In all parts of Central America are found numerous signs that the
country was, in bygone days, inhabited by a numerous population far more
advanced in civilisation than the tribes which peopled it when first
discovered by Columbus and his companions. In Yucatan and Chiapas,
especially, ruins of numerous houses exist, with elaborately carved
monuments and large buildings, bearing a remarkable resemblance to those
of Egypt and Babylon. Throughout Nicaragua and other districts many
remains--such as tombs, monuments, and edifices--are found, as well as
carved rocks, which were probably the work of a people of still greater
antiquity than those who inhabited the first mentioned region.
Dr Seeman describes some rocks near the town of David, in Chiriqui, on
which characters are engraved similar, or indeed absolutely identical,
with inscriptions which have been found in the northern parts of the
British Islands. The rock is fifteen feet high, nearly fifty feet in
circumference, and rather flat on the top. Every part--especially the
eastern portion--is covered with incised characters about an inch or
half an inch deep. The first figure on the left hand side represents
the radiant sun, followed by a series of heads with some variation.
These heads show a certain resemblance to one of the most curious
characters found on the British rocks. They are followed by
scorpion-like and other fantastic figures. The tops of the stones on
either side are covered with a number of concentric rings and ovals,
crossed with lines. He considers them to be symbols full of meaning,
and recording ideas held to be of vital importance to the people who
used them, and whose names have become a matter of doubt.
In the district of Chontales, a vast number of ancient tombs are met
with in almost every direction. They are found in plains having a good
drainage, such as was generally selected by the Indians for the sites of
their villages. These tombs are of different heights and sizes. Some
are about twenty feet long by twelve feet wide, and eight feet above the
ground. In one which was opened was found a round pillar seven feet
high and eighteen inches across, which was standing upright in the
centre of the tomb. There was a hand-mill for grinding corn--in shape
like those still in use in the country--a knife ten inches long, a
hatchet like a reaping-hook, and a tiger's head of natural size,--all of
stone. In some instances gold ornaments have been found, but not in
sufficient numbers to induce the people to destroy the relics.
The Indians inhabiting Nicaragua in ancient days did not apparently
construct any large temples or stone buildings, as some other natives of
Central America have done. They, however, formed stone figures of
considerable size, which remind us greatly of those which exist in
Easter Island in the Pacific. These stone figures, often of colossal
dimensions, are of two different descriptions--the one having a mild,
inoffensive expression of countenance; while the others, presenting a
combination of both human and animal, have invariably a wild, savage
look, apparently for the purpose of terrifying the beholders. The
first, it is supposed, are the idols which the ancient Nicaraguans
worshipped before the Aztec conquest of their country; while the latter
were introduced when the people had been taught to engage in the bloody
rites practised by the Mexicans.
These stone monuments, though similar, as has been remarked, to those of
Easter Island, and to others found far-away across the Pacific, are
strong corroborative proofs that America was first peopled by tribes who
made their way by various stages from the continent of Asia, though, at
the same time, that long ages have passed away since they first left
that far-distant region--the cradle of the human race. The Indian
priests, like the Druids of old, appear to have chosen the hill-tops and
mountainsides, shady groves and dark ravines, for the sites of their
temples or places of worship.
From the midst of Lake Managua, in Nicaragua, rises the volcanic island
of Momotombita, towering in a perfect cone towards the blue sky. In the
midst of a natural amphitheatre on the slope of the mountain were
discovered a large number of statues (fifty or more), arranged in the
form of a square, their faces looking inwards. Many were cast down, but
others stood erect, though all apparently had been more or less
purposely mutilated. Some of the figures represent males, but others
are undoubtedly those of females. They are cut in black basalt of
intense hardness. The features of the face of one, which has been
conveyed to the Museum at Washington, are singularly bold and severe in
outline. The brow is broad, the nose aquiline, while the arms and legs
are rudely indicated. Other curious idols have been dug up in the
neighbourhood of the town of Leon. The Spanish priests, anxious to put
down the ancient idolatry from the time of their arrival in the country,
have taken pains to destroy these idols, and many have been mutilated
and others buried by their orders.
In the island of Zapetero, rising out of Lake Nicaragua, there are a
still greater number of statues--some from eight to twelve feet in
height, and others of still greater magnitude--elaborately carved out of
hard stone. Sometimes they are placed round mounds which have evidently
served the purpose of altars, on which human sacrifices probably were
offered. One of the most interesting which has been brought to light is
twelve feet high, sculptured from a single block, and representing a
human figure seated on a high pedestal, the stone at the back of the
head being cut in the form of a cross. The limbs are heavy, and the
face large and expressive of great complacency.
Some of the idols represent an animal, apparently a tiger, springing
upon the head and back of a human figure. One--also at the Washington
Museum--represents a man squatted on his haunches, with one hand at his
side, and the other placed on his breast. The head is erect, and the
forehead encircled by a fillet, much carved. The features are unlike
most others--indeed, it seems as if each one had its individual
characteristic. A jaguar appears on the back of this statue, its
fore-paws resting upon the shoulders, and its hind ones upon the hips,
while it grasps in its mouth the back part of the head of the figure.
Although many of the figures represent human beings, others are those of
animals. One, a jaguar, is seated on its haunches, the head thrown
forward, the mouth open,--the attitude and expression being that of
great ferocity. It is very boldly sculptured. Another, a very well
proportioned human figure, is seated on a square throne raised five feet
from the ground. It is remarkable for having on its head another
monstrous head, representing some fierce animal. The heads of several
of the idols are thus surmounted. These symbolical heads were probably
introduced with the same object as those which were so general among the
Egyptian idols.
In the midst of this collection of idols are two or more oblong stones,
on the sides of which are hieroglyphical inscriptions. In the centre
are hollow places, probably designed to receive the blood of the
victims.
It is remarkable that the heads of many of the figures are surmounted
with cross-shaped ornaments similar to the one discovered at Palenque by
Mr Stevens. One of these crosses--which no doubt had their origin in
Babylon, where they are well-known symbols--was set up by the Spaniards
in the convent-church of Tonala, and there venerated.
The Mexicans possessed a symbol called the _Tonacaquahutl_, or "tree of
life," which was represented with branches somewhat in the form of a
cross, surmounted by a bird. This symbol also appears on a tablet
discovered by Mr Stevens at Palenque. In various parts of the country
terra cotta figures have been dug up. Some of them are rude, but others
are extremely artistic; and though not equally graceful, resemble much,
in the form of the limbs, many Egyptian figures. Among them is a figure
from the island of Ometepe, which represents an alligator upon the back
of a human figure, which apparently originally surmounted a large vase.
Mounds similar to those found in the valley of the Mississippi have been
discovered in Honduras. But by far the most interesting remains are
those of Palenque, in Chiapas; of Copan, in Honduras; and of Uxmal and
Chi-chen, in Yucatan. Here are extensive ruins of cities, containing
the remains of pyramids, and the walls of massive buildings, broken
columns, altars, statues, and numberless sculptured fragments, showing
that a large population inhabited this country, and that the people had
attained a considerable knowledge of the arts, though, at the same time,
they seem to have been sunk in the grossest idolatry.
In the western part of Honduras, adjoining the province of Guatemala,
are extensive ruins, which stretch for more than two miles along the
banks of the river Copan. The outer walls, which run north and south
along the margin of the stream, are from sixty to ninety feet high;
while other walls, of a similar character, surround the principal ruins.
Within these walls are extensive terraces and pyramidal buildings,
massive stone columns, idols, and altars covered with sculpture. The
numerous terraces and pyramids are also walled with cut stone, and
ornamented with carved heads of gigantic proportions, and colossal idols
of solid stone from ten to fifteen feet in height. The altars in front
of the statues are of single blocks of stone, many of them richly
carved, but all differing from each other. One of the most remarkable
altars stands on four globes cut out of the same stone. It is six feet
square and four feet high, its top covered with hieroglyphics, while
each side represents four individuals. The figure is sitting
cross-legged, in the Oriental fashion, and the head-dresses are
remarkable for their curious and complicated forms. All have
breastplates, and each holds some article in his hand.
From these carvings we read, though indistinctly, some of the
characteristics of the people. From the absence of all weapons of war,
however, we may suppose them peaceable, though grossly idolatrous, and,
from being unwarlike, easily subdued.
On entering the town, after some adventures, Mr Stevens made his way to
an area, which he ascertained to be a square, with steps on all sides,
almost as perfect as those of the Colosseum. He ascended the steps,
which were ornamented with sculptures, till he reached a broad terrace,
one hundred feet in height, overlooking the river. The whole terrace
was covered with trees, among which were two gigantic cotton-trees of
about twenty feet in circumference, extending their roots fifty to one
hundred feet round, and which had, in many places, displaced the stones.
Among other ornaments were rows of gigantic heads, which, no doubt,
were intended to represent those of apes; for amongst the fragments were
the remains of the body of a colossal ape, strongly resembling in
outline and appearance one of the four monstrous animals which once
stood in front of the obelisk of Luxor, and which, under the name of
Cynocephali, were worshipped at Thebes. This fragment was about six
feet high.
No verbal description can give a correct idea of the elaborate
workmanship of the numberless idols. One, described by Mr Stevens as
the most beautiful in Copan, he considers equal to the finest Egyptian
sculpture; and thinks, indeed, it would be impossible, with the best
instruments of modern times, to cut stones more perfectly. They are
generally from twelve to fourteen feet in height, about four wide, and
two or three deep. On the front is, in all cases, a human head, with
arms and hands, surrounded by the most intricate carving. Frequently
other smaller heads appear below the large one. In many instances the
legs and feet, as well as the body, are represented. The backs and
sides are covered with the most elaborate hieroglyphics, deeply carved--
the whole forming a mass of rich ornamentation. Before several of the
idols stand altars, also carved in the same finished way.
The most interesting figure--which, unlike all the others, is remarkable
for its simplicity--is that of a human being, bearing on its head a
heavy cross-like crown. It cannot fail to remind those acquainted with
the idols of Babylon of the Triune God represented in the sculptured
stones of those far-famed ruins.