The ancient cities of the New World : being travels and explorations in Mexico and Central America from 1857-1882 . ths of the edifice ; more in front, to the right,the Casa de las TortuQ^as, Turtle House, so called from a rowof turtles occurring at regular intervals above the upper the rear, a great pyramid crowned by a vast platform, withoutmonuments, known as Cerro de los Sacrificios, Mound ofSacrifice. It is on the plan of the Mexican temples, which con-sisted, like this monument, of a pyramid with small wood chapelscontaining idols and the terrible techcatl. The Toltecs, who di
The ancient cities of the New World : being travels and explorations in Mexico and Central America from 1857-1882 . ths of the edifice ; more in front, to the right,the Casa de las TortuQ^as, Turtle House, so called from a rowof turtles occurring at regular intervals above the upper the rear, a great pyramid crowned by a vast platform, withoutmonuments, known as Cerro de los Sacrificios, Mound ofSacrifice. It is on the plan of the Mexican temples, which con-sisted, like this monument, of a pyramid with small wood chapelscontaining idols and the terrible techcatl. The Toltecs, who didnot practise human sacrifice, had real temples on the summitsof their pyramids, like those in Yucatan, where they developedthis kind of architecture. Consequently, if human sacrifices aremet among the Mayas, they must be attributed to Mexicaninfluence, and all writers agree that the monuments devoted tothis horrible practice date from the fifteenth century (1440), andare of Aztec origin. To the right of this mound Is another pyramid, having severalstories like the Castillo at Chichen, and similar monuments at. UXMAL. 409 Palenque ; it was crowned by a beautiful temple, now in a veryruined condition. Still to the riorht, but more in front, is thecurious building known as Casa de las Palomas, Pigeon House,owing to immense peaks terminating the decorative wall, piercedby large openings arranged in horizontal rows, which may wellhave served as a pigeon-house. It should be added that atUxmal the decorative wall is only found in the most dilapidatedmonuments deficient of any stucco mouldings, showing an earlierepoch. Fronting these buildings, on the second plan, are more ruins ;the most conspicuous being the Tlachtli or Tennis-court, and thesouth side of the Nunnery with its main entrance, which givesaccess to the inner court, where traces of pavement are still visible. An official document given by Stephens will confirm ourviews respecting these monuments. Stephens found it amongth
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