590

mid a raised causeway, 25 feet wide and macadamized, extends northward 300 yards or more to the Sacred Well.

THE SACRED WELL INTO WHICH PRISONERS AND MAIDENS WERE THROWN

This was the Sacred Way, and in times of pestilence and drought solemn processions of priests, devotees with offerings, and victims for the sacrifice wound between the snake-head columns down the long, steep stairway of the temple and along the Sacred Way to the dreadful Sacred Well (see page 591). The weird music of the flute and the shrill notes of the whistle mingled with the droning boom of the sacred drum as the priests, the devotees with their offerings, and the nobles grouped themselves on the brink of the well.

Then from the platform beside the shrine the offerings from far and near were tossed in, and finally the prisoners of war and beautiful maidens, drugged with the sacred ambrosia Balche, were thrown into the jade-colored waters as expiatory offering to an offended deity. Could this deep old limestone waterpit, the Sacred Weli, be given a tongue and made to tell what it had seen, what world romance could equal it!

Several hundred feet to the west of the Castle Temple, and on the same terrace with it, rest two great parallel moles of solid masonry (see page 592), each 275 feet long, 34 feet wide, and 25 feet high

Between these moles is the Ceremonial Court. This level cemented space was probably the theater for the performance of certain rites and games of a ceremonial character, like the Aztec game dedicated to Tlaloc.

This belief is borne out by the fact that at a distance of 6 feet from the level upper surface of the mole two great rings of stone were firmly fixed by means of tongues into the perpendicular wall surface directly opposite each other.

One of these rings had either fallen out of its place by its own weight, or more probably was dug out by native honey seekers, and now lies prostrate, but whole, on the ground beneath. The other yet stands out boldly from the

sheer wall surface, and the entwined serpents carved on its annular faces are still clearly visible.

To the north and south of these great moles are the half-ruined remains of two small temple structures (see page 594). Shrine-like, they seem to guard the entrance to the Ceremonial Court; but they themselves, their carved walls and columns time worn and beaten, are fully exposed to the wear of the elements.

THE TEMPLE OF THE TIGERS On the southern end of the eastern mole rests an edifice, like a casket holding jewels, that in time, as the fact becomes known, will be in itself the object of distant pilgrimages.

It is known as the Temple of the Tigers (see page 595) from the zone band of handsomely designed, artistically executed jaguars that, alternating with shields, ornaments the southern face.

Of course, it is understood that the term "tiger" is a misnomer as applied to the great Felidae in America; the jaguar and not the tiger is meant. The term "tigre," meaning tiger, was probably first carelessly given by Spanish adventurers to the jaguar from Asia, and the name was thus wrongly perpetuated in America.

The entire front of the Temple of the Tigers has disappeared. Fractured and wedged apart by the growing tree roots at the apex of the roof, the overweight of the richly carved façade toppled it over into the space beneath, where it still lies in a formless mass.

Two large serpent columns, with open jaws and bulbous teeth, are still in place. These once helped to sustain the fallen façade, and probably served as the massive fulcrum that tossed the mass of stone and lime free from the platform in front down on the level floor of the Ceremonial Court. These, like all the other serpent columns, are carved in the conventionalized crotalid shape and covered with the conventional quetzal plumes.

The square end pilasters of the outer entrance to the inner chamber are entirely covered with sculptures in low relief. Like those upon the pilasters and columns of the Castle Temple, the prin

cipal motive on each panel is a human figure elaborately costumed and brilliantly painted.

MAYAN MURAL PAINTINGS

The wall surface of both chambers bear traces of having been once covered with mural paintings. Those on the walls of the outer chamber have become entirely obliterated by the erosive action of the elements. Those on the walls of the inner chamber are in part obliterated by the excreta of bats, and still more by the vandal hand of man.

Enough yet remains to make this little chamber the repository of the best-preserved examples of the mural paintings of this ancient Maya race at present known.

The best-preserved portion represents a battle scene. The attacking party, with atlatls, spears, and shields, are seemingly assaulting a city or some large center. Above the battlefield can be seen tier upon tier of houses, and amid them are women in agonized postures, looking down upon the fighting warriors.

To one side is the symbolical figure of Kuk-ul-can, with lightning-like yellow flames issuing from his mouth, the sign of defiance and also of war. Many other scenes and portions of figures are depicted, but the battle scene is the clearest of them all at present. The figures are done in a clear, easy style, vigorous and

true.

Belonging to this same temple, but on a lower level and built against the eastern wall, is a chamber 22 feet long by 10 feet wide and 15 feet high.

The front of this chamber also is destroyed, and in practically the same way as that of the upper chamber. A portion of the end walls and a large part of the rear still remain upright (see page 596), and the superb wall sculptures they hold upon their surface are fortunately still left for study and comparison.

Clear-cut features, well-worked details, artistically executed and well carried out, show the skill and spirit of these ancient artists. The carvings clearly represent the performance of some religious rite or ceremonial dance. Entwined about the series of masked and

593

conventional figures are the serpent symbol, that of the sun and apparently that of rain and water.

Description is nearly useless in such cases as this; only photographs or drawings can adequately represent the work.

The figures were originally painted in the conventional colors, with the everpresent deep red background.

Portions of the two richly carved square pillars that once helped to sustain the fallen front, and between them a rigid conventionalized "tiger," seemingly a kind of ceremonial seat, complete all that is now visible of this chamber.

Half ruined as it is, the Temple of the Tigers is a treasure and a boon to students of the Maya civilization.

A MAYAN PRISON

South of the Temple of the Tigers lies the beautiful little structure known to the natives as the Chichen Chob, the Prison (see page 598), probably the most perfect existing unit of ancient Maya architecture. The pyramid supporting and the stairway leading up to it are almost intact, the angles and faces of the edifice itself almost perfect.

Within the chambers some of the wooden cross-beams are still in place, the mural paintings on the hard finished walls are evident, although nearly effaced; but the long band of well-carved hieroglyphics that extend entirely across the wall opposite the doors is as perfect and delicately clear as if carved but yesterday.

To the southeast lies the Round Tower (see page 600), a strange structure, unique in plan and outline. This edifice rises like a turret, 40 feet and of equal diameter, from near the center of a terrace, 20 feet high, 220 feet long by 150 feet wide.

HUMBOLDT'S SURPRISE

Its purpose is at present unknown; but from its construction, annular chambers, winding stairway, and the position of its outlooks and outlets I believe it to have been an observatory, an edifice devoted to the study of the celestial bodies. It is known that the ancient American calendar system was so accurately developed