American Antiq. Society,’ vol. vi. pp. 545-550. + Stephens says 1 foot 11 inches at the bottom and 1 foot at the top, and in this

form :— I unfortunately overlooked the measurement, but think Stephens nearer the mark,

as there is only just room to crawl through, and it is impossible to turn round in it.

52 COPAN.

It has two niches on each side, and both these and the floor of the vault were full of red earthenware dishes and pots. I found more than fifty, many of them full of human bones packed in lime; also several sharp-edged and pointed knives of chaya (a brittle stone called ztzt/i* by the Mexicans), and a small head, apparently resembling death, its eyes being nearly closed and its lower features distorted. ‘The back of the head is symmetrically perforated by holes; the whole is of most exquisite workmanship, and cut out or cast from a fine greenstone, as are also two heads I found in the vault, with quantities of oyster- and periwinkle-shells brought from the sea-shore in fulfilment of some superstition. ‘There were also stalactites taken from some caves. All the bottom of the vault was strewn with fragments of bones, and underneath these a coat of lime on a solid floor.” :

There is another similar passage lower down the cliff and further to the north. We made a ladder and succeeded in entering this passage and crawling to the further end, which we found closed with a stone wall. It is about the same length as the first passage described.

There are two other passages of the same kind near the top of the cliff which I was not able to get at, and they looked too small to crawl into. At some former time an excavation had been made to reach them from above, but the stones had fallen in again, and it did not seem as if any chamber was discovered.

In two of the detached mounds, one on the south and one on the north side of the principal structures, I found small vaults which had probably been used for burial purposes, but was not fortunate enough to come upon any which had not previously been opened. At the foot of one of the stone monoliths (H) in the Great Plaza we dug up a number of stone beads and other objects (Plate XXII., d), which were lying only a few inches underground; and a small stone ornament with a human face carved on it (e), something like the one found by Colonel Galindo, and several frag- ments of similar ornaments (¢ and f'). Single stone beads and flakes and chips of obsidian were from time to time picked up during the excavations.

* IJtztlixobsidian.

Parr oF THF Face oF 4 Step From THE Hisroeiypuic Stairway. (No. 27, Prats I.)

(Se) (30)

COPAN.

Srorp Mask From Mexico, now rv THz Bririsn Musrvum.

DESCRIPTION OF STELA AND ALTARS.

The monolithic monuments at Copan are cut from a somewhat decomposed trachyte rock ; for convenience of description they may be divided into Stel and Altars.

On the front of each Stela, and in some cases on both front and back, is a representation of an elaborately decorated human figure. On the back (when it is not occupied by a figure), and in some instances on both back and sides, is a hieroglyphic inscription. ‘The design is sometimes completed by the addition of scroll-work derived from the form of the feathered serpent to which is added a number of small human and grotesque figures.

The ornamentation throughout the sculptures is no doubt to a great extent symbo- lical, and in the decoration of the Stele more attention appears to have been given to the display of such ornamentation than to securing correct proportion in the represen-

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., November 1890. WP

34 COPAN.

tation of the principal figure; but that the errors in proportion did not arise from the want of knowledge is clearly shown by the far superior treatment of some of the smaller figures on the same monuments.

Almost the whole of the ornamental carving decorating the Stele at Copan is derived from the following subjects:—The feathered serpent, grotesque human and animal figures and masks, feathers and feather-work, fish, bands and plaits made of some pliable material such as leather or bark-cloth, and loops and ties made from a softer material. Geometrical patterns, except such as are formed by the folds and plaits of a material with straight parallel edges, are not to be found (unless circles and dots can be so considered). Foliations and other vegetable forms are (with possibly one exception) entirely absent from the designs.

The dress and ornaments of the human figures represented on the Stele, although affording infinite variety in detail, are not only similar in general design on all the monu- ments at Copan, but on all monuments of the same class throughout Central America.

Until the inscriptions are deciphered there is little to help us in determining whether the figures on the Stel are intended to be portraits of chieftains or priests in ceremonial costume, or whether they are fanciful representations of heroes or deities. The strong individuality of many of the figures gives force to the former view; but, on the other hand, there are two of the figures which cannot be included in the category of monumental portraits, as their faces are covered by grotesque masks. The great exaggeration of the personal adornments would be more likely to occur in imaginative figures than in portraits; but a possible explanation of these exaggerations may be learned from some of the sculptures themselves. The carving ona wooden lintel taken from a temple at Tikal (part of which is figured on Plate XXIII.) represents a central human figure standing under the arched body of a great feathered serpent, on a sort of stepped platform which rests on a framework of poles. This suggests the probability that images made from some lighter material than stone may have been kept in the temples, and used on the occasion of religious processions. And it may be that the exaggerated adornments of the figures on the Stele were copied from the elaborate ornaments with which in all countries and in all ages it has been customary to adorn such processional figures.

There is not at Copan any certain evidence of the use of textile fabrics, but it is probable that the waist-cloths and turban-like head-dresses of some of the figures were made from woven material.

Considerable difficulty is met with in attempting to trace the development of the designs used in the ornamentation: firstly, because, with the exception of feathers and the skins of jaguars, we are not certain of the kind of material from which the ornaments and dress were originally made, and can form no idea of how far the design may have been iniluenced by the nature of the material worked in; and, secondly, because the original designs may have been considerably modified when transferred to stone by workmen who had probably no better tools than chips and flakes of obsidian.

COPAN., ; 30

Of all the subjects from which decorative design is derived, the feathered serpent is by far the most important, and before commencing a detailed description of the monuments it is thought advisable to give a few examples (Plates XXIII. and XXIV.) of the many varieties of ornament derived from the serpent’s head and the scroll-work attached to it. There are, so far as I have observed, no really natural representations of a serpent to be found in the Central-American sculptures. Serpent-worship had probably long antedated the development of Central-American art into the condition in which any examples of it remain to us, and the serpents of the sculptures have already passed through a stage of exaggeration and conventionalism. Small heads of snakes drawn naturally may, however, be seen throughout the period of the greatest exaggeration attached as ornaments to the ends of strings or narrow bands, such as the thongs of a sandal, or the bands of the breastplates in Plate VIII. ; but in this particular case the rattles of the tail are drawn asa conventional ornament at the sides of the breastplate.

Stony Mask rrom Mexico, ow 1x rHE Bririsu Musnum.

36 ' COPAN.

Srera A. (Plates XXV. to XXX., see also Plate IV., a and 0.) [Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. p. 168.]

Height 11 feet 6 inches. Average breadth 3 feet *.

This monument (A, Plate I.) stands in the Great Plaza on the north side of the detached mound (No. 4, Plate I.) and faces the east. As is usually the case, the base of the monument has been surrounded by four large blocks of stone, now somewhat broken and displaced. A portion of the sculpture on the lower part of the monument has been damaged by fire, and the surface of the stone has flaked off, but the rest of the carving, although considerably weatherworn, is in a fair state of preservation.

The want of proper proportion in the representation of the human body is con- spicuous in the principal figure carved on the front of this Stela. The body is far too short for the size of the head and limbs. The face is beardless; the mouth slightly open, showing the teeth. The nose is broken, but was probably prominent and aqui- line. The hair is pushed off the forehead, and is hanging down in straight lines on either side of the face. The forehead is receding, and there can be no doubt that it was the custom of the people to compress the bones of the skull in infancy. The lobe only of the ear is shown; unfortunately the ornament which passed through the centre of it is broken off, but it was in all probability either a round disc or was similar in design to that shown in profile in the second part of Glyph 21 on Plate XXX. The absence of the shell of the ear in all designs of this class is at first somewhat perplexing, but a reference to the Mexican mask figured in the text (pp. 33 and 35) shows how the shell of the ear, as less susceptible to ornamentation, may have dropped by degrees out of the design, and how the enlarged lobe with its central ornaments and pendants may have become the conventional method of expressing the whole feature. ‘he hands are held up over the breastplate, and the feet are turned outwards almost in a straight line heel to heel. This conventional attitude is preserved throughout all the monuments of this class at Copan.

The following detailed description of the ornamentation of this Stela is given in terms which would be naturally used in describing dress and personal ornaments them- selves and not stone representations of them :—

The head-dress is composed of folds or plaited strips of some stiff material, which has already been mentioned as of frequent occurrence, and which can be easily recog- nized. At the four corners of the head-dress, apparently attached to the ends of the plaited strips, are serpents’ heads without lower jaws.

A short close-fitting cape covers the shoulders and chest. This cape is made of square or oblong flattened plates, with a row of rounded plates or beads along the

* The base of each Stela is buried to an unknown depth in the ground; the height given is that of the sculptured surface above ground.

COPAN.

q

oo

upper edge and a fringe of feathers or some other material along the lower edge. A small portion only of this cape is visible ; it is, however, more clearly shown on some of the other monuments. Over the chest lies what I propose to call the breastplate, probably supported by a string of beads which passed round the back of the neck.

The oblong panel of the breastplate is ornamented with a plait, and at each end of the panel is attached an elongated serpent’s head, from the open mouth of which issues the head and shoulders of a grotesque human figure. (Compare 0 and ¢, Plate XXIV.) This figure has an oval mark on its forehead, which is surmounted by a tall cap or head-dress. (This oval mark is to be found on the foreheads of almost all the grotesque heads and masks.) A necklace of beads hangs round the neck of the figure, and part of another string of beads is visible, which probably hung down the back. The left hand and part of the bracelet on the wrist can be seen above the lower jaw of the serpent.

On the wrists of the principal figure are bracelets in the form of a grotesque head without a lower jaw, surmounted by three knotted bands.

Round the waist is a girdle consisting of a broad band divided into panels, each panel decorated with a different design. The designs in these panels are doubtless symbolical ; they occur in certain positions throughout the sculptured work, and also in the few Maya MSS. which have been preserved, and promise to be an interesting subject for special study.

Hanging from the bottom of the girdle is a heavy fringe of tassels, each tassel formed from a roll of some pliable material with a thong passed through the upper end. In the middle of the girdle, and at the sides over each hip, is a human head. Above each of these heads lies a looped tie, and heavier folds or tassels fall behind the large ears, which have ear-pendants attached to them. Under the chin is a_ stiff plait (apparently made of the same material as the plaited head-dress of the principal figure), and from the under surface and ends of this plait appear the loose ends and loops of a softer material ; beneath these, again, are three heavy folded tassels, each tassel with an oval mark on it. The frequent use of human and grotesque heads and masks on the girdles and garters &c. may account for the great number of stone and earthenware heads to be seen in every museum of American antiquities. A head said to have come from Copan, and now in the British Museum, is figured on pages 44 and 47. It is cut from jadeite, and has holes pierced at the sides for attachment, and was quite possibly used for the ornament of a girdle. There is an inscription, now much worn, cut on the back of it, which is figured on Plate XXXII.

Attached to the girdle, and hanging over it in the same manner as the faces last described, and lying between them, are two bands which reach almost to the knees: each is ornamented with a grotesque head without a lower jaw, hanging forehead downwards, of somewhat the same type as the grotesque heads on the bracelets, and decorated in the same manner with three knotted bands, with the addition in this case of loose ends hanging downwards. ‘Two circles and a bell-shaped mark, probably

38 COPAN.

representing beads, lie over the bottom of the hanging band, which has a hatched mark on the extreme end.

From the centre of the girdle hangs what it will be convenient to call an apron. The middle of this apron is, in this instance, ornamented with circles, bars, and dots ; it is more usually decorated with a grotesque face or mask. The ornament of the sides of the apron, which is shaded in the Plate, is derived from the plumed serpent’s head, as can be seen in the series of drawings on Plate XXIV., fj. The lower part of the apron is ornamented with circles and dots, and terminates in a winged scroll or loop.

Broad bands or garters of beads and tassels are fastened round the legs below the knees, and have a central ornament lying just below the knee-cap in the shape of a erotesque head with a fringe of tassels in place of a lower jaw. ~ It will be as well to guote here part of a description of the dress of the Indians in the North of Yucatan, written at the orders of the Cabildo of Valladolid in the year 1579 * by acommittee of the earliest Spanish settlers in that part of the country :—

“The Indians of the province of Chiquinchal &c. are clad in ‘ xicoles’ of cotton and feathers, woven like a two-sleeved jacket of many colours. They wear between their legs a ‘mastil,’ which is a long piece of woven stuff; this is tied over the stomach and, taking a turn below, clothes them decently. Two long ends with many feathers on them hang down before and behind. ..... . Many of the men go naked except their ¢ mastiles.’”

What I have called the girdle and apron is undoubtedly the ornamented loin-cloth or “mastil” of the Indians of Yucatan; but it will be convenient to retain the terms girdle and apron in describing the decoration.

The ornament of the anklets and sandals is similar to that of the bracelets, but the three knotted bands are prolonged into thongs which pass between the toes and fasten into the soles of the sandals.

Above the plaited head-dress of the principal figure, and perhaps attached to it, is a grotesque face or mask with a winged scroll rising from the top of it. On each side of the plaited head-dress is a grotesque-headed human figure in a crouching attitude, with its feet resting on one of the serpent’s heads attached to the ends of the plait. The head of this figure is surmounted by a grotesque mask. <A cord round the neck supports a breastplate, and on the wrists and ankles are bracelets and anklets, and the end of a loin-cloth can be seen passing over the thigh and hanging down. This figure is holding against its breast, with both hands, the body of a serpent, whose open- mouthed head occupies the upper corners of the design. Something to which no name or meaning can yet be attached is issuing from the serpent’s open jaws. ‘The tail of the serpent hangs down and ends in a winged scroll.

Behind these figures is a graceful arrangement of feathers, which were probably attached to the back of the head-dress.

From behind the elbows of the principal figure appears part of an ornament, con-

* ¢ Relacion de la Villa de Valladolid de Yucatan.’ Imprenta de Fortanet, Madrid, 1884.

COPAN. 39

sisting of triple ties or bows and crossed bands forming a diamond-shaped pattern, and in the middle what may be called a tasselled shield. This succession of ornaments ends in a serpent’s head, with the shoulders and head of a grotesque figure surmounted by an equally uncouth mask issuing from its open mouth. The whole of this ornamental band probably hung suspended from the shoulders of the principal figure.

Plates XX VII. to X XIX. are views of the sides and back of the monument, and Plate XXX. is the drawing, made from a plaster cast, of the hieroglyphic inscription on the back and sides of the monument. The inscription commences on the north side; is then, I think, continued on the back or west side, and ends on the south side. This order has been followed in numbering the glyphs, but until the study of the hieroglyphic inscriptions is further advanced, the sequence cannot be insisted on.

In front of Stela A, at the distance of a few feet, the remains of a monolithic altar can be traced.

It is not intended at present to enter into any critical examination of the glyphs; but there are some points of interest to which brief notice may be given.

With regard to the order in which the hieroglyphics should be read, Professor Cyrus ‘Thomas * has shown, from an examination of the Palenque Tablets, that when a single column only of glyphs is met with, it should be read from the top to bottom, and that when there is an even number of columns, the glyphs are to be read in double columns from top to bottom, and from left to right. I myself came to the same conclusion from an entirely independent examination of inscriptions from Quirigua and Copan, and this order is adopted in numbering the glyphs on the following Plates.

Professor Thomas, in writing about the Maya MSS., also points out :—‘“It is now generally conceded by all who have studied the hieroglyphics that the Maya method of designating numbers was by the use of lines and dots; thus, one dot signifying 1, two cots 2, and so on up to 4, that five was represented by a single short straight line, ten by two lines, and so on. According to this system, a straight line and a dot, thus! ee ould signify 6; two straight lines and two dots, thus ——- would stand for 12.”

There is no reason to suppose that any different system of notation is employed on the sculptured monuments; it was not, however, usual to leave blank spaces when carving the numerals 1, 2, 6,7, 11, 12, 16,17 in stone, but to fill up the space DUIS HOE) — ibe OO. oA QAOM . 6; OHO = 7 ke,

It will be found that many inscriptions are preceded by what I propose to call

* A Study of the Manuscript Troano by Cyrus Thomas. Contributions to N. American Ethnology, vol. y. Washington Govt. Printing Office, 1882.

40 COPAN.

a “heading,” similar in general character to the heading of the inscription on Plate XXX.

This heading is very frequently followed by what I propose to call the ‘ Initial Series” of glyphs *. There are two principal forms in which this initial series occurs. One is a series of six glyphs, each glyph composed of two characters—usually two heads, without any numerals attached to them; the other is a series of six characters occupying six or a less number of glyphs, each character having a numeral attached to it. Each character in the single series is usually identical with one of the characters from the glyph in the corresponding position in the double or two-character series.

In some cases there is a mixture of the two series.

The initial series is to be found in inscriptions throughout Central America. At Copan, however, the single series only is well represented. It is thought that it will add interest to this part of the publication to give a table of the series (Plate XXXL.) as it occurs in nine of the inscriptions at Copan.

Where in any of these inscriptions the initial series has been compressed into less than six glyphs, the characters have been separated on Plate XXXI., and are placed one below the other; the correct sequence, of course, being retained.

The characters most easily distinguished are those occupying the positions of Numbers 4 and 6 of the series. Number 4 is a grotesque animal’s head in profile, with a very clearly marked scroll at the corner of the mouth, and Number 6 a car- touche containing usually, but not always, a human head in profile.

In some cases where an unexpected character occurs in the single series, as in Numbers 2 & 5, Stela M, Plate XX XI., these characters are also found to occur as the second characters of the glyph in the same position in the double series: the examples quoted above being found in the inscription on the well-known ‘Tablet of the Cross at Palenque.

Until the whole body of inscriptions is carefully collated, it is impossible to say how far the slighter variations which are to be found in the series are due to artistic latitude allowed to the sculptor or to intentional difference in the matter recorded.

The number attached to the first glyph of the initial series will be found to be almost invariably the number nine.

The highest number expressed by the system of notation already described is nineteen, represented by three bars and four dots (Stela A3, Plate XXXI.), and nothing is known for certain of the notation for the expression of any higher number. I am, however, strongly inclined to believe that the sign given in fig. a (p. 41), which occurs in com- bination in Glyphs Numbers 3, 15, & 35 of Plate XXX., and again in an exceptional form in Number 90, stands for the numeral 20.

* The word “glyph” is employed to denote each separate square or group of characters, and may contain one or more characters, as each character may be made up of one or more signs.

COPAN. 4]

This explanation first suggested itself to me on noticing the position this sign occupies in the initial series, occurring as it does in seven of the initial series on Plate XXXI., where it would be natural to expect a numeral,

I had also noticed that the character shown in fig. 6, frequently occurred with a double set of numerals attached to it (as in fig. ¢), and a more careful examination of all the inscriptions within my knowledge showed that when this character is not accompanied by two sets of numerals, the sign which I suppose to represent 20 is given in place of one set of numerals, as in figs. d and é, or more rarely both sets of numerals are replaced by the supposed sign for 20, as in fig. f.

It may be added that there are only two isolated instances of a double 000 set of numerals being attached to any other character than that shown in fig. d. .

We thus find that the sign which I suppose to represent the number ] a. twenty occurs both in the initial series and in other parts of many inscriptions in positions where it is probable that a numeral would be found.

There is another character which sometimes occurs in what otherwise might be considered as a single-charactered initial series; and it is possible that this character also, which is made up of three signs, and can be seen in Plate XXXI. Stela I, 5, also represents a number; but further consideration of its import must be postponed until the inscrip- tions from Quirigua are figured, where it is of more frequent occur- rence.

A study of Plate XX XI. shows other exceptions to what has been given roughly as the rule with regard to the initial series ; but it must be borne in mind that the object of these remarks is merely to point out the most promising lines of investigation, and that any statements now made must be considered as purely tentative.

There is, however, another point to be noticed, in regard to the sign which I suppose to represent the number twenty. It is known that there are twenty days both in the Maya and Mexican months, and on Plate XXXII. are figured reduced copies of what Professor Cyrus Thomas has shown to be two calendars. ‘The Maya calendar occurs in the MS. known as the Codex Cortesianus, and the Mexican calendar is taken from plate 44 of the Fejervary Codex. Below these are figured two schemes, with numbers in place of the day characters, drawn up by Professor Thomas when working out the calendar systems, and without any reference whatever to the matter now under consideration; but it will be seen that

the arrangement of the calendar is in exactly the same shape as the sign which I suppose to be the numeral twenty.

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., November 1890.

g

42 COPAN.

If I am right in my suggestion the likeness in the arrangement of the calendar to the numeral twenty would suggest a numeration in scores, which is in accordance with what is stated by the early Spanish writers *.

In a northerly direction (between A and B, Plate I.) lies another Stela, broken off just above the feet of the principal figure which faces the east. The feet and sandals are well carved and in fair preservation, but the remainder of the monument has suffered much from fire and was not worth copying.

Near to this fallen monument is an altar figured in Stephens’s ‘ Central America’ (vol. i. p. 157), and which can be seen in the distance in Plate XXIX. A twisted rope ornament encircles it, and curved grooves are cut on the top and sides.

SreLa B. (Plates XX XIII. to XXXIX., see also a and 4, Plate IV.) [Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. p. 156.]

Approximate height 11 feet 9 inches. Average breadth 3 feet 6 inches.

This monument (B, Plate I.) stands almost in the centre of the northern half of the Great Plaza, and faces the east. ‘The lower portion of the carving has been destroyed by fire, and the whole of the front of the monument which is carved in high relief has suffered considerable damage.

The principal figure on the front of this Stela has much the appearance of a Chinaman. The face is bearded and has what appears to be a moustache joined into a curious ornament which hangs over the centre of the breastplate. The ears are furnished with pendants as well as with the usual ornaments through the centre of the lobe. The panel of the breastplate is ornamented with two of the symbols usually found on the girdle. On the apron is an exaggerated face without a lower jaw, which takes the place of the circles and bars found on Stela A. (Compare Plate XXIV., f.)

The head-dress bears a strong resemblance to a turban; lying over it are some feathers and scroll-work, of which the attachments cannot properly be made out.

Above the turban is a complicated ornament made up of two small human figures seated on the front of a grotesque face without a lower jaw. ‘This face is shown amongst a series of such faces on Plate XXIV., m. The great curved teeth are, how- ever, common to this head, and to the heads which bear some resemblance to those of elephants occupying the top corners of the Stela.

* ‘El modo de contar de los Indios es de cinco en cinco, y de quatro cincos hazen veinte.’ Landa, Relacion.

COPAN. 45

The elephant-like appearance of these heads has been the subject of much discussion, but I fail to see any reason why the form may not have been taken from the head of the tapi, an animal still commonly found in the neighbourhood. The exaggeration in the length of the nose or trunk is too common a feature in almost all the numerous grotesque heads found on these sculptures to call for any special comment in this case.

On the upper part of the trunk orifices having the appearance of nostrils are clearly defined, and there are some cross-hatched marks on the lower part of the trunk. The eyes are almost surrounded by what appear to be scales. On the North side (Plates XXXVI. A and XXXVII. A) the scroll-work usually attached to the serpent’s head is seen rising from the top of the ear, which is also furnished with a pendent ornament.

Above both these trunked heads has probably been seated a small human figure, but that on the South side only (Plates XXXVI. Band XXXVII. B) now remains. Each of these figures carried in his hand a peculiar baton or sceptre with a grotesque head on the top of it. This baton is seen on the side A, almost covering the eye of the trunked head.

The grotesque head on the baton in A has a winged scroll arising from its forehead and another from the top of its head. In B it is difficult to determine whether the scroll which appears to rise from the head really belongs to it or whether it is attached to the ear of the large trunked head.

Down each side of the Stela, below the large trunked head, are three other heads (tinted in alternate colours on Plate XX XVII.) with trunks less developed and with eyes of another shape, and with large teeth curved in the opposite direction to those of the upper heads. In the lowest of these heads only is the lower jaw shown. All three heads on each side have the conventional ear with the serpent scroll rising from the top of it, and also an ear-pendant with a small face on it.

From under the eyelid of the uppermost of these three heads hangs a band, to which is attached a grotesque head with a serpent scroll, hanging forehead downwards. From the back of this head a band passes over the shoulders of a small human figure, which is seated immediately above the prolonged teeth of the serpent’s head attached to the breastplate of the principal figure on the front of the Stela. Only one of these small human figures can now be seen; but it is probable that a similar figure has been broken off the north side of the monument, and it has been restored in the drawing in order to keep the balance of the design.

Another small figure was seated on the trunk of each of the lowest of the three large heads, and can be seen in both front and side views.

The back of this Stela is decorated with a huge grotesque face which is shown in Plate XXIV., n. ‘The figure seated on the forehead of this face, and the glyphs from the eyes and mouth, are figured below the photograph on Plate XX XVIII.

44 COPAN.

Srove Heap uv tue Barris Musrvum, sai TO HAVE COME FROM CoPAN.

Sreta C. (Plates XXXIX. to XLI.)

[Compare Stephens’s ‘Central America,’ vol. i. p. 155; and Catherwood’s Views, Plate 4.]

Approximate height 11 feet 10 inches. Average breadth 3 feet 6 inches.

This is a broken monolith (C, Plate I.) which faced east and west, and must have been one of the most elaborately carved of the whole series.

The part still standing has suffered from fire, and much of the surface has flaked off. The principal figure on the east side is shown in Plate XL. The head is beardless.

With the help of pulleys and improvised shear-legs we were with difficulty able to raise the fallen portion so as to enable me to mould the glyphs on the underside, and to obtain the photograph of the figure on the west side which is given in Plate XXXIX.

The features have suffered much mutilation, but it is interesting to note the heavy beard which covers the whole of the lower part of the face, a peculiarity which, so far as 1 know, is not to be found on any other sculptured figure in Central America.

COPAN. 45

The ornamentation of the figure appears to have been of the usual type.

Plate XLI. gives a drawing of the inscription on the sides of this Stela, taken from the plaster cast now in the South Kensington Museum.

Close to this broken Stela, and partly shown in Plate XL., is what may have been an altar, in shape somewhat resembling a turtle. ‘The back of the animal is without ornament, and the claws, which are not in shape those of a turtle, are detached from it, but the monument has been too much disturbed for the design to be made out with any certainty. It is just possible that the alligator-like head which is figured by Stephens (plates facing p. 156, vol. i.) as lying at the foot of Stela B may have belonged to this nondescript animal.

Stera D. (Plates XLII. to XLVIIL., see also 4, Plate IV.)

[Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. p. 153; and Catherwood’s Views, Plate 5.|

Approximate height 12 feet. Average breadth 3 feet 6 inches.

This monument (D, Plate I.) stands at the north end of the Great Plaza, immediately in front of the flat-topped mound (No. 2, Plate I.) and faces the south. ‘The design is very elaborate and is carved in high relief. Unfortunately there is but little of the ornament which has escaped serious damage and mutilation.

The face of the principal figure is covered with a mask which has a large oval mark on the forehead. ‘The eyes and mouth of the face show through the openings in the mask and the beard appears from beneath it.

The serpent’s head scroll rises from the top of the lobe of the ear, but this scroll is more probably intended to be connected with the mask than with the human head.

The centre face is absent from the girdle, and the apron which hangs over the top of the girdle is ornamented with a grotesque head hanging forehead downwards, with three ties over the forehead, and below this head with feathers and rosettes.

Immediately above the head of the principal figure is a grotesque mask with loops and ties over its forehead. Above this the sculpture, which is deeply cut, is much broken away, but traces of two serpents’ heads are visible; and protruding from their mouths are grotesque-headed creatures with winged scrolls issuing from their foreheads.

The hands and arms of a human figure can be made out grasping the bodies of these serpents, but all the remainder of the figure is broken away.

In Plate XLV. the scrolls usually attached to the serpent’s head are inserted in dotted lines, merely as suggesting the ornament which probably occupied the position.

AG COPAN.

Turning now to the side view A, Plate XLVL., the body of one of the serpents whose head is shown on the front of the Stela can be traced down until it ends in another head with the serpent scroll attached to the back of it. Issuing from the jaws of this lower head is a grotesque-headed creature with the winged scroll on its forehead. ‘This grotesque figure holds in its hand something to which it is not at present possible to attach any meaning or any name; it is of constant occurrence (compare Plate VIII.), and it is hoped that further investigations may determine its nature. On the upper part of A, Plate XLVI., two grotesque figures adorned with bracelets, anklets, and breastplates, and each clothed only in a loin-cloth, may be seen grasping the serpent.

Following the design down the side of the Stela, below the serpent’s head appears the curved tail of another serpent, which cannot be further traced, and again below this another serpent’s tail, joined toa grotesque head hanging forehead downwards with the serpent scroll attached to it. Below this, again, is another serpent’s head with a grotesque head issuing from its mouth, similar to the first described. ‘The body of this snake is lost at the bottom of the monument, where the carving is much broken away.

The remaining space is occupied by a glyph, formed in part of a grotesque head in profile, with the serpent scroll attached to it, with the numeral seven in front of it. Beneath the glyph is some rectangular ornament which cannot be satisfactorily made out.

The other side of the monument B (Plate XLVI.) is similar in general design, differing only in details. The figure issuing from the serpent’s head on the top of the monument has in its hand a human head with feathers or scroll-work attached to it. And the upper grotesque figure leaning over the body of the serpent holds a mask-headed baton supported on its right arm.

On the lower part of this side of the monument there are two Glyphs, the upper with a number which is probably eight, and the lower with the number fourteen attached to it.

Although great care has been taken with the drawings of the ornamentation of this monument, the damage which it has suffered is so great that it is by no means certain that the connection of the heads and bodies of the serpents has been correctly made out.

The back of Stela D (Plates XLVII. and XLVIII.) presents an altogether different form of ornamentation to that previously described, and only this one example of it occurs at Copan. It is an inscription not in hieroglyphics, but in what may be termed “ picture-writing.” The “heading” is practically the same as that of the hieroglyphic inscriptions, but somewhat further elaborated, and the initial series ends in (No. 6) a cartouche with a whole figure within it in place of the customary head. It is not proposed further to analyze the contents of this inscription until others of a similar character which occur at Quirigua can be offered for comparison, but the fact

COPAN. AT

that something approaching an initial series occurs also in this form will doubtless prove of great assistance to anyone attempting the interpretation of the hieroglyphics.

The round disc in No. 12 is owing to a hard nodule occurring in the stone, which was not susceptible of sculpture with the tools the artist had at hiscommand. A similar nodule has been met with between Nos. 4 and 5, which has been entirely removed, and the carving continued over the concave surface of the stone. A similar nodule has doubtless been extracted from the west side of the monument, just below the lower serpent’s head.

In front of this monument is a monolithic altar shown in Plate XLII.

The south side (a) facing the plaza appears to represent a death’s head. On the side facing the monument is (2) a huge grotesque head of a more usual type without a lower jaw.

Stone Heap 1n rue Brirtsh Museum, sarp 10 HAVE COME FROM CoPAN.

COPAN.

i Pp

SteLta E. (Plate XLIX.)

Approximate height 10 feet. Average breadth 2 feet 3 inches.

Stela E is a fallen and defaced monument, lying on the terrace to the east of mound No. 1, Plate I. No photograph was taken of it. The inscription on the sides and back (Plate XLIX.) has been drawn from a plaster cast in the South Kensington Museum.

Strta F. (Plates L. to LII., see also 6, Plates IV. and LIV.)

[Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. p. 152; and Catherwood’s Views, Plate 5.]

This monument (F, Plate I.), which stands on the east side of the Great Plaza and faces west, is in such a bad state of preservation that but little can be said about it. The principal figure is carved in high relief, and the dress and ornaments are similar to those already described. Below the face is an ornament, which appears to be connected with the moustache, like that already noted in Stela B. The head is surmounted by a grotesque mask, above which are traces of a seated human figure.

The sides of the monument (a, Plate LI.) are ornamented with serpents’ heads and small grotesque figures, one above the other, and an arrangement of feathers with rosettes on them.

The feather-work is continued over the back of the monument (0, Plate LI.), as are also the twisted bodies of the serpents, which are twined in and out of the hieroglyphic inscription, breaking it up into groups, each containing four glyphs.

The inscription is given on Plate LII., drawn from photographs, with some additions taken from Catherwood’s plates, as the monument was in a somewhat better state of preservation when his drawings were made.

The altar standing in front of this monument to the west (Plates L. and 6, LI.) almost baffles description. The east and west sides are alike, and appear to represent a grotesque face without a nose and without a lower jaw. A triple band, similar to those already noted on the bracelets and anklets of some of the large figures, is tied in three knots over the forehead. Lying partly over this band are two bent limbs with tiger-like claws. Between the eyes a smooth blank space is left on the stone, and it seems probable that the nose may have been cut from a separate block of stone and afterwards fitted into its place, but no trace of such a detached nose could be seen. Two projections ornamented with scrolls rise from the sides of the altar, and almost divide the top surface across the centre.

COPAN. 49

Autars G. (Plates LIL, d & c, to LIV.)

At G is a group of three carved stones which are not mentioned by Stephens. These stones may for convenience be classed as altars, although the use to which they were put is very doubtful. All three were overturned and broken, and one of them is almost entirely destroyed. Photographs of the two which are in the best state of preservation are given on Plates LIIL and LIV. (a).

Each end of G1, the larger of the two stones figured, is carved into the shape of a huge serpent’s or dragon’s head. The best preserved of these heads is resting on two skeleton arms with claw-like hands. The upper jaw is, as usual, much exaggerated and furnished with large recurved teeth. Out of the mouth is protruding the upper part of a human figure with a grotesque head. ‘The dragon’s head on the other end of altar has been partly broken away. ‘The tongue is carved into the shape of a serpent’s head in the manner already noticed on pages 28 and 29. ‘The head protruding from this dragon’s mouth is human in form.

Both the dragons’ heads are fringed with feathers, and between them is a hieroglyphic inscription.

On one side of the altar this inscription is so much weatherworn that I did not consider it worth moulding, an omission which I now much regret. A drawing of the inscription on the other side is given on Plate LII.(4); it is somewhat irregular in shape, owing to the presence of a large round flinty nodule in the stone. Above the inscription a niche is cut in the stone, which may have served as a receptacle for offerings.

The shape of G2, the second altar (Plate LIV., a), is a reversal of the one already described. In this altar the body of the animal forms a sort of arch connecting the two serpents or dragons’ heads, and the niche is below. I can only suggest that it may have been the custom to place brasiers with copal underneath the stone, so that the smoke might ascend over the animal’s body.

The inscription from one side only of this altar is figured on Plate LII. (c). The glyphs on the other side were almost entirely obliterated.

The third altar of this group is very much broken and defaced, but it appears to have been of somewhat the same form as that last described. No photograph of it was taken.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., March 1892. h

50 COPAN.

Streta H. (Plates LIV., 4, to LXII., a.)

[Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. pp. 149, 150; and Catherwood’s Views, Plate 1.]

Height 12 feet. Breadth 3 feet 3 inches.

The circle of small stones which forms the edge of a low platform on which this monument stands can be seen in the photograph (Plate LIV., 6). Three out of the four large stones which surrounded the base of the monument itself are still in place.

The front of the monument, which faces the west, presents the figure of a woman carved in high relief (Plates LV., LVI., & LXII., a). With the exception of a skirt, which was apparently made of tiger’s skin, braided with a crossbar work of alternate long and round beads, the costume and adornments differ but little from those already described. ‘The minor differences are the presence of a second ornament overlaying the centre of the breastplate, the simplicity of the bracelets and sandals, on which there are no grotesque heads, and the modification of the girdle.

In the centre of the head-dress is a large grotesque mask, and at each side of the mask is an arrangement of serpents’ heads without lower jaws. One of these heads is fringed below with feathers and tassels—a design which will be found frequently repeated on other monuments. ‘The other head has a band hanging from it adorned with tassels and rosettes.

Above the large mask is the remains of what may have been another grotesque head, backed with tiger’s skin.

The whole head-dress is surrounded by gracefully arranged feather-work.

The sides of the monument (Plates LVII. to LIX.) are somewhat similar to one another in design. The lower part is occupied by an oval, a loop, and an attached scroll, in a form which constantly occurs amongst the hieroglyphics; it here forms a framework for a grotesque-headed human figure. From the top of the scroll spring two entwined serpents, whose bodies extend to the top of the monument; but it has not been found possible to trace their convolutions exactly nor to attach to them the heads and the tail ornaments which form part of the decoration. Two human figures holding on to the bodies of the serpents peer out from amidst the feather-work. The lower of these two figures on the south side of the monument holds a mask-headed baton in his left hand.

The back of this monument (Plates LX. and LXI.) is very elaborate in design. It is surrounded by a fringe of feathers and rosettes. On the lower part is an inscription of eight much defaced glyphs. In the centre of the design above the inscription is a grotesque mask with large ears and ear-scrolls, and with a four-lobed mark on the forehead. Below this mask is a plaited ribbon, from which hangs an apron similar in design to those already described as hanging from the girdles of the principal figures on

COPAN. % 51

the other monuments; but in this case the central face is covered by a small seated human figure with one arm resting on its knee, and the other passed through the eye of the serpent’s head ornaments.

In the upper part of the design, above the central mask, is the figure of a sort of grotesque bird, whose claws can be seen grasping a horizontal bar. Two plumed and tasselled serpents’ heads of the conventional type take the place of outstretched wings. From the mouth of the bird hangs what may be called a tongue with three round spots on it, and apparently attached to the end of the tongue is a plaited ribbon. Below the bar clutched by the claws of the bird is a design something like that of the breastplates of the principal figures, with the difference that in place of the serpents’ heads are what appear to be two grotesque birds’ heads. On the central panels of this ornament there is twice repeated one of the symbols which occur so frequently on girdles and breastplates.

To the birds’ heads at the end of this ornament is apparently attached the plaited ribbon which hangs down on each side of the central mask and ends in a serpent’s head with disks and tassels attached to it.

There now remains to be mentioned that part of the design (coloured red) which extends from the tongue of the grotesque bird to the top of the central mask. I have no doubt that it is a symbolical ornament especially connected with the mask below it, and one of considerable importance. It is not only repeated again at Copan, but is also of frequent occurrence at Palenque and Menché.

The following figures give some examples of this ornament.

In a (Stela I, Copan) the full front view is given.

In 6 (Stela H, Copan) the left-hand part is given in profile.

In ¢ (interior mural decoration, Palenque) both the centre and left-hand parts are given almost in profile.

Up to the present no example has been found of the use of this ornament except in connection with the head or mask having the four-lobed mark on its forehead, and it h2

52 COPAN.

will probably prove of great assistance in identifying that particular dragon-like figure to which this head or mask pertains.

It has already been figured before, on Plate LX. (6 and c) as well as on Plates XII., XIII. (2), and XV., where the symbols can be traced over the head of the dragon on the east side of the sculptured doorway, although the design itself was not appreciated when the drawings on Plates IX. and XII. were made.

In front of Stela H is an altar, shown on Plate LIV. (0). It is so much defaced that the design is almost entirely lost, but traces of four large faces carved on the sides of the altar can still be made out; and running round the upper part are two ornamental bands, similar in design to some of the breastplates. This latter ornament will be better seen when the altar at U is figured.

Steta I. (Plates LXII., 6, to LXV.)

[Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. p. 151.]

Height 9 feet. Greatest breadth 2 feet 9 inches.

This monument stood in a niche cut out of the stone-faced slope, and at the time of Stephens’s visit was still standing, although almost entirely covered over with earth and fallen masonry. I found it again covered with earth, but fallen and broken into one large and several smaller pieces. These pieces were moulded separately, and the casts made from them have been joined together. (See photographs on Plates LXIII. and LXIV.)

The principal figure stands in the usual conventional attitude. The face is com- pletely covered with a grotesque mask, and natural eyes and mouth do not show through the mask as on Stela D. The ears are of the same shape as one part of the ornament figured on page 51, and snake’s head ornaments are pendent from them. Apparently attached to the bottom of this mask is another grotesque mask without a lower jaw, and below this again is a small tasselled head.

The breastplate is reduced to a line of fringed links representing a serpent’s body ; and the serpents’ heads at each end are of the usual form, and have grotesque heads issuing from their mouths.

The three faces on the girdle are grotesques, and there is a breadth of tiger's skin between the girdle and the usual fringe of tassels.

The upper part only of the apron is preserved, and is ornamented with a full-faced grotesque head. (See also Plate XXIV., 4.)

COPAN. 53

Above the head of the principal figure is a grotesque mask with the four-lobed mark on its forehead and the usual symbols above (fig. a, p. 51). Around the square ears of this mask are clustered plaits and scrolls and serpent-head ornaments, and at each side is the head and arm of a human figure.

An ornament similar in character to that already described in Stela A hangs down on either side of the legs of the principal figure, and was probably suspended from the shoulders. The lower part of this ornament is very indistinct, but some of the features of a grotesque serpent’s head can be made out with a tasselled disk hanging from its mouth.

The garters are almost entirely broken away, and the top of the sandals are also much mutilated.

Plate LXIV. is a photograph from the plaster cast of the inscription on the back and sides of this monument. The two lower glyphs on both the sides have been completely destroyed. The four lower glyphs on the back can still be traced; but unfortunately this part of the mould was mislaid when the cast was made, and these glyphs were omitted, but they are shown in the drawing of the inscription given on Plate LXV.

The circular altar which stood in front of this monument is shown in Plate LXIL., 0; the inscription on it is much defaced.

Steta J. (Plates LXVI. to LXXII.)

Height 8 feet 10 inches. Greatest breadth 3 feet 5 inches.

This monument is not mentioned by Stephens. It differs from the others in having no figure carved on it. A small altar without much ornament on it (see Plate LXVL.,, a) stands to the west of the monument, which must therefore be considered to face in that direction.

The design of this west front (Plates LXVI. (2) and LXVIII.) is that of a full face without a lower jaw, somewhat similar to but less elaborate than the design on the back of Stela B, and it can be best understood by a reference to figures / and m on Plate XXIV.

More than half the surface is occupied by a hieroglyphic inscription. The glyphs are numbered consecutively on Plate LX VIII. for facility of reference, although the order in which they should be taken is altogether uncertain.

On the sides of the monument (Plates LX VII. and LXIX.) is an inscription in double columns. On the north side the top glyph of each column differs in character and arrangement from the rest, and these may possibly be the last two glyphs carried over from the inscription which is carved on the face of the monument.

64 COPAN.

The remainder of the inscription on the sides has a consecutive series of numerals running through it, and appears to have been made up of a number of short sentences or paragraphs.

This arrangement is clearly shown on Plate LXX., where the inscription is redrawn and the paragraphs placed one under the other.

The east face or back of the monument (Plates LX VI. (a), LXXI., and LX XII.) is completely covered by an inscription, in which the glyphs are arranged on a ribbon in diagonal lines, an arrangement which is not met with elsewhere.

As it is improbable that the sculptor could have thus arranged the glyphs without some pattern to refer to, I tried to construct such a pattern with strips of paper, and succeeded in making a plait all in one piece, which is figured on Plate LXXI. The heading and first five glyphs of the Initial series are fairly distinct, and clearly indicate where the plait should commence, and it will be seen that the last glyph on the plait (No. 48) lies exactly opposite the heading. The most difficult part of the arrangement of the plait is at the bottom, where unfortunately the carving is much worn; but although it may be possible to turn this part of the plait somewhat differently, no other arrangement is likely to alter the sequence of the glyphs to any great extent.

On the assumption that this plan for the numbering of the glyphs is correct, another copy of the inscription is given on Plate LXXII., in which the glyphs are arranged in the usual form of double columns, so as to facilitate comparison with other inscriptions.

Attar K. (Plate LXXIILI, a.)

This is a small flat-topped altar about 2 feet 6 inches square and | foot high. The inscription given on Plate LX XIII. (a) is carved on the four sides.

Attar L. (Plate LXXIIL., 6.)

This is a block of stone measuring about 3 feet 7 inches square and 2 feet 3 inches

high, carved on one side only. A drawing made from a plaster cast is given on Plate LX XIII. (8).

‘iy 1 WA ag ¢

ie oe aoe aag wae ; Pp ot .

Di iene tac a ab c ea "i : '

cRteae ed) Pa Th ‘ 5

COPAN. 5d

Sera M. (Plate LXXIV.)

Height not measured—probably about 10 feet. Breadth 2 feet 6 inches.

This monument is lying on its face, and is broken into two or three pieces. I was not able to turn over the blocks of stone and examine the figure carved on the under- side. A mould of the inscription on the back was made in paper, and a drawing from the cast is given in Plate LX XIV.

Within a few feet of Stela M is an altar (Plate LXXV., a & 6) which may be roughly described as a square-shaped block of stone fashioned into the form of a four-legged grotesque animal without a head. In the flat surface, both on the front and back of the monument, there is a large hole, and it seems probable that into these holes heads had formerly been fitted. The animal represented may have been the double-headed dragon already given on Plates IX. and XII.

Close to this altar a stone head was found with tenon attached, which fitted fairly well into the hole in the front of the altar. The head is shown in this position in the Photograph on Plate LXXYV. (a). There is a four-lobed mark on the forehead as well as the peculiar marks already mentioned and figured on page 51, usually found in connection with one of the heads of the two-headed dragon. ‘The photograph (Plate LXXV., 0) is not sufficiently good to show clearly the hole in the back of the altar into which, if the suggestion made be correct, the second head of the dragon would have been fitted.

The sides of the altar, between the fore and hind legs of the animal, are shaped into large grotesque faces, and the top of the altar is also carved into a huge grotesque face similar to the faces m and m in Plate XXIV. The ornaments over the joints of the limbs and the small groups of tasselled balls will be found in other instances as adornments of these dragon-like figures.

StevaA N. (Plates LXXVI. to LXXXIIL., a.) [Compare Stephens’s ‘Central America,’ vol. i. Frontispiece and p. 138. |

Height 11 feet 6 inches. Breadth 4 feet 2 inches.

This is the most elaborately carved of all the monuments now standing at Copan, and is in fairly good preservation, although it has suffered some damage since Mr. Catherwood sketched it in 1839.

The sculpture is similar in general design on the front and back of the monument.

A paper mould was taken of the hieroglyphic inscription on the sides of the BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., September 1893. a

56 COPAN.

monument, but the drawing of the rest of the sculpture has been made from photo- graphs only. A considerable number of photographs were taken, and the prints have been very carefully compared one with the other.

On the front of the monument (Plates LX XVI. and LX XVII.) isa large human figure standing in the usual conventional position, with the hands raised to the breastplate. The projecting ends of the ear-ornaments have been broken off. Above the head is a large grotesque mask without a lower jaw. On either side is a plaited ribbon, edged with round disks. ‘The forehead of the mask, on which is a cross hatched mark, is bound round with a cord, knotted in front, and forming on one side a loop, and on the other a sort of flower-like expansion, to which is attached a grotesque-looking fish. Only a small fragment of the lower part of the fish is now left, but it is restored in the drawing from Catherwood’s plates and from other examples on this same monument.

This flower-and-fish ornament will be again found at Chichén Itza, and there is also something like it at Palenque. Springing from the corner of the mask above the loop is an ornament (coloured the same as the mask) which will be recognized as part of the design figured on page 51, and it may possibly connect this mask with the head of the double-headed dragon. Above the mask is a very curious ornament now much broken; it is restored on Plate LX XVII. from Catherwood’s plates, and is left uncoloured.

The shoulders of the principal figure are covered with a cape made of the usual oblong flattened plates: the breastplate is of the ordinary form and has grotesque figures issuing from the serpents’ mouths; over the centre of the breastplate is an inverted grotesque mask, coloured green in the plate.

The bracelets, girdle, apron, garters, and sandals are similar to those already described on other monuments.

On either side of the great mask over the head of the principal figure is an alligator’s or dragon’s head, turned towards the side of the monument, and the drawing on Plate LXXIX. shows the looped or tasselled ornament which is attached to the end of the dragon’s snout, and the scroll ornament, decorated with a cross-marked oval, which hangs from its chin. Above the dragon’s head is a boss shaped into a grotesque full face, from which springs a large double scroll.

Amongst the feather-work on the upper part of the monument are three much- mutilated figures—one in the centre seated cross-legged, and holding on to what is either the remains of his breastplate or the body of one of the entwined snakes which form one of the principal features in the decoration of this monument. ‘The heads of these snakes are very conventional in form, and can be seen (coloured green) both in tbe front and back views on a line with the knees of the principal figures. The bodies ascend the sides of the monument, Plates LX XVIII. & LXXIX., and apparently pass over the upper part of the head-dresses of the principal figures, but the sculpture is

COPAN. 57

here so much broken that the bodies cannot be traced continuously ; then descending the sides they form loops with the ascending coils, and end in curiously-shaped orna- ments on either side of the four lowest glyphs of the inscription.

At each of the four corners of the base of the monument is crouched a grotesque creature, half man half beast (tinted grey), supporting in its huge open mouth a small human figure. These grotesques can be seen in the front, back, and side views. The figure at the south-east corner is the most peculiar, its frog-like upper jaw, which is turned right back, is seen in the south view only, the lower jaw can be seen in the east view, and it will be noticed that the whole of the front part of the body below the jaw is turned into a huge grotesque face. Above the heads of the human figures which stand in the open mouths of these grotesques is the first entertwining of the ascending and descending serpents’ bodies, and the loop thus formed above is in each case occupied by another figure with a grotesque head.

As the back of the monument (Plates LX X XI. and LX XXII.) is turned towards the steep slope of the steps leading to the temple No. 11, it was impossible to place the camera in a good position, and all the views had to be taken looking down on the monument from above.

In general design the sculpture on the back is similar to that on the North face. The small head on the ornament hanging over the breastplate is different in shape. ‘The mask over the head of the principal figure is in better preservation, and more dragon-like in form; the forehead is bound by a knotted cord, which ends in a flower-like expansion with a fish attached to it. On either side of the mask, instead of the alligator’s head, there is a grotesque head, with a cross-bar ornament hanging down in place of a lower jaw; above these grotesque heads is an ornament similar in form to that (left uncoloured) above the head of the large central mask; but these latter ornaments can be seen best on the side views.

Plate LX XXIII. (a) gives a drawing of the inscription on the four stones placed round the foot of the monument; unfortunately the cast is not quite complete, as there were probably some additional glyphs at the end of the lines carved on separate and smaller stones, which were overlooked.

In front of this monument is an altar (Plate LXXXIII.,6) rather smaller, but somewhat similar to that already described as lying near the fallen Stela M, but in this case the whole design is carved out of a single stone. It isin the form of a double- headed dragon (a head at each end) with four legs. The sides of the body between the legs are shaped into huge grotesque faces. Round the top of the altar runs a broad band with cross ties at intervals and loops at the end.

58 COPAN.

Attar O. (Plates LXXXIV. and LXXXYV.)

Greatest length (on the ground) 7 feet. Greatest height 3 feet 5 inches.

This altar is not mentioned by Stephens: it stands on the east side of Mound No. 7, and is somwhat similar in outline to G (1) figured on Plate LIII., with a niche cut in the upper surface, but it differs from it considerably in detail.

On the west side (Plates LXXXIV., a, and LXXXYV., a) the surface is covered with the semblance of a conventional plumed serpent. A double scroll (shaded) issues from the open mouth ; the end of the upper jaw is turned up and forms a small grotesque face, which is seen in profile. There isa plume of feathers under the chin of the serpent, and from the corner of the mouth hangs a tongue which is fashioned into a conventional serpent’s head without a lower jaw. ‘The usual scroll springs from the back of the head. The body is clothed with scales, and ornamented with three pairs of circular markings. The line of the back and the underpart of the tail is fringed with feathers. Where the body begins to curl upwards the figure of a small serpent occupies the corner of the stone.

On the east side (Plates LX XXIV., 6, and LXXXV., b) there are two serpents. ‘The heads are similar to that of the serpent on the east side, but they are furnished with arms and claw-like hands. The bodies are more snake-like in form, and attached to the tails are ornaments marked with a conventional full face, from which spring double scrolls.

Between the twisted bodies of the serpents is a detached ornament crowned with a plume of feathers.

The ends of this monument (Plate LXXXV.,¢ &d) are somewhat worn. On the north end (Plate LX XXYV., c) is carved a frog and a fish, and on the south end a smaller fish and two human figures.

STeLa P. (Plates LXX XVI. to LXXXIX.)

[Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. p. 140.]

Height 10 feet 7 inches. Greatest breadth 2 feet 7 inches.

This monument stands in the Western Court, near the foot of a flight of steps (Plate I. No. 15), and faces the west. The principal figure on the front (Plates LXXXVI. and LXXXVIL) is in the usual conventional pose, with hands held up to the chest. The face has been mutilated. The ear-bosses are large and around them are a number of ornaments, plaited ribbons, feather-work, and portions of the conventional serpents’

COPAN. 59

heads, which are difficult to describe in detail. Below the face of the principal figure is a grotesque mask with a cross-bar ornament hanging from its mouth. The shoulders seem to have been covered with the usual cape of flattened plates, which is almost completely hidden by a number of other ornaments. The breastplate (coloured red) varies considerably from the usual form. The serpents’ heads on the ends of it are of the customary type, but instead of a stiff panel connecting them they are joined by a conventional representation of a snake’s body, which curves downwards and encloses a human head ornament in the loop.

Grotesque heads (themselves furnished with serpents’ heads as head-dresses) with hands issue from the open serpents’ mouths at the ends of the breastplate.

The girdle and apron differ from the usual design only in the treatment of details. A jagua’s skin with a fringed edge hangs from the waist. The lower part of the legs and feet are almost entirely broken away.

Above the head of the principal figure is a large grotesque mask without a lower jaw. There isa deep hole where the nose should be, and it seems possible that a rather prominent nose may have been carved out of a separate stone with a tenon to fix it into this hole. Above this large mask are three smaller masks one above the other.

The ornament which runs behind the uppermost mask and across the face of the monument baffles description. It has been left uncoloured in the Plate: on one side of it is the upper part of a serpent’s head with a three-lobed ornament hanging from its upper jaw, and behind this a piece of tiger’s skin. It is possible that the scrolls which pass behind the central mask may be meant to indicate a snake’s body, and they appear to be attached by a disk or knot and two loops to an ornament like the halt of a breastplate.

There remains now only to be mentioned the ornament which was probably attached to the shoulders, and hangs down on either side of the principal figure. It first comes into view beneath the elbows, in the form of two fringed disks or shields, and to these are attached two entwined and feathered snakes with ornaments hanging from their mouths; but the damage done to this part of the monument is so great that the design has been restored (in dotted lines) principally from the shape of the scars left on the stone where the carved surface has been broken away. ;

It was not possible to take satisfactory photographs of the whole of the back of this monument, owing to its nearness to the steep slope of the pyramidal foundation (Plate I. No. 16). Plate LX XXVIII. therefore gives only photographs taken from the plaster cast, and Plate LXX XIX. drawings made after careful comparison of the cast with a number of photographs of the original.

60 COPAN.

Attar Q. (Plates XC. to XCIII.) [Compare Stephens’s ‘ Central America,’ vol. i. pp. 140-142.]

About 4 feet 8 inches square, and 2 feet 5 inches high.

This altar stands a few feet south of Stela P and is cut out of a single block of stone. Plates XC. and XCI. give photographs of the four sides, and Plate XCII. a drawing made from the cast and photographs.

The design on the sides of the monument is very similar to that on the step taken from temple No. 11, figured on Plate VIII. In this case there are sixteen figures, each seated cross-legged on a glyph—ten of them looking to the right and six to the left. With the exceptions of the figures Nos. 11 and 16 (that is, the first and last of those looking to the left), each figure holds in its hand the same object mentioned on page 46, and which can be seen in the hands of figures in Plates VIII. and XLVI.

The object in the hand of the figure No. 11 is probably meant to represent a torch.

On the top of the altar is an inscription numbering 36 glyphs. A drawing of this inscription and a photograph of the cast is given on Plate XCIII.

AuTaR R. (Plate XCIV., a.)

Measures 3 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 8 inches, and 1 foot 2 inches in height.

On one side of this altar a death’s head is carved in rather bold relief; on the other three sides is a hieroglyphic inscription. ‘The top is unornamented. ‘The drawing on Plate XCIV., a, is from the original sculpture now exhibited at the South Kensington Museum.

Autar 8. (Plate XCIV., b.)

Measures 2 feet 1 inch by 2 feet 7 inches, and 11 inches in height.

This altar was found on the suinmit of the mound No. 29, near the site of the modern village. The drawing of ‘the inscriptions on the four sides was made from a plaster cast.

} Attar T. (Plates XCV. and XCVL.) Height from 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches. Length of sides:—North 5 feet 8 inches, south 6 feet 3 inches, west 4 feet 5 inches, east 4 feet 2 inches. | This altar, which is somewhat irregular in shape, stands on what may now be called the Village Green (see illustration on page 10). On the top of the altar is carved an

COPAN. 61

alligator’s body with outstretched limbs; the tail extends over the north side, and the claws of the hind legs on to the east and west sides of the altar.

Figure ¢ on Plate XCY. is an attempt to draw the form of this animal on one plane.

The teeth stand out and form a sort of fringe on either side of the head, and on the end of the snout is a curious ornament formed of three small heads—one full face, and the other two in profile. ‘This ornament hangs down over the south side of the altar. The two marks in front of the eyes are probably meant for the usual nose-ornaments ; at the back of the head are two disks with winged scrolls issuing from them. ‘The ornaments on the wrists are of some soft material looped and knotted, and one of the loose ends is broadened into the flower-like expansion already noticed on all four sides of Stela N (Plates LXXVI. to LXXXII. and pages 56 & 57). Traces can just be made out of the fish which usually accompanies this ornament. The same ornament can be seen on the anklets, but the fish can be traced near the right foot only and ina different position.

Double oval marks are distributed over the body, and there is a line of scales along both sides of the body and the lower side of the limbs.

Running from the snout across the back and down the middle of the tail is a hieroglyphic inscription, of which, unfortunately, the last three glyphs only have escaped destruction.

Upon the upper surface of the monument are two apparently human figures seated upon the arms of the alligator ; both figures are much weatherworn—each has what appears to be a glyph in its hand, which is outstretched towards the alligator’s head. Between the alligator’s arms and legs four human figures are seated in similar positions, two on each side of the body. ‘These figures have large mask head-dresses, and carry offerings in their hands. ‘Three out of the four offerings are obliterated, and the one

remaining is not a copy of any known glyph, but it is easy to suppose that it may be the symbol for fire. ‘There are two figures on the north side of the monument, one on either side of the tail of the alligator, each is seated on a glyph; the figures are human, but in place of a human head each figure is surmounted by a glyph, which has, however, something of a facial appearance in profile. ach figure holds a glyph, with the numeral ‘10’ attached to it, in its outstretched hand.

The figures on the south, east, and west sides of the altar appear to form a double series (six of them facing to the right and six to the left), after the manner of the figures on the step in Temple No. 11 (Plate VIII.) and on Altar Q (Plates XC. to XCIII.)

On the south side the figures are all four human, and each is seated cross-legged on a glyph and facing inwards towards a double line of glyphs which runs from beneath the ornament on the alligator’s snout to the base of the altar. Following the series of figures to the east :—

No. 1 (a) has something like a moustache on the upper lip. Head covered with

62 COPAN.

turban head-dress with an inverted heart-shaped ornament on the side of it possibly representing a tiger’s ear. A small breastplate on the chest and a long bead necklace hanging to the waist. In the right hand is the object which has been referred to before, and which can be seen in the hands of some of the figures in Plates VIII., XLVI., and XCII. It appears to be some folded or laminated substance bound round the middle, to form a convenient handle, and is somewhat suggestive of the Samoan orator’s fly-flap, although evidently made out of a different material.

No. 2 (a). A distinctly bearded face. The turban-like head-dress spotted as though made of jagua-skin. The ornament over the ear probably a tiger’s foot.

The other ornaments are much the same as on No. 1, and a similar object is held in the right hand, but with the folds or lamine more divided.

No. 3 (a) isa human figure with the head of a leaf-nosed bat. It is seated on the ground, not on a glyph; the head-dress is worn away, but above it is what was in all probability the figure of a small serpent.

No. 4(a). The figure is seated on the ground. ‘The face has altogether disappeared, but the large serpent mask head-dress is in fair preservation. The figure is furnished with a snake’s head in place of a human hand.

No. 5 (a). The figure is seated on a glyph; the body is human, but the head is that of a jagua; from the top of the head-dress issues a complex scroll.

No. 6 (a). Is a small human figure seated cross-legged on a glyph. The head-dress is large and turban-shaped, and resting on the flat top of it is a serpent with a long forked tongue issuing from its mouth. There is a glyph enclosed between the upcurved body of the snake and the flat top of the head-dress. The large scar in front of the nose of the figure is probably caused by the breaking away of the nose ornament and the surface of the stone around it. The upper part of the figure is clothed in a cape covered with a network of beads, and a similar bead-ornament envelopes the crossed legs.

The series of figures to the west is as follows :—

No. 1 (6). The figure is seated on a glyph. The face without moustache ; otherwise as far as the ornaments can be traced they are similar to those on | (a).

No. 2 (4). The figure is seated on a glyph. No breastplate ; cape ornamented with bead network. Turban head-dress; object held in the hand much broken.

No. 3 (4). A large bird standing on the ground, the left wing partly extended.

No. 4 (4). Figure seated on the ground, with human body and alligator’s head. A winged scroll rises from the back of the head. Apparently hanging from the back is the upper part of a conventional serpent’s head with a cross-barred ornament and feathers attached to it. This ornament, as will be explained further on, is probably the wing of the Serpent Bird.

No. 5 (0). A figure seated on the ground, with a human body and animal’s head; but what animal it is meant to represent cannot yet be determined.

No, 6 (0). A small human figure seated on a glyph, in all respects similar to 6 (a).

COPAN. 63

Arar U. (Plates XCVITI. and XCVIII.)

Length 5 feet. Breadth 2 feet. Height 3 feet.

The front of this altar (Plate XCVII., a) is a huge grotesque face without a lower jaw. Across the forehead is a broad band, similar in shape and ornamention to some of the breastplates.

On each side of the altar is a serpent’s head with open mouth in which a human figure is seated cross-legged.

On the top and back of the altar (Plate XCVIL, 4) is a hieroglyphic inscription, and there are also two glyphs on each side of the altar above the serpents’ heads which appear to belong to the inscription. It is of course impossible as yet to determine the sequence of the glyphs with certainty, but on Plate XCVIII. the whole of the inscription is drawn, and the glyphs are numbered in the order which appears to me most likely to be correct. The glyphs on the top of the altar are much weather- worn.

ce CRE)

Tue Serpent Birp. (Plate XCIX.)

In describing the back of Stela H (page 51) mention was made of a sort of grotesque bird with two plumed and tasselled serpents’ heads of the conventional type in the place of outstretched wings. It appears now to be desirable to give some other examples of this peculiar design (which, for convenience of reference, will be called the ‘Serpent Bird’), as an appreciation of the factors composing it enables one to understand much of the complicated ornament which is of such frequent occurrence on the monuments.

The most essential character of the design seems to be the presence of a conventional snake’s head (without a lower jaw) in place of, or overlying, the bony structure of the bird’s wing.

The ‘Serpent Bird’ may of course be only another way of expressing the idea intended to be conveyed by the ‘ Feathered Serpent,’ of which so many examples have already been given, but the two forms appear to be sufficiently distinct to justify the employment of different names.

On Plate XCIX. are given examples of the Serpent Bird taken from sculpture in widely distant localities.

Fig. @ is copied from the upper part of the central slab fixed into the back wall of the Temple of the Feathered Cross at Palenque. The wing of the bird is erect and the serpent’s head (which is coloured red throughout the series) is inverted.

Fig. 6 from the back of Stela H at Copan (Plates LX. and LXI.) gives a front view of the bird and shows clearly a peculiarity of frequent occurrence in the design, namely,

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Archieol., September 1893. k

64 COPAN.

the three sets of double tassels hanging from the serpent’s head and the sort of curtain fringed with short feathers, which is usually (although not in this instance) ornamented with a diagonal cross (saltire).

The large feathers of the wings are probably represented as curving round and the tail-feathers as hanging over, in order to form the graceful rosetted feather- edging to the monument.

Fig. ¢ is copied from part of the decoration of a wooden lintel (the original is now in the Museum at Basle) taken from one of the Temples at Tikal. It gives a full face view of the bird ; the serpents’ heads are inverted and the diagonal cross on the curtain is clearly shown.

In figs. 6 & ¢ the curtain and feather-edging is coloured yellow and the tassels blue.

Fig. d is a square of picture-writing from an Initial Series heading the hieroglyphic inscription on the east side of Stela D at Quirigua.

Fig. e from a similar series on Monolith B at Quirigua. In both these examples the birds vary considerably in form, but the chief characteristic of the snake’s head on the wing remains the same although the curtain and tassels are absent.

The drawings of the picture-writing on the monuments at Quirigua were those first attempted when materials were being collected with a view to the publication of this book, and even with good casts and photographs to work from the task of making intelligible copies appeared to be almost hopeless and the drawings were laid aside for some years. Now that the serpent forms are better understood and especially that of the Serpent Bird, it is possible to account for nearly every line of the complicated decoration.

It is only natural to find a race dwelling in the Tropics using the brilliant plumage of birds in personal adornment, but the frequent occurrence of the Serpent Bird appears to indicate that that particular conventional form was invested with sacred attributes. And the preference shown in the use of the wing of the sacred bird, especially in head- dresses, accounts for much that is otherwise difficult to understand in the carved ornament.

Fig. f gives the head and head-dress of one of the figures on a stone lintel from Menché, —here a portion only of the serpent’s head can be seen ; but one tassel, the curtain, the short feather-fringe, and the long wing-feathers form prominent features in the design, and there can be no doubt that the wing of the Serpent Bird is the object represented.

Figs. g, h, & @ are also examples from Copan and Quirigua of the wing of the Serpent Bird used independently in decoration. In fig.7 the feathers are entirely omitted,

and it is only through the presence of the curtain and diagonal cross that the connection can be inferred.

COPAN. 6d

AVESE, EOXG POE Dal EO UN, ORG. Oe

In the year 1891 (mainly, I believe, through the public-spirited enterprise of Mr. Charles P. Bowditch) an arrangement was come to by which the Peabody Museum of American Archeology and Ethnology of Harvard University acquired the care of the antiquities of the Republic of Honduras for a period of ten years, with the right of exploring ruins and taking away one-half of the objects found in the excavations.

The first use made of this concession was to equip an expedition, which left Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the autumn of 1891, to carry on the exploration of the ruins of Copan. A second expedition, despatched in the following year, was marked by the lamentable death of the leader, Mr. John G. Owens, who died of fever, and lies buried at the ruins beside one of the great monoliths in the Plaza.

During the winter of 1893-94 I travelled in Guatemala in company with my wife * ; and as the authorities of the Peabody Museum, owing to Mr. Owen’s death, were not prepared to send out their annual expedition, I visited Copan as the representative of the Museum, and we remained camped in the ruins from the Ist to the 21st March, 1894.

A record of the excellent work done by the American expeditions will be found in the Memoirs of the Peabody Museum. One piece of work done by the Americans cannot be too highly commended: it is the erection of a substantial stone wall completely enclosing the principal group of ruined buildings.

In the Editorial Note to the first of the Peabody Museum Memoirs, Professor Putnam says :—‘‘ As Mr. Maudslay had given names, with reference by letters and figures, to the various portions of the Ruins and to prominent sculptures, the same designations are given in this report and the accompanying plan. Additional features have been indicated by continuing in sequence the letters and figures, thus avoiding duplication and confusion.”

In dealing with those monuments not already numbered or lettered by me on Plate I., or on the sketch-map on page 15, I have followed the letters and figures given in the Peabody Museum Memoirs.

In 1894 I was'able to complete the moulds of inscriptions which were omitted from

* See «A Glimpse at Guatemala, and some Notes on the Anciont Monuments of Central America,’ by Anne Cary Maudslay and Alfred Percival Maudslay. 4to. John Murray, London, 1899.

+ Memoirs of the Peabody Museum.—Vol. I. No.1: Prehistoric Ruins of Copan, Honduras. A Preli- minary Report of the Explorations by the Museum, 1891-95. 48 pages: large map; illustrations in text ; 8 plates. 1896. No.6: The Hieroglyphic Stairway; Ruins of Copan. By George Byron Gordon, 88 pages; 26 illustrations in text; 18 plates. 1892.

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., August 1902. l

66 COPAN.

the earlier series, and to mould some inscriptions from monuments discovered by the Peabody Museum Expeditions.

Sreta 1. (Plate C.)

Position:

Western base of Mound No. 9, facing west.

This monument was found broken and fallen, and has been replaced in an upright position. The base of the stela was found in place by the Peabody Museum Expedition, on the second step of the stairway forming the western slope of Mound 9.

A circular altar with an almost obliterated inscription was lying beside the fallen stela.

Srena 2. (Plates CI.-CII. and CIIL., a.)

Position : Southern base of angular extension of Mound 10. This monument had fallen, and was placed in an upright position by the Peabody

Museum Expedition. In style both the figure and inscription resemble those on Stela P, the much-damaged Stela 3, and Stela 7.

Sreta 38, lying to the south of Mound 4, is so much destroyed that no drawings of it have been made.

Steta 4. (Plates CIII., 6 & ¢, and CIV.)

Position:

Near the centre of the Great Plaza.

This monument is fallen and broken in pieces. Mr. Erwin Dieseldorff, who was in Copan for some weeks in 1894, made an excavation at the base of the monument and found the carved stone of which a drawing is given on Plate CIV.* This stone is,

* The small cruciform yaults usually found beneath the monoliths are described in the Peabody Museum Memoirs.

COPAN, 67

without doubt, of carlier date, and is here used as a structural support without regard to the figures and inscription carved on it. A stone with a similar design was found by the Peabody Museum Expedition, forming part of the underground support of Stela 5; and one of the blocks forming the steps of the hieroglyphic stairway was found to have a fragment of the same design carved on its underside, where it could not possibly be seen until the block of stone was moved from its place.

STELA 5, which stood near Stela 6, is fallen and broken in many pieces.

SreLa 6. (Plates CV.-CVIL.)

Position: To the north of the path leading from the ruins to the modern village.

This is a fallen stela, which has been raised in place again by the Peabody Museum Expedition.

Sreta 7. (Plate CVIII.) Position: In Copan village, west of Altar U.

This monument lies on the ground, broken. The full-length figure on the front is much destroyed. In style this monument is similar to Stela P 2 & 3.

Sreva 8. (Plate CIX.)

Position:

To the north-west of Copan village.

One of three stones lying close together. Stela 8 has inscriptions only on the two faces.

COPAN.

fom) v3)

Steta 9. (Plate CX.) Position : Close to Stela 8.

A drawing is given of the inscription on three sides of the monument. The carving on the fourth side was almost completely destroyed.

StetaA 10. (Plate CXI.) Stela 10 lies fallen on the summit of a hill about two anda half miles to the west

of the ruins.

Steva 11. (Plate CXII., a-e.) Position : In the Passage to the south of the Eastern Court.

This small column, about 3 feet high, was discovered in 1892 by the Peabody Museum Expedition. The figure and the inscription flattened out are given on Plate CXII., a & 6, and the general appearance of the column in ¢, d, e.

Aurar Z. (Plates CXIL., f-7, and CXIIL., a.)

Position:

On the raised plateau between the Eastern and Western Courts.

This small altar was discovered in 1893 by the Peabody Museum Expedition. Height 23 feet.

—__—————_+6 —_____—_

Plates CXIIL, 6, and CXIV., a-e. Plate CXIII., b, gives a photograph of the eastern side of Mound 7, showing Altar O (figured on Plates LXXXIV. & LXXXYV.), and another altar one side of which is figured on Plate IX., 6, and erroneously described as an ‘“ ornament fallen from the

COPAN, 69

stairway leading up to Temple No. 11”; the opposite side is figured on page 16 and erroneously described as “part of the face of a step from the hieroglyphic stairway.” I am unable now to trace the origin of these errors, and have given (Plate CXIV., a-e) a complete drawing of the four sides of the altar, and a perspective view showing the frog-like figure which extends over part of the upper surface and over one end of the altar.

Plate CXIIL,, e. Gives a side view of the altar in front of Stela D, already figured on Plate XLII.

Plates CXIV., f-h, and CXV., a-c.

These photographs and drawings show the result of a careful examination of the ground surrounding the base of the altar in front of Stela F (already figured on Plates L. & LI. and described on page 48) and the discovery of fragments of detached stones which completed the design.

The drawings were made from the photographs and from my notes, and are partly restorations. ‘The colours are added merely to differentiate the two huge grotesque faces, one on each side of the altar, from the figure of the jaguar at each end.

Plate CXIV. G 1-3. The inscription is here given from both sides of the altar G1 (one side only was figured on Plates LIT. and LIII.), and there is also given a drawing of all that can be made out of the inscription on Altars G 2 and G 3.

Plates CX VI. and CXVII.

Give views taken in the great Plaza in the year 1894.

Plates CX VIII. and CXIX. Give photographs of the four sides of Altar T, of which drawings have already been given on Plates XCV. & XCVI.

“ M opey ae bus ti iy Piet te gihyelgnsesid vie innit isi. é lg Lhe ELT neh Stl wane eclt aelh dae Herp anes Pe baslgi sehty sah Paks hee ea

i

wee im, Sea , a ale Lia

BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA;

OR,

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE

FAUNA AND FLORA

MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA.

EDITED BY F, DUCANE GODMAN AND OSBERT SALVIN.

ARCH AZOLOGY.

By A. P. MAUDSLAY.

Vou. II. (TE XT.)

LONDON:

PUBLISHED FOR THE EDITORS BY R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W.,

AND

DULAU & CO., SOHO SQUARE, W. 1899-1902.

PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, KBD LION COURT, FLERT STREET.

CONTENTS.

ARCH OLOGY.

Vou. II.

(TE XT.) Pages QUIRIGUA. Principat Notices aND DEscRIPTIONS OF THE RUINS . . 2. . - © © © « «© «@ 1 IPRPRSONALUNARRATIVIEM metic) Levers Rin UA rerun eb c CMT TSCM As coe Ui od ie Mit s ]-4 GENERAL DiscRIPTION OF THE SITE AND STRUCTURES . . . . 2. «© «© © © «© @ 4-6 DescriPtion OF STELZ AND MononitHic ANIMALS . . . 2. 2 . « « «© « « . 6-19 IXKUN. DES CRIPTIONVORVRUINSE 2 els Oyraal ne ee lel) UNIS Use eh oN Gun een Mucins, OOD YAXCHE. DESCRIPTIONIORS RUINS aE or ee ee ene tei Oy One 2 20) RABINAL. ESCRIPTION/ORAUINS) ore ee eT eNO COS a bere inp arora ates rca y=) 74 CHACUJAL. IDESCRIBTION OFMUUINS ee tele CoMiley Mumia rence piece Sheree une Obie otnnlas War elie a caw Beau MEPs Neat ats) 8 BC) UTATLAN anp IXIMCHE. WM ESCRIPTIONLOFVUENSE) safe eerie heey. Chl eat ah) eee Nan tte OOS GUATEMALA—MIXCO. (Founpation-Movunps.) IDESCRIPTIONVORPECUENS Ht ciray i Ne eee heehee Peay erat al Ca Bini Cup Rue ae HS Fe ES Sa OO) MENCHE. PERSONAL NAR RATUVIH 8) Win la bea GRIN aged acre cen NEU COR AS Ae os cee lt eV wn unordered DETAILED ESCRIPTIONSORTIGUENSH yeh... sea al el oa aed Lect aera eer eteey Oe ige ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. Quirieva. Partly excavated Building (ground-plan). . . . ...+ =. . - 5 Detail Drawings of ornament, StelaD . . . . . . To face page 10 YaxcHE. Plamoru emp eywicvolen i eels rei oaiieyin <titeun ive clic cyniiey i esarenvRemimcians 23 Harthenwareyeotwa ee ati seu ial can) yt insu ih stellar iekemhereum ven ee reitth etl eis 24 Planyot Mound: onvEall=tops ss.) fe\5/ +) seat) eh) kos el este eds 24 Urartan. El] Sacrificatorio. (After Stephens.) . . . . . . » ©. » « e 36

MuncHes., eBantlenware Incense-burnens)) a) us) si fey) oll nl (ots) el ce 46

Jaen) wae To

QUIRIGUA.

PrincrpaL Notices AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE Rovrns.

I can find no notice of the ruins of Quirigua earlier than that in Stephens’s Travels *. Stephens did not visit the ruins himself, and merely relates the account given to him by his companion, Frederick Catherwood, who, in the year 1840, was able to make an excursion to Quirigua whilst Stephens was absent in Salvador. Catherwood spent only one day at the ruins and made rough sketches of two of the monoliths; but beyond the fact that it is the earliest account of the monuments which we possess, his description of them has no longer any particular value.

In the year 1854 Dr. Karl Scherzer made a short visit to the ruins and wrote a description of them. He was told by the villagers that the flood in the Rio Motagua rose to a great height in 1852, and that some of the monuments were then overthrown. ee

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

Early in January 1881 I arrived at Livingston, the Atlantic port of Guatemala, and thence travelled in a very rickety steam-launch up the Rio Dulce and across the Golfo Dulce to the village of Yzabal. Here I hired mules and rode a distance of about eighteen miles over the Sierra de las Minas to the cattle rancho of El Mico, which is within a mile of the village of Quirigua. After a day’s rest I set out accompanied by some of the villagers to visit the ruins which lay buried in the forest near the left

* Incidents of Trayel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan. By John §. Stephens. John Murray : London, 1841.

7 “Ein Besuch bei der Ruinen von Quirigua.” Karl Scherzer. Wissenschaften, vol. xvi. Vienna, 1855.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Archeol., Vol. Il., September 1899. b

Sitzungsberichte der k. Akademie der

2 QUIRIGUA.

bank of the Rio Motagua. Starting from the rancho, which stands amongst pine- woods six hundred feet above the sea-level, an hour’s ride brought us down to the edge of the plain through which the river Motagua flows. Here the path ended in some native plantations, and we then followed a track newly cut through the under- growth by some villagers who had been sent ahead of us. The whole distance from the rancho of El Mico to the ruins is about five and a half miles.

I was naturally anxious and expectant on this my first visit to a Central- American ruin, but it seemed as though my curiosity would be ill satisfied, for all I could see on arrival was what appeared to be three moss-grown stumps of dead trees covered over with a tangle of creepers and parasitic plants, around which the under- erowth had been cleared away for the space of a few feet. However, a closer inspection showed that these were no tree-stumps but undoubtedly stone monuments (A, C, D, on Plate II.). We soon pulled off the creepers, and with rough brushes, made by tying together the midribs of the leaflets of the corosa palm, we set to work to clear away the coating of moss.

As the curious outlines of the carved ornament gathered shape it began to dawn upon me how much more important were these monuments, upon which I had stumbled almost by chance, than any account I had heard of them had led me to expect. ‘This day’s work induced me to take a permanent interest in Central-American Archeology, and a journey which was undertaken merely to escape the rigours of an English winter has been followed by seven expeditions from England for the purpose of further exploration and archeological research.

On this first visit to the ruins I stayed only three days in the forest, and during that time was able to examine and photograph five of the standing stele and two of the great stone animals or altars; but so dense was the undergrowth, that, although we were encamped round Stela A, it was only on the third day that I caught sight of the monument B, which lay within a few feet of my camp-cot buried beneath the decaying trunk of a huge tree, and wrapped round with a tangle of creepers and lianes.

J again visited Quirigua in 1882, and as some men had been sent on a week ahead of me to fell trees and clear away undergrowth, I was able during a stay of five days to examine all the monuments marked on the plan, with the exception of one fallen stela.

In February 1883 I again arrived at the ruins, this time more fully equipped for the work. My companions were Mr. Charles Blockley, a young surveyor from Belize, Mr. L. Giuntini, from London, and the brothers Lopez, who had brought with them twenty Indian labourers from the Vera Paz.

We commenced work early in February, which is considered to be the beginning of the dry season, but, unluckily for our comfort, the rains continued throughout the month and our work was carried on under the greatest difficulties. Excavations became filled with water as soon as they were made, and no moulding could be done

QUIRIGUA. 3

until a water-tight roof had been made over the monument which was to be moulded. At one time the flood-water covered all but a few feet of ground on which our palm- leaf shanty had been built; everything in camp turned green with mould and mildew, snakes and scorpions became very troublesome, and mosquitos were a continual torment. Worst of all, the sick-list increased daily until twelve of the Indians were down with fever at the same time, and all the sound ones ran away to their homes.

I had then to undertake a long journey to the Vera Paz, and after a tedious search was able to engage and bring back with me another company of labourers. ‘Towards the end of March the weather became hot and dry, and after my return to the ruins we were able to work on without interruption until the end of the first week in May. By that time I had secured a complete set of photographs of the monuments, Mr. Giuntini, who had worked on steadily during my absence, had finished a plaster mould of the Great Turtle (a mould which numbered over six hundred pieces, and had consumed nearly two tons of plaster), and he had also moulded the most interesting portions of two other monuments; and with the aid of my half-caste companions I had made a paper mould of every inscription in hieroglyphics or picture-writing which we could find in the ruins. ;

Before the last of our carefully packed cargoes of paper-moulds had reached the port tremendous thunderstorms accompanied by heavy showers of rain were of daily occurrence, and the mountain-track had again become an alternation of mud-hole and watercourse, but fortunately the moulds escaped damage.

My next visit to Quirigua was in company with my wife,