After the sand and lime had been removed from this chamber to a depth of

nearly 30 feet it was found that the walls became continuous with the

solid foundation of masonry upon which the mound stood. This was very

difficult to penetrate, and so far as was ascertained contained nothing

further of interest. The roof of the chamber was next attacked from the

summit of the mound. To a depth of nearly 2 feet nothing was found but

fine, brown alluvial soil, full of the roots of plants and trees.

Beneath this the real structure of the mound began, for not so much as a

solitary potsherd or chip of flint was found in the earth on the summit

of the mound, indicating clearly that this layer had accumulated since

its construction. Beneath the earth layer, to the roof of the chamber,

the mound was composed of blocks of limestone of varying size, loose

friable mortar, and powdered limestone. In the first 8 feet nothing

except a few potsherds was found. At this depth two shallow circular

saucers, each 7-1/2 cm. in diameter, were unearthed. These were made of

coarse red unpainted pottery, and close to them lay a finely chipped

flint object (fig. 33, _a_, _b_). This was rounded at both ends,

narrower at the handle than at the base, and markedly convex on its

under surface (fig. 33, _a_, _b_). The front part of the under surface

was quite smooth and polished, evidently from attrition, while that part

of it marked A A bore distinct traces of blue paint. There can be little

doubt that this implement was a paint grinder, as a specimen almost

exactly similar was found in a mound near Corozal, bearing traces of

green paint on the under surface. Fourteen nicely polished reddish stone

beads, spherical in shape, together with four smaller beads of a

light-green color, and a leaf-shaped spearhead of flint, were found

adjacent to the paint grinder. Immediately beneath these was found an

object made of what seems to be reddish-brown agate; this is 10 cm. in

length, oval in section, 1 cm. in its greatest breadth, tapering off to

a blunt point at each end, and finely polished all over. With it were

nearly 300 small triangular obsidian objects of the shape shown in

figure 34. These vary in length from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 cm. They are thick

at the upper angle, the side subtending this forming a sharp cutting

edge. In some of the implements this edge is notched, as if from use.

These implements were probably used as scrapers, or small chisels or

gouges, for which purposes they would be suitable, either hafted or

unhafted. It is possible that they may have been used as teeth for the

sword known to the Aztec as _mextatl_, which was also in use among the

Maya at the time of the conquest. This weapon was constructed by setting

a number of sharp obsidian splinters in deep lateral grooves, cut in a

long piece of hard wood, which were filled with liquid resin, in order

to prevent the splinters from shifting from their positions.

[Illustration: FIG. 34.--Obsidian object from Mound No. 10.]

In the Stann Creek district of British Honduras, on the banks of the

Sittec River, at a distance of approximately 15 miles from its mouth,

there exists an extensive clearing in the bush known as "Kendal Estate."

The soil here is remarkably fertile and well suited for the cultivation

of every kind of tropical vegetable product. As has been pointed out

before, wherever throughout northern Central America one finds patches

of exceptionally rich soil, there, on clearing the bush, will be found

in greater or less numbers the mounds erected by the former inhabitants,

together with the indestructible refuse usually associated with former

village sites, as fragments of pottery, flint and obsidian chips, broken

and rejected implements and weapons, shells of various edible shellfish,

clay beads, net sinkers, malacates, broken rubbing stones, etc. The

converse of this holds true to some extent, as one of the guides relied

on by the modern degenerate Maya Indian in his annual selection of land

for a milpa, or corn plantation, is the number of mounds which he finds

upon it. Indeed this remarkable index as to the degree of fertility of

the soil appears to be almost the only useful heritage transmitted to

him by his courageous and comparatively highly civilized ancestors.

MOUND NO. 11

Mound No. 11, at Kendal, occupies a conspicuous position upon the summit

of a small natural elevation, situated on the left bank of the river

close to its margin. It is 60 feet long, 40 feet broad, and 20 feet

high, its long diameter running due east and west. An excavation was

made into the north slope of the mound, which exposed a three-walled

chamber, 8 feet in length by 4 feet 8 inches in width. There was no wall

on the south side. The north wall, owing to the outer slope of the mound

trending over it, was only 1 foot in height; the east and west walls

were each 4 feet high. All three walls were about 18 inches thick. The

chamber was packed with water-worn boulders and earth, among which

nothing was found but scattered patches of charcoal, with a few small

red pots, so rotten and friable from long exposure to the damp that it

was found impossible to remove them. Had there ever been bones in the

chamber, as seems probable, they must have completely disintegrated long

before from contact with the damp clay. The floor was composed of flags

of shale. About the center of the west wall a recess was discovered 2

feet wide by 1-1/2 feet high. This was half filled with earth, in which

the following objects were found:

[Illustration: PLATE 16

a. MODEL OF JADEITE BIVALVE SHELL.

b. LIGHT-GREEN JADEITE MASK.

c. AX HEAD, OR CELT. d. TERRA-COTTA CYLINDER.]

(1) The model of half a bivalve shell in light-green jadeite, very well

executed and polished both inside and out (pl. 16, _a_). On its outer

surface, following the contour of the outer edge, are seven glyphs, the

chief component of each of which is a grotesque human face.[39]

[Illustration: FIG. 35.--Inscription on mask, plate 16, _b_.]

(2) A small mask of light-green jadeite, well polished on both surfaces,

measuring approximately 7 cm. in both diameters (pl. 16, _b_). Inscribed

on the forehead in shallow lines are the glyphs shown in figure 35,

somewhat enlarged from the actual size. Around the edge of the lower

half of the mask are seven minute perforations, while running across the

back of the forehead from ear to ear is a larger hole, evidently used

for suspension. No doubt this mask was used as a breast ornament,

similar to those portrayed in the codices and on the monoliths, the

small holes being intended for the suspension of the alligator-head

beads found with the mask, which again may have been connected along

their outward-pointing snouts by the cylindrical beads.

(3) An ax head, or celt, of light-green stone, finely polished

throughout (pl. 16, _c_), 21 cm. in length by 6.5 cm. in breadth at the

cutting edge. One side is engraved with hieroglyphs done in shallow

lines, much less carefully and neatly than those on the shell. The lower

two-thirds of the engraved side have evidently been subjected to

considerable attrition, as the surface of the stone, especially along

the lower third of the ax, has been so worn away as to render the lines

almost undecipherable. This inscription, somewhat smaller than the

original, is shown in figure 36. With these engraved objects were a

number of cylindrical beads, pierced in their long diameter, made of

very pretty mottled light and dark green jade, well polished. They

varied from 1.2 to 1.6 cm. in length, and the substance of the stone

from which they were made was distinctly crystalline on fracture.

With them were a number of small alligator heads, made of similar stone

and about the same size as the beads, pierced at the base of the skull

for suspension, six celts of green and chocolate-colored stone, all

finely polished, varying from 9 to 18 cm. in length, and a circular disk

of iron pyrites 8 cm. in diameter by 5 mm. in thickness. This object was

milled round the edges like a coin and perforated in the center. With it

was the broken half of a similar ornament; probably both of these had

been used as ear ornaments. Trenches were dug through this mound in all

directions, but nothing further was found therein.

MOUND NO. 12

Mound No. 12, at Kendal, was situated close to the last-described

mound. Its flattened summit measured 28 feet by 20 feet; the average

height was approximately 15 feet. The mound extended east and west,

and on its eastern slope large slate slabs were seen protruding from

the surface. On excavating round these they were found to be part of

a chamber measuring 7 feet by 3 feet; the south wall had caved in and

the roof slabs also had been somewhat displaced. The chamber was filled

with earth, on removing which the following objects were found upon the

floor slabs: (1) Three nearly spherical red pots, averaging 6 inches in

diameter; they were so rotten from the effect of moisture that it was

impossible to remove them. (2) Two small, rather crudely executed human

faces cut in mottled jadeite, and finely polished, with which were

three green jadeite beads. (3) A small quantity of greenish powder.

(4) Four small chisels of polished greenstone, varying from 2 to 4 cm.

in length. (5) One chisel made of very soft gray stone, which had been

covered externally with greenish paint somewhat resembling enamel, and

very closely simulating the genuine greenstone chisels with which it

was placed, except that it was much lighter in weight. Instances of

counterfeit implements and ornaments buried with the dead have been

found more than once throughout this area.

[Illustration: FIG. 36.--Inscription on ax head, plate 16, _c_.]

Excavations were made along the flattened top of this mound, and about

16 feet to the westward of the first one a second grave was discovered.

This was in a much better state of preservation than the first, as

all the walls and the roof were in situ. It was composed throughout

of large flat irregular slabs of slate, averaging about 2 inches in

thickness. It measured 8 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet in height. The

chamber was filled with earth, and the roof was not more than 6 or 8

inches below the surface of the mound. The following objects were found

in this chamber, all resting upon the slate slabs which formed the

floor. At the north end five nearly globular red earthenware pots, of

rather coarse manufacture, each containing a stone celt, were found.

These pots had been packed closely together, in earth, and over them

a large slab of slate had been placed as if to protect them; this,

however, it failed to do, as the pots were so saturated with moisture

that it was found possible to remove only one unbroken. The celts

averaged 6 inches in length; all were well made and polished; four were

of greenstone, one of a bluish-gray stone. Close to the pots were found

a small jadeite face and three greenstone beads or pendants. Nearer

the center of the floor of the chamber were found two small cubical

objects of light greenstone 1 cm. in diameter, very closely resembling

dice, with a geometrical device inscribed in rather deep lines upon two

of their opposed surfaces; these might have been seals or stamps, or

they might have been used in playing some game. With them were a small

solid cylinder, of light greenstone, finely polished for suspension,

12 small obsidian knives, seemingly quite new, as they showed no signs

of notching from use, and six convolvulus-shaped ornaments of light

greenstone, finely polished, which had probably been used as ear plugs.

Close to the last lay a hollow cylinder of extremely hard terra cotta

7 cm. in height, inscribed externally with a geometrical device in low

relief (pl. 16, _d_). This object was undoubtedly a cylindrical seal or

stamp for use on a handle; similar specimens are not uncommon in the

south of British Honduras and in Guatemala, though in the north of the

colony and in Yucatan they are of much less frequent occurrence. Small

patches of charcoal and of green powder were found in several places

scattered over the floor of this chamber. Nothing further was found

in this mound, which was composed throughout of earth and water-worn

bowlders.

Several more mounds were excavated at Kendal, but nothing was found in

them. They were all composed of earth and large, water-worn bowlders,

the former greatly predominating. Close to many of the mounds a deep

excavation in the surface is to be seen, from which the material to

construct the mound was evidently taken. These mounds form a decided

contrast to those in the north of British Honduras and in southern

Yucatan: they are lower, flatter, more diffuse and irregular in

outline, with the line of demarcation between the base of the mound

and the surrounding soil very poorly defined. The northern mounds are

more clearly defined, with steeper sides, smaller summits, and base

lines easily distinguishable. The reason for this difference is to be

sought in the material from which the mounds were constructed, which in

the south is clay, with a small admixture of river bowlders, both of

which are easily washed down by the torrential tropical rains of the

district. Year by year the mound becomes flatter and less well defined,

till at length most of these mounds will be hardly distinguishable

from the surrounding earth. In the north, on the contrary, the mounds

are built of large blocks of limestone, with only a small admixture

of earth and limestone dust. In many cases the blocks are mortared

together, and in nearly all cases layers of cement are alternated with

layers of stone. The whole forms a practically solid block of masonry,

capable of withstanding for all time the less heavy rainfall of this

part of British Honduras and Yucatan. About the center of a triangular

space, bounded at each angle by a small mound, situated close to the

mound last described, was found a piece of water-worn rock measuring 4

feet 10 inches in length, which had evidently been carried up from the

river bed a quarter of a mile away. Three or four inches of it appeared

above the soil. Beneath the rock extended a layer of water-worn river

stones to a depth of 2 feet. Among these were found numerous fragments

of pottery and patches of charcoal. On the western side of the rock,

close to its edge, and buried 10 inches beneath the surface, were found

three rather well-chipped flint spearheads, the largest of which was 25

cm. in length (fig. 37, _a_, _b_, _c_); these were placed erect in the

earth, points upward, and close to them lay the small, eccentrically

shaped object seen in figure 38, _b_, very well chipped from dark-blue

flint, measuring 7-1/2 cm. in length. A few feet to the north of these

objects, buried at about the same depth and quite close to the rock,

were found the serrated flint spearhead shown in figure 38, _c_, 27 cm.

in length, together with the eccentrically shaped object seen in figure

38, _a_, 28 cm. in length; both of these were placed perpendicularly,

the spearhead point upward.

[Illustration: FIG. 37.--Flint spearheads.]

[Illustration: FIG. 38.--Flint objects.]

[Illustration: FIG. 39.--Devices scratched on stucco in aboriginal

building.]

About 1-1/2 miles from the village of Benque Viejo, in the Western

District, is the only considerable aboriginal building in British

Honduras, still in a fairly good state of preservation. This is a

two-story temple standing upon a small natural elevation. Each story

contains 12 small rooms, three on the north side and three on the south

side, each of which has a narrower room in the rear. The central rooms

are 27 feet in length, the side rooms 17 feet 6 inches. The breadth of

the smaller rooms is 4 feet 6 inches; the dividing walls are 3 feet

thick. All the rooms in the lower story are filled in with large blocks

of stone, loosely held together with a small amount of mortar. This

seems to have been a favorite device among the Maya architects, its

object probably having been to give greater strength and stability to

the new upper story erected upon a building of older date. All the rooms

are roofed with the triangular so-called "American arch." The height of

the rooms is 5 feet 10 inches to the top of the wall, and 5 feet 10

inches from the top of the wall to the apex of the arch. All the rooms

had been covered with stucco, and upon the wall of one of the inner

chambers completely covered over with green mold the devices shown in

figure 39 were found, rudely scratched upon the stucco. In both the

upper and the lower part of the drawing are what may be taken as crude

representations of "Cimi," the God of Death, probably, like the

"grafiti" of Rome and Pompeii, scratched on the wall after the

abandonment of the temple by its original builders.[40] Whoever executed

the drawing must have had some knowledge, however crude, of Maya art and

mythology, as the Cimi head shown in the lower and the conventional

feather ornaments in the upper part of figure 39 are unmistakably of

Maya origin. To the north of this building lies a considerable group of

ruins.

[Illustration: FIG. 40.--Eccentrically shaped implements found at

summit of mound.]

[Illustration: FIG. 41.--Flint object found at base of stela.]

[Illustration: FIG. 42.--Flint object found at base of stela.]

Among these three large pyramidal structures are conspicuous, which no

doubt at one time carried small temples upon their summits, some remains

of which are still to be seen. At the base of these pyramids stand three

small plain stelæ, quite unornamented. Upon the summit of one of these

mounds the eccentrically shaped implements shown in figures 40 and 44

were found. Of these, figure 40, _a_, _b_, and figure 44, _m_, _n_, _o_,

_p_, are of obsidian, while the rest are of flint. Sixty-four of these

objects were found in all, at depths varying from one or two inches to a

foot beneath the surface; all were within an area of about 2 square

yards. Some of the objects, especially the obsidians, were chipped out

with great care and accuracy; others were merely flint flakes with a few

shallow indentations chipped in their sides. On the south side of the

largest of the pyramids stood a large sculptured stela, the upper part

of which had been broken off and lay close to the lower part, which was

still embedded in cement. The sculptured part of this stela measured 10

feet 2 inches in length by 4 feet 3 inches in breadth, and about 16

inches in thickness. The sculpture, which is in low relief, represents a

captive, or sacrificial victim, prone on his face and knees, while above

him rises the figure of the priest or warrior, with elaborately

decorated feather headdress, holding in his extended right hand a small

figure of the manikin god. The limestone from which the stela is cut has

been very much defaced by the weather, and the finer details of the

sculpture can not now be deciphered. The back and sides are plain and

unsculptured. Close to this monolith lay a small stone altar, 2 feet 6

inches by 2 feet 4 inches; on its upper surface is represented the

figure of a skeleton with head bent over the extended right arm, while

the left is held in to the side, the elbow joint at right angles. In

front of the skeleton is a double row of hieroglyphs, each row

containing 7 glyphs, most of which are in a fairly good state of

preservation. An excavation was made round the part of the monolith

still standing. It was found to be surrounded by a solid foundation of

blocks of limestone, held together by cement, among which were found,

near the base of the stela, and actually in contact with it, the two

eccentrically shaped flint objects shown in figures 41 and 42. In

excavating a stela at the ruins of Naranjo, Republic of Guatemala,

Teobert Maler found the flint illustrated in figure 43, _a_, and in

clearing another stela at the same ruins 24 similar flints were found

(fig. 43, _b-s_). Of these he says:

[Illustration: FIG. 43.--Flints found in ruins at Naranjo.]

During the excavation of this "starfish stela" quite a collection

of very interesting flint ornaments, 24 in number, came to light.

Among them were crescents, such as are seen as ear ornaments on

certain stelæ of Yāxhá and Tikal, several curved or even S-shaped

pieces, which, perhaps, were used as nose ornaments, a serrated

lance and a serrated plate, a piece in the shape of a cross, and

one composed of three leaves, a double lance, single lances, etc.

We may assume that near many stelæ, as well as in the interior or

on the exterior of temples, in addition to incense burners and

sacrificial bowls, there were placed certain death's-head masks or

other figures of perishable material tricked out with ornaments,

feathers, and locks of hair, which have long since mouldered away,

leaving behind only those of indestructible stone. For elsewhere,

in the vicinity of stelæ, objects of flint and obsidian are found

in addition to pottery sherds.[41]

It will be seen that figure 43, _a_, from Naranjo is practically

identical with figure 44; _h_, from Benque Viejo, as is figure 43, _c_,

from Naranjo with figure 40, _d_, from Benque Viejo, and figure 43, _k_,

from Naranjo with figure 44, _k_, from Benque Viejo, while the objects

shown in figure 43, _h_, _l_, _m_, respectively, from Naranjo very

closely resemble those seen in figure 44, _o_, _a_, _l_, from Benque

Viejo.

[Illustration: FIG. 44.--Objects from Benque Viejo.]

Close to Succots, which is an extension of the village of Benque Viejo,

a small mound was opened by Dr. Davis some years ago, within which were

found the objects illustrated in figure 45. These are all of obsidian

and of very eccentric and irregular shapes. The object shown in figure

45, _c_, closely resembles that shown in figure 43, _c_, from Naranjo,

and that in figure 40, _d_, from Benque Viejo, and still more closely

figure 44, _p_, from Benque Viejo, both being made of obsidian.

MOUND NO. 13

Close to Corozal, in the northern district of British Honduras, the sea

in its gradual encroachment along the coast had partially washed away a

small mound. On the beach, by the side of the mound, were found a few

fragments of human long bones, a small triangular arrowhead or javelin

head of black flint, a number of potsherds of coarse, thick, reddish

pottery, and two small obsidian knives. These had evidently been washed

out of the mound by the sea. The remaining part of the mound was dug

down. It was found to be 18 feet in diameter, less than 4 feet high at

its highest point, and built throughout of water-worn stones, sand,

and earth. Near the center and on the ground level were found human

vertebræ and parts of a skull, probably belonging with the leg bones

found on the beach. Close to these were found a small three-legged

earthenware bead vase, containing two pottery and one small polished

greenstone bead, together with one eccentrically shaped flint object.

This is probably meant to represent a "quash," or picote, with bushy

tail coiled over his back. It is rather neatly chipped from dark-yellow

flint. It measures nearly 3 inches from the curve of the tail to the

tip of the forepaw.

[Illustration: FIG. 45.--Obsidian objects found in a mound near

Benque Viejo.]

MOUND NO. 14

The next mound in which an eccentrically shaped flint was discovered

is a very large one situated far away from any settlement, at the

headwaters of the Rio Hondo, in northern British Honduras. The stone

implements found in it lay near the summit, about a couple of feet

beneath the surface. They were discovered accidentally by an Indian

(from whom they were purchased) while digging out a _halib_, or gibnut,

from its hole, and consisted of: (a) A spindle-shaped stone brazo 12

inches long by 9-3/4 inches in circumference, finely polished from

grinding corn on a metate. (b) A chipped flint brazo, 7-1/2 inches

long by 10-1/2 inches in circumference, polished on one side only.

Flint brazos are exceedingly rare, as the rough surface necessary for

corn grinding must have been difficult to produce on so refractory a

material. (c) Eight stone ax heads, varying from 3-1/2 to 8-1/2 inches

in length. (d) A dark greenstone ax head, 9-1/2 inches in length, with

two shallow notches, one on each side of a shoulder situated 3 inches

from the base, probably intended to afford greater facility in hafting

the implement. (e) Two well-chipped flint spearheads, one 10-1/4, the

other 7-1/2, inches in length. (f) An oblong block of flint 6-1/2

inches in length and 6-1/2 inches in circumference. This had probably

been used as a hammerstone, since it exhibits well-defined percussion

marks at each extremity. (g) A rather roughly chipped stellate disk of

flint, 10 inches in diameter, with 13 sharp-pointed triangular rays

or spines, each about 2 inches in length, at equal intervals around

its periphery. Near the center of this object is a natural hole 3-3/4

inches in diameter.

[Illustration: FIG. 46.--Flint object from Seven Hills.]

The upper part of this mound consisted of earth and blocks of

limestone; the lower part was not excavated. The implements were

found lying close together in a cache, loose in the soil. Numerous

rough potsherds were found, but there was no trace of human interment

discovered.

In the southern part of British Honduras, not far from Punta Gorda, is

a group of small natural elevations, known as Seven Hills. Upon the

summit of the highest of these, some years ago, the object illustrated

in figure 46 was found. This somewhat resembles a horseshoe with two

long bars, each tapering off to a point, projecting from either side.

It is very neatly chipped from grayish flint. Its extreme length is 16

inches. This implement was found just beneath the surface, covered only

by a few inches of soil. At a later date a number of trenches were dug

on the summit of this mound, but nothing except potsherds of various

kinds with flint and obsidian chips came to light.

[Illustration: FIG. 47.--Horseshoe-shaped flint object found near San

Antonio.]

In figure 47 is seen one of the finest of these eccentrically

shaped flints ever found in this part of the Maya area. It is

horseshoe-shaped, chipped to a sharp edge all round, and has six

sharp spines projecting from the outer periphery (one of which has

been broken off, as shown in the figure), with shallow indentations

between them. The implement, which is 35 cm. in its greatest diameter,

is made of nearly black flint, covered with a beautiful creamy white

porcelain-like patina. It was found by an Indian in the neighborhood

of San Antonio, on the Rio Hondo, which here forms the boundary line

between Mexico and British Honduras. He was idly scratching on the

top of a small mound, buried in the bush, with his machete, when a

few inches below the surface he came upon this very remarkable flint.

Unfortunately, he took no pains to locate the mound, and as the bush in

this neighborhood is literally covered with mounds in all directions,

he has never been able to find this particular one again.

The implement shown in figure 48 was dredged up from the River

Thames, near London, at a spot where foreign-going ships were in the

habit of dumping their ballast. There can be little doubt that it

came originally from British Honduras, as flint implements of such

large size and of this peculiar type are not found outside the Maya

area. This object, as may be seen, is a crude representation of the

human form; it is 9-1/2 inches in length and is neatly chipped. A

closely similar anthropomorphic specimen is preserved in the Northesk

collection, a cast of which may be seen in the British Museum.

[Illustration: FIG. 48.--Figure from River Thames, near London.]

It is extremely difficult to form any satisfactory theory as to the use

of these eccentrically shaped flints which will cover all the instances

in which they have been found. Teobert Maler, judging by the small

specimens, closely packed, which he found at Naranjo, considers that

they may have been used as ornaments upon death's head masks, placed

near stelæ and temples, the more perishable parts of which have

disappeared. This theory could hardly apply to the immense specimens

from the Douglas, Orange Walk, and Seven Hills mounds, some of which

are, moreover, obviously intended as weapons, and not as ornaments.

Stevens, the author of "Flint Chips," with only the three large

specimens found in a cave inland from the Bay of Honduras to judge from,

considers that they may have served as "weapons of parade, like the

state partisan or halbert of later times;" it is perfectly obvious,

however, that the zoomorphic forms from Corozal and Douglas, and the

small specimens from Benque Viejo, Naranjo, Kendal, and Santa Rita,

could not have been intended for this purpose. Finding small,

beautifully chipped crescents, crosses, and rings of obsidian and

varicolored flints, as have been discovered at Benque Viejo and Succots,

one would be inclined to think that they were intended as earrings,

gorgets, and breast ornaments, especially as one sees such forms

frequently recurring in the ornaments worn by figures on the stelæ in

the neighborhood. Finding the huge flints pictured in plate 15, _b_,

_d_, especially when associated, as they were, with the large flint

spearheads illustrated in plate 15, _c_, _f_, the conclusion that they

were intended as weapons would be almost irresistible.

The number of these objects found at each of the 11 sites which have

been described varies from 1 to 64. On 5 of the 11 occasions they were

undoubtedly associated with human interments; in 4 of the remaining 6

they were found lying, superficially placed, on the summits of mounds,

which for various reasons were not thoroughly excavated, and may or may

not have been sepulchral in function; in the two remaining finds the

flints were placed closely adjacent to sculptured stelæ, and these again

may have been used to mark the grave of some priest or cacique, though

they more frequently marked the lapse of certain time periods. The

commonest form assumed by these objects is the crescent or some variant

of it. Of the 11 sites excavated, this form was found in no fewer than

8. The crescent is in some cases quite plain, in some indented or spiked

along the convexity, and is in one instance furnished with long spines

on each side.

In every instance (except that of the chambered mound at Douglas) where

these implements were found in mounds they were placed quite

superficially at the summit of the mound; indeed at Benque Viejo, Seven

Hills, and Santa Rita it seems probable that they had not been buried

originally at all, but merely placed upon the summit of the mound and in

course of time became covered with a layer of humus from decaying

vegetation in the vicinity.

[Illustration: FIG. 49.--Flint objects from Tennessee.]

Similar flint objects have been found in other parts of the world,

notably at Brionio in Italy and in Stuart, Smith, and Humphrey Counties,

Tennessee. In figure 49, _b_-_n_, are shown somewhat rough outline

sketches of the Tennessee objects, and in figure 50, _a_-_p_, are

represented a selection of the most important objects found at Brionio,

now in the collection of the late Professor Giglioli at Florence. The

Tennessee objects are to be seen at Washington. The latter are small

when compared with the largest of the Maya specimens, but are neatly

chipped, whereas the Brionio objects are very crudely blocked out,

mostly from black flint.

It will be observed that figure 49, _c_, _d_, _g_, from Tennessee, shows

specimens almost identical with figure 50, _p_, from Brionio, and with

the turtle, pictured in plate 15, _g_, from the Douglas chambered mound;

again the spiked crescents, figure 50, _b_, _c_, _n_, from Brionio,

closely resemble the very much larger spiked crescent illustrated in

plate 15, _e_, from the Douglas chambered mound, and still more closely

the spiked crescent figured in "Flint Chips" (from Wilson, Prehistoric

Man, op. cit., p. 214). Though these objects are not found in Central

America outside the Maya area, the Aztec were sufficiently expert in the

art of flint and obsidian chipping to have produced them had they

wished. In figure 49, _a_, is seen the outline of a type of labret worn

by the Aztecs, chipped out of both flint and obsidian, which compares

favorably in workmanship with any of the objects from the Maya area.

In reviewing the evidence it would appear that these eccentrically

shaped objects were not employed either as implements or as weapons,

most of them being utterly unsuited in both size and shape for such

purposes; moreover, none of them show any signs of wear or use. Neither

were they used as ornaments, as many of them are too large and heavy,

while the more roughly chipped specimens would be quite unadapted for

such a purpose. Judging by the fact that 5 at least of the 11 separate

finds wore associated with human burials, it seems probable that these

objects were purely ceremonial in use; that they were most frequently,

if not invariably, buried with the dead, either on top of the

sepulchral mound, in close association with the corpse, or by the side

of a memorial stela; and that they were manufactured and used solely

for this purpose.

[Illustration: FIG. 50.--Flint objects from Italy.]

MOUND NO. 15

Mound No. 15 was situated on the south bank of the Rio Hondo, about

5 miles from its mouth, near the village of Santa Helena. This was

a conical mound 25 feet in height and 120 feet in circumference at

the base. Excavation was begun at the summit of the mound, which

was somewhat flattened. For the first foot the soil consisted of

light-brown earth, which contained nothing of interest.

[Illustration: FIG. 51.--Small cup-shaped vase from Mound No. 15.]

[Illustration: FIG. 52.--Objects from Mound No. 15.]

For the next 3-1/2 feet there were large blocks of limestone, the

interstices between which were filled with limestone dust and débris.

In these were found large quantities of potsherds, some well painted

and polished, together with part of the inferior maxilla of a

medium-sized carnivore, probably a puma. At a depth of 3-1/2 feet a

number of stone flags, each nearly 5 feet in length and from 4 to 6

inches in thickness, were exposed; on removing these a small chamber

appeared, of which the flags formed the roof. The walls of the chamber,

or cist, were built of squared stones mortared together; it was 6 feet

long, 6 feet high, and 4 feet broad; the floor was of light-brown, very

fine river sand. On carefully removing the sand the following objects

were brought to light at depths varying from 3 feet below the surface

of the sand to the bottom of the chamber: (a) A small round, cup-shaped

vase, shown in figure 51, painted bright yellow and finely polished.

It is 10 cm. high by 8-1/2 cm. in its greatest diameter. On its outer

surface are two grotesque monkey-like figures, the outline of one of

which is shown in figure 52 _a_. (b) A small thin bowl of the shape

shown in figure 52 _e_, painted yellow throughout, well polished, and

ornamented exteriorly with geometrical devices in red and black. (c)

A somewhat larger bowl than the next preceding, of the shape seen in

figure 52 _f_. The geometrical ornamentation on the outer surface is

executed in low relief, and was afterwards painted over. (d) A large

circular plaque painted yellow throughout, 42 cm. in diameter. This

plaque had been polished but shows considerable signs of hard usage

before burial. (e) A plaque-like vessel, 9 cm. in height, with the

design represented in figure 52 _d_, of a human face separated from a

dragon's head by the Maya numeral 7, repeated around the outer surface

of its rim. (f) A shallow plaque, 36 cm. in diameter, painted yellow

throughout, and polished; on the inner surface of the rim are repeated

twice, outlined in black lines, the bird and the curious mythological

animal seen in figure 52, _b_, _c_. (g) A basin-shaped vessel, painted

a deep reddish-brown and finely polished throughout, with a very

attractive and intricate device of interlacing diamond-shaped figures

around the inside of the rim. (h) A vessel closely similar to the

preceding, but smaller and not so well polished. It was broken into a

number of pieces when found. (i) A small round pot, with flaring rim,

of common red ware, showing no attempt at decoration. (j) Scattered

throughout the sand, in the midst of these pots, were found 35 very

small, flat, circular disks or beads, averaging about one-twelfth inch

in thickness. Some were of greenstone, others of a reddish-yellow stone

mottled with white. All were well polished.

[Illustration: PLATE 17

PAINTED BASIN AND COVER FROM MOUND NO. 16]

On removing the sand to a depth of 12 feet the bottom of the chamber was

reached. The floor, which was composed of hard mortar, measured 4 by 3

feet, as the chamber was somewhat funnel-shaped, narrowing as it

descended. On the bottom of the chamber were found a number of small

oyster and cockle shells, with fragments of human bones. Among these was

an inferior maxilla in fairly good state of preservation; from the facts

that the tooth sockets had disappeared, that there was considerable

atrophy along the alveolar processes and widening of the angle between

the horizontal and vertical sections of the bone, it had probably

belonged to a person of advanced age.

MOUND NO. 16

Mound No. 16 was situated about 2 miles due north of the last-described

mound, close to the north bank of the Rio Hondo, within the territory of

Quintana Roo. It was discovered by an Indian, who had cut a piece of

virgin bush with the object of making a milpa. The mound was 35 feet in

height by 250 feet in circumference at the base; in shape it resembled a

truncated cone, the flattened summit of which measured 30 feet in one

direction by 6 feet in the other. The mound was composed throughout of

rough blocks of limestone, the interstices of which were filled in with

limestone dust and an unusually large quantity of light-brown earth.

Excavation was commenced at the top of the mound; for the first 6 feet

nothing except a few potsherds was found. Scattered through the next 2

feet of the mound the following objects were brought to light; these

were mingled indiscriminately with the limestone blocks of which the

mound was built, quite unprotected by cist or chamber: (a) A

basin-shaped vessel 20 cm. in diameter, 10 cm. in height (pl. 17),

covered by a round conical lid with a semicircular handle. Both basin

and cover are painted black and polished, inside and out. Upon the

outer surface of the vase and the upper surface of the lid are incised

in low relief a series of pictographs, identical upon both. From the

nature of the design and the fact that the vase contained a number of

fragments of human bones, it seems probable that it was intended for a

cinerary urn. The design is of considerable interest and worthy of

detailed consideration. The most prominent object upon both the lid and

the vase itself is a naked human figure in a recumbent position, with

the arms flexed over the chest and abdomen and the knees and thighs

semiflexed. The ornaments worn consist of an elaborate feather-decorated

headdress, a labret, or nose ornament (it is somewhat difficult to

determine which), and large bead anklets and wristlets. Below the head,

on the body of the vase, is the conventionalized representation of a

bird (fig. 53) with extended drooping wings, and a rectangular object

occupying the position of the beak. On the lid, probably from lack of

room, this bird is represented only by the rectangular object, beneath

which is seen the conventionalized serpent's head, represented only by

the upper jaw, from which project the head and hand of a human being,

whom it is in the act of swallowing. This monster, with a human head

projecting from its mouth, is frequently represented in mounds in this

area, usually in the form of a clay figurine.

[Illustration: FIG. 53.--Conventionalized representation of bird on

vessel shown in plate 17.]

The next figure is probably intended to represent Quetzalcoatl, the

Cuculcan of the Maya, and God B of the Codices. It is the shrunken

bearded face of an old man, with a single tooth in the lower jaw, very

prominent nose, and a bird's head (probably that of the owl) in the

headdress. These are all well-recognized characteristics of this god.

At the back part of the headdress of the god, and connected with it,

is a human face. Immediately above the head of Cuculcan is depicted a

fish, with a flower-like object in front of its mouth (fig. 54), which

is probably connected with this god, who is frequently associated with

objects connoting water, vegetation, and fertility, as fish, flowers,

water plants, leaves, and shells.

[Illustration: FIG. 54.--Decoration on vessel shown in plate 17.]

The next figure probably represents Schellhas's God K of the Codices.

This god possesses an elaborate foliated nose, and is usually closely

associated with God B, as he is in the present instance; indeed Brinton

and Fewkes regard him as being merely a special manifestation of the

latter god, while Spinden is of the opinion that his face is derived

from that of the serpent so constantly associated with God B.[42] The

lower jaw of the god seems to consist of a dry bone.

[Illustration: PLATE 18

POTTERY FROM MOUND NO. 16]

[Illustration: FIG. 55.--Perforated beads found in Mound No. 16.]

[Illustration: FIG. 56.--Jadeite beads found in Mound No. 16.]

Immediately behind God K is repeated the design of the serpent

swallowing a human head, above which is a striated bar, whose sole

purpose seemingly is to decorate a vacant space. Above this again is a

bar with feathers or leaves projecting from it, which may possibly be

connected with the headdress of God B, and at the top is repeated the

figure of the fish, with the circular object in front of its mouth.

Next to these is again seen the head of the god Cuculcan, after which

the whole series recommences with the prone naked human figure. (b)

A vessel exactly similar in size, color, and shape to the one last

described (pl. 18, _a_). The outer surface is decorated by four curious

monkey-like creatures, sculptured in low relief, separated from each

other by ovate spaces inclosed in double parallel lines and filled with

cross-hatching. Above and below is a border of frets, also executed

in low relief. The faces of these monkeys are represented by a simple

oval, no attempt having been made to depict any of the features. The

hands are furnished with huge claw-like fingers, and the tails, which

are of great length, are curled over the back. The cover of this vessel

(pl. 18, _a_) is circular, somewhat funnel-shaped, 23 cm. in diameter.

Upon its outer surface is executed, in low relief, a monkey almost

exactly similar to those which appear on the outer surface of the vase,

except that it is somewhat larger and is seen in front view, not in

profile. The face of the monkey is carefully molded in high relief

to form the handle of the lid, while between his hands he grasps an

ovate object identical with those on the vase. (c) The lid of a vessel

corresponding exactly to the lid of the vessel first described. The pot

to which it belonged could not be found (pl. 18, _b_). (d) A pair of

cylindrical vases, each standing upon three short, hollow, oval legs.

[Illustration: FIG. 57.--_a._ Circular shell disks from Mound No. 16.

_b._ Greenstone ear plugs from Mound No. 17.]

Both are made of extremely thin, brittle pottery painted a dirty yellow

and polished throughout, with no ornament except a broad red stripe,

which passes obliquely around the whole of the outer surface of each

vase. (e) Two shallow circular plaques, painted reddish-brown, and

polished throughout, with a geometrical device in thin black lines

around the inner surface of the rim of each. (f) A quantity of bones,

probably those of a _halib_ or gibnut, and of a wild turkey. These were

found under a large block of rough limestone. (g) A number of univalve

shells, each about 1 inch in length, perforated at the apex in two

places, as if for suspension in the form of a necklace or ornamental

border.[43] With these shells was found half of a large cockle-like

bivalve, painted red throughout, and perforated, possibly for use as a

gorget. (h) Thirteen large, round, perforated beads (fig. 55). Some of

these are reddish in color, and show traces of polishing. With these

were the three jadeite beads pictured in figure 56; two of these are

cylindrical, with a knob at one end, while the third is nearly

spherical; all are finely polished; they are made of light and

dark-green mottled jadeite. (i) A single small oyster shell, with a

great number of cockle shells. (j) Two circular disks of shell,

represented in figure 57, _a_, exhibiting the front and back view. The

central part is of a deep reddish color, and is well polished. Each disk

is 5 cm. in diameter and is perforated at the center. They were probably

used as ear ornaments. Excavations were made in this mound to the ground

level, but no additional objects were found in it.

MOUND NO. 17

[Illustration: FIG. 58.--Obsidian disk inserted in tooth of skeleton

found in Mound No. 17.]

Mound No. 17 was situated within a mile of the mound last described,

on high ground, about 1-1/2 miles from the Rio Hondo, from which it

is separated by a belt of swamp. It was conical in shape, about 40

feet high, nearly 90 yards in circumference, and was built throughout

of large blocks of limestone, the interstices being filled with a

friable mortar, made seemingly from limestone dust, earth, and sand

mixed together. Near the summit was an irregular opening, about 4 feet

across, which led into a small stone-faced chamber, 15 feet long, 5

feet broad, and 6 feet high. The opening had been made by the falling

in of one of the flags which formed the roof of the chamber; this was

found within the chamber with a pile of débris. The floor was composed

of large flat flags, on removing one of which an aperture was made

which led into a second chamber, of exactly the same size as the first,

and immediately beneath it. The floor of this was covered to a depth of

about 12 inches with a layer of soft brown river sand, in which were

found: (a) Parts of a human skeleton, seemingly belonging to an adult

male, the bones of which were very friable and greatly eroded. In one

of the incisor teeth was inserted a small disk of obsidian, the outer

surface of which was highly polished (fig. 58). These ornamental tooth

fillings are rather rare, though they have been found from time to

time in Yucatan and as far south as Quirigua. They were usually made

from greenstone, obsidian, or iron pyrites, all highly polished, the

only teeth ornamented being the incisors and canines, usually in the

upper jaw. The plugging seems to have been exclusively for ornamental

purposes, not with any idea of filling a cavity, the result of caries

in the tooth.[44]

(b) A shallow plaque, 28 cm. in diameter, painted throughout a dark

reddish-yellow, and finely polished. Upon the upper surface was

outlined in fine black lines a bird, apparently a sea hawk, carrying

in its claw a good-sized fish, possibly a stone bass (fig. 59). The

artist probably witnessed this event many times, as the mouth of the

Rio Hondo, where stone bass abound, is a favorite fishing ground for

sea hawks and frigate birds.

(c) A number of painted and glazed potsherds of all sizes.

[Illustration: FIG. 59.--Bird carrying a fish outlined on shallow

plaque found in Mound No. 17.]

[Illustration: FIG. 60.--Cylindrical pottery vase found in Mound

No. 17.]

Beneath this second chamber a third was discovered, roofed in with rough

flags, of the same dimensions as the other two. The floor of this

chamber was cemented over; nothing except limestone blocks and mortar

was found between it and the bottom of the mound. Upon the floor lay a

solitary plaque, of a deep reddish-yellow color, the upper surface

divided by black lines into four equal spaces, in each of which was

crudely outlined in black a fish, probably meant to represent a stone

bass. On digging into the summit of the mound outside the area occupied

by the chambers, the following objects were brought to light: (a) A

cylindrical vase of light, thin, well-made pottery, 16-1/2 cm. high by

13 cm. in diameter, painted light yellow throughout and finely polished

(fig. 60). Upon one side of the vase, within an oblong space outlined in

black, are a number of curious mythological animals, above which is a

row of six glyphs, seemingly explanatory of the picture beneath (pl. 19,

_a_). Both animals and glyphs are very carefully executed in red, black,

and brown, on a yellow background. The lowest figure on the right

somewhat resembles that on a vase in the American Museum of Natural

History,[45] upon which the Long-nosed god is associated with bulblike

objects, flowers, and a bird (probably a pelican). On this vase the

Long-nosed god is seen with a bulblike object, possibly a root, from

which project interlacing stalks, at the ends of which are water-lily

buds.

[Illustration: PLATE 19

a. DECORATION ON VASE SHOWN IN FIGURE 60

b. DECORATION OF VESSEL FROM MOUND NO. 17]

Above these is a bird, possibly a sea hawk. The whole connotes water,

or fertility. (b) A second vase, similar in shape, but somewhat larger

(fig. 61), is painted yellow and polished throughout. Upon this is

depicted a cruciform object, with outgrowths from the upper and lateral

limbs of the cross, probably a highly conventionalized tree. (c) A

shallow circular plaque, 36 cm. in diameter, painted light yellow, and

polished throughout. Upon its upper surface is painted, in red and

black, a coiled plumed serpent (fig. 62), doubtless intended to

represent Cuculcan, the "Feathered Serpent." (d) Two circular objects of

polished greenstone, somewhat resembling broad-brimmed hats from which

the crowns have been removed (see fig. 57, _b_). Each has on the upper

surface of the brim a small ovate piece of mother-of-pearl, firmly

cemented to the stone. These objects were probably used as ear plugs;

with them were five small perforated spherical beads of polished

greenstone.

[Illustration: FIG. 61.--Larger pottery vase found in Mound No. 17.]

[Illustration: FIG. 62.--Coiled plumed serpent painted on plaque found

in Mound No. 17.]

At the base of the northern aspect of this mound was a small square

enclosure, surrounded by a stone wall 2 to 3 feet in height. On digging

into this, near its center, an alligator made of rough pottery, 15

inches long, was discovered. In the center of its back is a small

circular opening, covered by a conical stopper, leading into the hollow

interior, in which was found a small perforated polished jadeite bead,

in the form of a grotesque human face. Close to the alligator lay a

basin-shaped vessel, 28 cm. in diameter, painted yellow, and polished

throughout. In the center of this, outlined in thin black lines, is the

object seen in plate 19, _b_, probably meant to represent the two-headed

dragon so common in Maya art.

MOUND NO. 18

Mound No. 18, situated less than half a mile from the next preceding,

was 10 feet high, 70 feet in circumference, roughly conical in shape,

and firmly built throughout of blocks of limestone the interstices

between which were filled with earth and limestone dust. At the bottom

of the mound, near its center, resting on the ground, was a cist, about

2 feet in diameter, roughly constructed of large flags of limestone.

Within this were found two vessels: (a) A basin-shaped specimen of thin

pottery, painted reddish-yellow and polished throughout; on its inner

surface is depicted, in fine black lines, an object closely resembling a

four-leafed shamrock. (b) A vase of the shape shown in figure 63, 13 cm.

high and 13 cm. in diameter. This is made of rather thick pottery; it

is painted light yellow and polished throughout. On the outer surface

of the rim, outlined in thin black lines, is the glyph represented in

figure 64, which is repeated all the way round the circumference. No

additional objects were found in this cyst, nor were there any traces of

bones in it, or in the rest of the mound, which was afterward examined.

[Illustration: FIG. 63.--Pottery vase found in Mound No. 18.]

MOUND NO. 19

Mound No. 19, situated close to the preceding, was 6 feet in height,

with flattened top, built solidly throughout of limestone blocks and a

friable mortarlike substance. At the ground level, near the center of

the mound, were discovered two cists, placed side by side, separated by

a partition wall built of blocks of cut stone. Each cist was 6 feet

long, 3 feet broad, nearly 4 feet deep, solidly constructed of stones

mortared together. Neither the cists nor the body of the mound contained

anything of interest except a few fragments of bone in the last stages

of disintegration.

MOUND NO. 20

[Illustration: FIG. 64.--Glyph outlined on outer surface of rim of

vase shown in fig. 63.]

Mound No. 20 was situated at Pueblo Nuevo, about 6 miles from the mouth

of the Rio Nuevo, in the northern district of British Honduras. The

mound was about 100 feet in length and varied from 8 to 12 feet in

height and from 15 to 25 feet in breadth. It was built throughout of

earth, limestone dust, and blocks of limestone, a great many of which

had been squared. Immediately beneath the surface, running east and west

along the long diameter of the mound and nearly centrally placed in it,

was the upper surface of a wall, which had evidently at one time formed

part of a building of considerable size. This wall was built of finely

squared blocks of limestone mortared together, and was somewhat more

than 18 inches thick. It extended for 40 feet, turning at right angles

at both the eastern and western extremities and was broken by a single

opening, 3-1/2 feet broad at the center. The part of the wall left

standing varied from 2 to 3-1/2 feet in height and was covered on its

inner surface by a layer of smooth, yellow, very hard cement; the outer

surface, which still retained traces of painted stucco moldings, ended

below in a floor of hard cement 12 inches thick. The greater part of

these moldings had been broken away, but portions were still adherent to

the wall and great quantities of fragments, painted red and blue, were

found immediately beneath the wall from which they had been broken. The

most important of these were: (a) Two human torsos, one (the more

elaborate) of which is seen in figure 65, _c_. (b) Three human heads,

one of which is represented in figure 65, _b_, in situ. Both heads and

torsos are life size, and both are painted red and blue throughout.[46]

(c) Two headdresses, one of which is seen in situ in figure 65, _a_; the

other is almost precisely similar in coloring and design. (d) Fragments

of elaborately molded pillars, which had originally separated the

figures on the wall. A portion of one of these is shown in figure 66.

This design was repeated three times upon the front of the pillar, the

back of which was flattened for attachment to the wall. Great quantities

of fragments of painted stucco, of all shapes and sizes, were dug out of

the mound, but the human figures, with the pillars which separated them,

were the only objects the original positions of which on the wall it was

possible to determine with certainty. Resting upon the layer of hard

cement in which the wall terminated below, between 5 and 6 feet from the

eastern end and close to the wall itself, was found an adult human

skeleton, the bones of which were huddled together within a very small

compass, in a manner suggesting secondary burial. In removing these

bones nearly all of them crumbled to pieces. Throughout the whole mound

were found numerous potsherds, some of very fine pottery, colored and

polished; others thick, rough, and undecorated. Fragments of flint and

obsidian, broken flint spearheads and scrapers, and broken obsidian

knives were also found.

[Illustration: FIG. 65.--Torso, head, and headdress from Mound

No. 20.]

[Illustration: FIG. 66.--Fragment of pillar found in Mound No. 20.]

MOUND NO. 21

Mound No. 21 was situated near Corozal, in the northern district of

British Honduras. This mound had very steep sides; it was 50 foot in

height by 200 feet in circumference, and was built of blocks of

limestone, the interstices of which were filled with friable mortar.

Toward the west the mound joined a smaller mound, 20 feet in height. A

rumor was current among the Indians in the neighborhood that some years

before a number of fragments of clay idols had been found lying on the

surface of the earth near the mound. Excavations were consequently made

all around the mound, for a distance of 10 to 15 yards from its base,

through the alluvial soil, down to the limestone rock, a distance of 6

inches to 2 feet. These excavations brought to light enormous quantities

of fragments of crude, coarse pottery vessels, for the greater part the

remains of large hourglass-shaped incense burners, which had been

decorated on their outer surfaces with either a human head or an entire

human figure. Among these fragments were animal heads in terra cotta,

the snake and the dragon being of most frequent occurrence, but the

deer, alligator, and tiger also being represented. Heads of the owl, the

wild turkey, and the humming bird likewise were found. Fragments of

about a dozen human faces were brought to light, with the usual nose

ornaments, large round earrings, and labrets. Quilted cotton, stud

decorated breastplates, sandaled feet, and bracelet-decorated hands and

arms were also plentiful. The right arm seems in most cases to have been

extended, holding in the upward turned palm some object as a gift or

offering. These objects vary considerably; three are undoubtedly wild

turkeys, with their long necks coiled around their bodies; two are

palm-leaf fans attached to handles; one appears to be a shallow saucer

containing three small cakes; while two are pyramidal, spike-covered

objects, possibly meant to represent the fruit of the pitaya cactus.

With these fragments of pottery were found four entire oval pottery

vases, each about 4 inches high, standing on three short legs, each

containing a few clay and polished greenstone beads. Close to these was

a pair of vases, shaped like a right and left foot and leg, of the size

approximately of those of a child 7 or 8 years of age, greatly expanded

above the ankle. These vases showed traces of white and blue paint,

which had, however, almost completely worn off; around them were a

considerable number of fragments of the bones of deer and peccary, very

much decayed. Close to the base of the mound was found an oval block of

limestone, which formed the nucleus of a small hill, 2 to 3 feet high

and 5 to 6 feet in diameter, composed almost entirely of pottery

fragments, with a capping of humus. It is not improbable that this was

the spot on which the ceremonial destruction of these incense burners

took place, the fragments being scattered in all directions around the

entire circumference of the large mound.

MOUND NO. 22

Mound No. 22, situated at Saltillo, near the mouth of the Rio Nuevo,

northern district of British Honduras, was partially explored in 1908-9

on behalf of the Institute of Archæology of Liverpool University. The

mound was about 30 feet high; it was built of limestone blocks,

limestone dust, and rubble. It stands at one corner of a quadrangular

space measuring 80 by 35 yards, and elevated from 4 to 5 feet above the

surrounding ground level. This space is encompassed by four mounds,

joined by a bank or rampart averaging 10 feet high. Around the base of

the mound a great number of fragments of pottery incense burners were

found, with the images of the gods, which decorated them externally.

Eight complete heads and two broken ones were recovered, together with

arms, legs, bodies with quilted cotton breastplates and _maxtlis_,

elaborate headdresses, and various objects held in the hands of the

figures. These vessels are almost exactly similar to those found along

the valley of the Usumasintla and Rio de la Pasion, described by Seler

in his "Antiquities of Guatemala." Rude specimens, with the face of the

god only decorating the outside of the vessel, were found by Sapper and

Charnay in use among the Lacandon Indians a few years ago. The dress and

ornaments of these clay figurines, which vary from 1 to 2 feet in

height, are those found almost universally throughout the Maya area. The

large circular ear ornaments, with a tassel or twisted pendant hanging

from the center, the curious projecting curved ornament above the nose,

the small button-like labrets at each corner of the mouth, are present

in all, and are highly characteristic. On all the feet elaborate sandals

are worn, fastened by thongs attached between the first and second and

third and fourth toes, with a band passing around the ankle ending in a

broad dependent flap. Around the legs are plain bands and strings of

beads; around the wrists, strings of beads, in some cases fastened by an

ornamental loop. The breastplates are of quilted cotton, some very

elaborate, and decorated with beads, studs, and tassels, while below the

breastplate covering the genitals is the _maxtli_, or small apron,

commonly worn by both Maya and Aztec. The objects held in the hands

consist of birds, fans, globes, incense burners, and other less easily

distinguishable articles. The whole of the space within the earthwork

appears to have been sprinkled with these fragments of pottery vases and

idols, but it was only around the base of the large mound that entire

heads were found. The fragments seem to have been originally placed on

the earth, and in course of time to have been covered by a thin layer of

humus from decaying vegetation, as many of them still lie on the

surface, and nowhere are they buried more than a few inches, except at

the base of the mound, where earth from its side, washed down by rains,

would naturally have covered them with a slightly deeper layer. On

making excavations at various points within the enclosed space, the

floor was found to consist first of the earth which contained the broken

incense burners, with some blocks of limestone, and beneath this of a

layer about 4 feet thick composed of marl dust, very small fragments of

pottery, and rubble, welded together into an almost cement-like mass.

MOUND NO. 23

Mound No. 23 was situated near the northern end of Chetumal Bay, on

the east coast of Yucatan. The mound was 12 feet in height, roughly

circular in shape, and 12 yards in diameter at the base. The top was

flattened, and near its center a circular space 10 feet in diameter was

inclosed by a low, roughly built stone wall. On digging within this

space there were brought to light, immediately beneath the surface, the

following objects:

(a) Part of a large hourglass-shaped incense burner in rough pottery,

decorated with a human figure in high relief, 20 inches high.

Unfortunately the left arm and leg and part of the chest are missing

from this figure, which, judging by the headdress, curved nose, and

tusk-like teeth, is probably intended to represent the God Cuculcan.

The left foot is sandaled, and on the left wrist is a loop-fastened

string of beads, while over the front of the chest hangs a breastplate

of quilted cotton, decorated with flaps and fastened over the

shoulders.[47] Round the neck is a flat gorget, decorated with round

bosses, and in the ears are large circular ear plugs with tassels

dependent from their centers. Over the upper part of the nose is a

curious curved, snake-like ornament. The lofty headdress, with broad

flaps extending over each ear almost to the shoulders, has in front the

head and upper jaw of some mythological animal, the latter projecting

well over the face of the god, as if in the act of swallowing him.

Pointing downward from the plumed ornament on the right side of the

figure (the corresponding one on the left has been broken away) is

a crotalus head, which so often accompanies representations of this

god. The figure still exhibits traces of blue and white paint on that

part of the face protected by the broad flap of the headdress, and

originally doubtless the whole was painted in various colors, which

first exposure to rain and afterward burial in moist earth, have almost

completely obliterated. (b) An earthenware figure, 26 inches in

height, which doubtless at one time ornamented the outer surface of a

large incense burner. The left foot and leg are gone; the right foot is

covered with a sandal held on by a curved heelpiece rising above the

back of the ankle, and fastened in a bow in front of the instep, while

a leather thong passing between the great and second toe is attached

to this, holding the front part of the sandal in place. Round the leg

is a broad band, with a row of semilunar ornaments projecting downward

from it. The _maxtli_ has been broken away, but the quilted cotton

chest covering is still in position. This is held in place by bands

passing over the shoulders, and is ornamented by a row of five circular

studs passing down its center, with long tassels below, which must

have hung on each side of the _maxtli_, and tassels above, attached

near the shoulder, which hang down on each side of it. The throat is

covered by a broad band, decorated along its lower edge with four pairs

of small circular studs. Round the left wrist is a bracelet composed

of six flat oval beads, fastened in front by an ornamental loop. The

left arm is extended, and in the hand, held palm upward, is grasped

an acorn-shaped object from which project nine spikes. From each side

of the mouth project long curved tusks. The nose is of unusual shape,

being long, straight, and slender; the bridge is covered by a curved

snake-like object. The headdress rises 6 inches above the superciliary

ridges; its lower part consists of the head and upper mandible of

the bill of some bird, probably a hawk or eagle. Above this rises a

hollow cylindrical erection, with the upper border scalloped, supported

on each side by objects which suggest broad stone blades, hafted in

club-shaped handles, and ornamented in front with a plume of feathers.

There can be little doubt that this figure is meant to represent the

God Itzamna, as the sunken cheeks, the single large tooth on each

side of the mouth, and the prominent, though well-formed nose, are

all characteristics of this god. (c) An earthenware figure, closely

similar in size and appearance to those just described. Of the face

only the left eye, the left side of the mouth, and the nose are left;

the last named is short, rounded, and well formed, and is ornamented

at its root with a small round stud. (d) Fragments of a rough bowl

of yellowish pottery, which must have been of considerable size.

Unfortunately only four fragments were found; these exhibit on their

outer surfaces parts of a hieroglyphic inscription, roughly incised in

the clay while it was soft, with some sharp-pointed instrument. Of the

many glyphic inscriptions which have been found at different times in

British Honduras, painted on pottery and stucco and incised on pottery,

stone, and other material, none has proved to be an initial series,

which would fix the period in the Maya long count when the mounds,

temples, burial places, and other monuments scattered throughout this

colony, were constructed. According to recent researches the latest

date recorded by an initial series on the monoliths of Quirigua, in

Guatemala, is within about 70 years of the earliest date recorded by

any of the initial series found up to the present among the ruins of

Yucatan.[48] As the tide of Maya migration was undoubtedly from south

to north, and as British Honduras stands midway between Guatemala and

Yucatan, it is only reasonable to suppose that the colonization of

the greater part of it by the Maya took place at some period between

the abandonment of the cities of Quirigua and Coban, and the rise of

Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and other Yucatan cities. This theory is borne

out by the fact that the hieroglyphic inscriptions and pictographs

found in the colony are closely allied to those found both in the

northern and southern cities; moreover, the painted stucco and wooden

lintels so common in Yucatan, but not found in the south, are present

here, while the sculptured stelæ found in the south, but of extreme

rarity in northern Yucatan, are (though not very numerous and poorly

executed) found in British Honduras. (e) Large quantities of fragments

of rough pottery vases and bowls; some of these evidently belonged

to hourglass-shaped incense burners, 2 to 3 feet high, decorated

with incised lines and glyphs, raised bands, and studs, but without

human figures on their exterior surfaces. A number of these fragments

were taken down to the camp of some chicle bleeders in the vicinity;

unfortunately in the night the palm-leaf shelters caught fire and the

whole camp was burned to the ground, most of the potsherds being lost

or destroyed. Among these were probably the missing parts of the clay

figures and of the hieroglyphic-covered pot. The whole of the mound was

dug down, but with the exception of traces of a wall built of squared

stones on the ground level, nothing worthy of note was found in it. It

is almost certain that this mound had never been visited from the time

of its erection till its discovery last year by chicle bleeders looking

for sapodilla trees in this very remote corner of Yucatan. The clay

images were lying on the top of the mound, partially uncovered, and had

anyone, even an Indian, visited the place, they would almost certainly

have removed these, as there is always a ready market for _ídolos_, as

the Indians call every relic of their ancestors, among curio collectors

who visit Belize.

[Illustration: PLATE 20

INCENSE BURNER FROM MOUND NO. 24]

[Illustration: FIG. 67.--Another view of incense burner shown in

plate 20.]

MOUND NO. 24

Mound No. 24 was situated near the coast, at the northern extremity

of Chetumal Bay, in Yucatan. This mound was 10 feet high by about 10

yards in diameter. Upon the summit, which was flattened, were found a

great number of rough potsherds, partially buried in a layer of humus

from 6 to 12 inches deep. These were evidently fragments of incense

burners, as arms, legs, and parts of headdresses, faces, _maxtlis_,

and breastplates were plentiful among them. Near the center of the

summit, partially projecting from the earth, was discovered the almost

complete incense burner shown in plate 20 and figure 67. The vessel

which served as a receptacle for the incense is 15-1/2 inches high by 9

inches in diameter at the mouth. The human figure which decorates the

side of the vessel is 22 inches in height from the top of the headdress

to the sole of the sandals. The figurine was not complete when first

discovered, as the hands, arms, foot, _maxtli_, and feather ornaments

from the sides and headdress were missing; nearly all of these,

however, were unearthed, mixed with other pieces of pottery, not far

from the incense burner. The headdress consists of a flat, broad cap

with slightly projecting rim and large quadrangular flaps, which extend

downward and outward over the large ear plugs. The back of the cap

extends upward 3 inches; the crown is decorated with feather ornaments,

while on each side appears an object resembling half an ear of maize,

from the top of which depends a tassel. The nose is sharp, thin, and

prominent; starting on each side of it and passing down almost to the

angles of the jaw, where it ends in a little upward curl, is what might

be intended as either a mustache or some form of nose ornament. From

each angle of the mouth projects a circular labret; this evidently

passes behind the upper lip, which it causes to bulge considerably.

The ear plugs are large, round, and funnel-shaped (pl. 20); these, as

well as the shoulders, show traces of blue paint, with which the entire

figure was evidently at one time covered. Around the neck is a flat

collar decorated with five circular studs, to the sides and front of

which is attached a hollow cylindrical bar, which supports the quilted

cotton breastplate. The latter is decorated with six tassels, three

above and three below, and below it is seen the plain apron (_maxtli_),

which descends almost to the sandals. The shoulders are covered with

caps or epaulets reaching just below the armpits; on the forearms are

bracelets, fastened with loops on the inner side, and on the feet

sandals, held in place by vertical heelpieces and thongs, and decorated

with large flaps, which almost cover the dorsum of each foot. Attached

to the incense burner, and forming a background for the figure, are

projecting feather ornaments extending from the headdress to the elbow.

The mound was dug away to the ground level. It was found to be built of

blocks of limestone and earth, but nothing of moment was found in it

with the exception of numerous potsherds of all kinds.

MOUND NO. 25

[Illustration: FIG. 68.--Incense burner decorated with crude clay

figurine from Mound No. 25.]

Mound No. 25 was situated in the country of the Icaichè Indians,

Quintana Roo, Yucatan. The mound was discovered by the Indians when

cutting down virgin bush to make a milpa, or corn plantation. It was

a moderate-sized mound, about 10 feet high, and upon its summit,

uncovered, lay the objects illustrated in figures 68, 69, and 70.

Figure 68 exhibits a roughly formed clay figurine, nearly 1 foot in

height, decorating a small hourglass-shaped incense burner. Both

figure and vase are very crudely modeled in rough pottery; most of the

prominent characteristics of the carefully modeled and elaborately

decorated incense burner represented in plate 20 and figure 67 are

still retained. The large round ear plugs, with long flaps from the

headdress overlapping them, the horizontally striated breastplate, and

even a rudimentary _maxtli_, together with the extended position of the

arms, as if in the act of making an offering, and the background of

featherwork are features which may be recognized. There is exhibited,

however, a lamentable decadence from the art which fabricated the more

elaborate vase. In figure 69 may be seen what probably represents a

further stage of degeneration--namely, the substitution of the head

for the entire figure on the outside of the incense burner. The last

stage of all in the decadence of this branch of Maya art is to be seen

in the small crude bowls found by Sapper in the great Christa of the

settlement of Izan, and by Charnay in the ruins of Menche Tinamit.[49]

[Illustration: FIG. 69.--Crude clay figurine found in Mound No. 25.]

These bowls, each decorated with a roughly modeled human face, are

manufactured by the modern Indians and used by them in burning copal

gum in the ruins of the temples erected by their ancestors. Figure 70

shows a life-sized hollow head, in rough pottery, with a thin hollow

neck, probably used to carry around in processions on the top of a

long pole. There can be no doubt that these bowls and hourglass-shaped

vessels, each decorated externally with a human figure or face, usually

that of a god, were used as incense burners, since a number of them, as

already stated, were found in a mound at Santa Rita with half burnt out

incense still contained in them. Moreover, their use for this purpose

persists to the present day among the Lacandones[50] and even among the

Santa Cruz Indians. These incense burners occur most frequently in the

central part of the Maya area and are not common in northern Yucatan

or southern Guatemala. Three distinct types are found: The first

include the large, well-modeled specimens found in and around burial

mounds, decorated with the complete figure of the god (usually Cuculcan

or Itzamna), having every detail in clothing and ornament carefully

executed in high relief. These are all probably pre-Columbian, and such

as have been found seem to have been used only as ceremonial mortuary

incense burners, to be broken into fragments (which were scattered

through or over the burial mound) immediately after use.

The specimen shown in plate 20 and figure 67 is a typical example of

this class.

Incense burners of the second type are smaller, cruder, and probably

later in date than those of the first type. Some of these are decorated

with the entire figure, but more of them with the face only of the god.

Villagutierre tells us that the Indians of this region as late as the

end of the seventeenth century still practiced to some extent the rites

of their ancient religion;[51] and in the voyages which he describes

up the Rio Hondo, and to Tipu, the Spaniards must frequently have come

in contact with the ancestors of the present Santa Cruz and Icaichè

Indians, from whose territory the specimens shown in figures 68 and

69, typical examples of this class, were taken. During the early

years of the Spanish occupancy it is probable that the Indians, even

in this remote and little visited region, living in a constant state

of semiwarfare and rebellion, robbed, enslaved, driven from their

villages, with little time to cultivate their milpas, gradually lost

their ancient traditions and arts, and, long neglecting, ultimately

almost entirely forgot, the elaborate ritual connected with their

former religion. Such a decadence may be observed in comparing the

incense burners illustrated in plate 20 and figure 68. The very marked

facial characteristics of the former have given place to the crudely

modeled, vacuous face of the latter, resembling the work of a child;

while the elaborate dress and ornament, each minutest part of which

probably had a special significance and symbolism, though retaining

to some extent the form of their main constituents--the headdress,

breastplate, _maxtli_, and sandals--have almost completely lost the

wealth of detail which gave them significance.

[Illustration: FIG. 70.--Crude clay figurine found in Mound No. 25.]

Incense burners of the third type are decorated with a very crude

representation of the face only of the god, consisting in some cases

merely of slits for the eyes and mouth, with a conical projection for

the nose, on the outer surface of the vessel. Some of the faces are

represented conventionally by two ears, with ear plugs, one on each side

of the vessel, or by knobs of clay on its outer edge, which represent

the hair. Lastly, the incense burner, which may be recognized by its

hourglass shape, may be quite plain and undecorated.

The third type is probably the latest in point of time;[52] this

includes the crude face-decorated bowls still used by the modern

Lacandones,[53] among whom the ritual, as is so frequently the case,

seems to have survived almost in its entirety the faith which gave birth

to it. This is the more readily comprehensible when we remember that the

manufacture and use of these ceremonial incense burners was practiced

commonly by all classes of the people, not having been restricted, like

most other details of the Maya ritual, solely to the priests.

[Illustration: FIG. 71.--Small pottery vases found in Mound No. 26.]

MOUND NO. 26

Mound No. 26 was situated in a clearing about 7 miles to the south of

Corozal, in the northern part of British Honduras. There were about 20

mounds, irregularly grouped, in this clearing, varying from 6 to 12

feet in height and from 50 to 120 feet in circumference. The mound was

8 feet high by 80 feet in circumference. It was built of rough blocks

of limestone, limestone dust, and earth, tightly packed together,

forming a tough, resistant mass. The mound was completely removed

to the ground level, but nothing of interest except chips of flint,

fragments of obsidian knives, and potsherds was found till the ground

level was reached. Lying upon this, near the center of the mound, were

found the two small vases represented in figure 71, _a_, _b_. Each

is about 6 inches in diameter; the one marked _a_ is of polished red

pottery, nearly globular in shape; _b_ is of dark chocolate-colored

pottery, also finely polished. There was a space of about 4 feet

between the two vessels, in which were found fragments of human bones.

MOUND NO. 27

Mound No. 27 was situated within 100 yards of the next preceding,

compared with which it was slightly smaller. It was built of blocks

of limestone, limestone dust, and earth. No remains were found in the

mound till the ground level was reached. Resting on this, about the

center of the mound, lay a small vase (fig. 72), 8 inches in height, of

rough red pottery. Close to this were a few fragments of human bones

and some teeth. This mound contained nothing else of interest.

[Illustration: FIG. 72. Red pottery vase found in Mound No. 27.]

MOUND NO. 28

Mound No. 28 was situated close to Nos. 26 and 27, and was built of

similar material. It was 6 feet high by 120 feet in circumference.

On the ground level about the center of the mound lay a circular,

flat-bottomed bowl 8 inches in diameter, painted a dark chocolate color

and polished. A hole had been bored in its bottom and the bowl itself

was broken into three pieces. With it was an irregularly shaped piece

of flint about 5 inches in length, into which nearly 20 circular holes

had been bored. It would appear that this piece of flint had been used

to test the merits of various boring implements, as some of the holes

were shallow depressions, while others were half an inch deep. Most of

them were mere circular depressions of varying diameters, with a smooth

flat bottom, and had evidently been made with a solid cylindrical

borer, others, however, had a solid core projecting from their bottom,

and appeared to have been bored with a hollow cylinder; while a third

variety had a small indentation at the summit of this central core.

No further excavation was done in this group of mounds, as they all

appeared to be sepulchral, belonging to persons of the poorer class,

hence it was considered very improbable that objects of interest would

be found in them.

[Illustration: PLATE 21

a. SMALL VASE DECORATED WITH HUMAN HEAD

b. HUMAN BONES FROM MOUND NO. 29]

MOUND NO. 29

Mound No. 29, situated close to the seashore, near Corozal, was of

unusual construction, being built throughout of marl dust. It was a

low, flat mound, 2 feet in height by 25 feet in diameter. Nothing

of human origin was found in it with the exception of a few rough

potsherds. On reaching the ground level two circular well-like holes,

2 feet in diameter, were discovered, about 15 feet apart. At the top

both openings were covered with large blocks of limestone, on removing

which it was found that each hole was filled with marl dust, enclosing

in both cases a single male human skeleton. The knees had been forcibly

flexed on the thighs, and the thighs on the pelvis, while the back

had been bent till the head, which rested on the folded arms, almost

touched the symphysis pubis. Evidently the body had been doubled up

at the time of burial, so as to fit tightly into the cavity, and had

been further compressed by ramming down large stones on top of the

marl dust with which it was surrounded.[54] The bones in one of the

graves were in an excellent state of preservation, as may be seen from

plate 21, _b_; they are those of a young adult male, probably somewhat

more than 5 feet in height, of poor muscular development. The teeth

are excellent; the skull is decidedly brachicephalic, the measurements

being: Length, 15.4 cm.; breadth, 17.5 cm.; circumference, 52 cm.;

cephalic index, 113. Beneath this skeleton were found an unfinished

flint arrowhead, four fragments of small obsidian knives, and the

broken fragments of a small, round, unpolished chocolate-colored bowl.

The bones in the other cist, though placed apparently under precisely

the same conditions as the one first opened, were found to be so

friable that they crumbled into fragments when an effort was made to

remove them. Beneath them were found only fragments of obsidian knives.

MOUND NO. 30

Mound No. 30, situated close to Corozal, was completely dug down,

and was found to contain multiple burials. The mound was 8 feet in

height, roughly circular, and 40 feet in diameter. It was capped by a

layer of reddish-brown earth, 6 inches to 1 foot in thickness, beneath

which were alternate layers of soft cement, each about 1 foot thick,

and of small limestone rubble about 2 feet thick. Scattered over the

surface of the mound, just beneath the earth capping, were found a

number of fragments of clay figurines. The best preserved of these

were three human faces, an arm with the hand holding a small bird, a

bird's head, an alligator's head, and a plaited cotton breastplate. At

depths varying from 2 to 3 feet, six interments were found; of these

only a few fragments of the skull and long bones remained, not enough

to determine even the position in which the corpse had been placed at

burial. With the bones, in some cases close to them, in others at some

little distance, the following objects were discovered: One rubbing

stone (for grinding corn), 2 pear-shaped flints, 9 flint hammerstones,

1 ax head, 1 flint scraper, 1 broken hone of slate, 1 flint spearhead,

2 fossil shells, 2 pieces of brick-like pottery, 1 pottery disk, 3

small beads, and 1 shell.

On reaching the ground level of hard compact earth, it was found that

an oblong trench had been cut through the latter down to the limestone

rock beneath, 3 feet in breadth, and varying from 2 to 4 feet in

depth; this trench had been filled in with small rubble. In its inner

wall, at the north side of the quadrangle, three interments had been

made by scooping out small cists in the earth, depositing the remains

therein, and filling in with limestone dust and rubble. With one of

these burials was found a small three-legged pot, of rough, unpolished

pottery; with another, a vessel in the form of a quadruped, 7 inches

in length, the identity of which is difficult to determine; and with

the third a small saucer-shaped vessel of red ware, and a nearly

spherical vessel of dark polished red ware. Within the latter were

discovered a few small animal bones, some freshwater snail shells (as

are found at the present day in the neighboring swamps and eaten by the

Indians), and a few bivalve shells. It seems probable that this vessel

contained food, either as an offering to the gods or for the use of the

deceased in his passage to the next world. It is not uncommon to find

considerable accumulations of the shells of conchs, cockles, snails,

and other edible shellfish, with the bones and teeth of deer, tiger,

gibnut, snake, and (along the seashore) manatee, in British Honduras

mounds; but the remains of food offerings contained within a vessel are

of rare occurrence.[55]

A number of these large flat mounds containing multiple burials have

been from time to time completely dug down near Corozal, in order to

obtain stone for repairing the streets. Beneath nearly all of them were

found trenches cut through the earth down to the subjacent limestone.

These trenches varied from 2 to 5 feet in breadth; in the case of

the smaller mounds they formed a parallelogram, a triangle, or even

a single straight line; in the larger mounds two parallelograms were

joined by parallel trenches (see fig. 23). They were invariably filled

with small rubble, and a few of them contained interments in their

walls. The purpose of these trenches is difficult to surmise, as they

could hardly have served as foundations; drainage was unnecessary;

and, while the trenches themselves were never employed for sepulchral

purposes, it is only occasionally that a few burials are found within

cists excavated in the earth along their margins.

Three kinds of burial seem to have been commonly employed among the

ancient inhabitants of this part of the Maya area. The poorest class

were buried in large flat mounds, some of them a half an acre in extent

and containing as many as 40 to 50 interments. The body was usually

buried with the feet drawn under the pelvis, the knees flexed on the

abdomen, the arms crossed over the chest, and the face pressed down on

the knees; the position, in fact, in which it would occupy the smallest

possible space. With the remains are usually found a few objects of the

roughest workmanship, as flint hammerstones, scrapers, and spearheads,

pottery or shell beads, stone metates and henequen scrapers, small

obsidian knives and cores, and unglazed, rough pottery vessels. In the

second class of burials, each individual has a mound, varying from 2

to 30 feet in height, to himself. Several mounds of this class have

already been described from the neighborhood of Corozal. The objects

found with interments of this class are usually more numerous and of

better workmanship than those found in the multiple burial mounds,

though they do not show much greater variety. The position of the

skeleton, where it has been possible to ascertain this, is usually the

same as in the multiple burial mounds; occasionally, however, it is

found in the prone position, and, in rare instances, buried head down.

The third mode of burial was probably reserved for priests, caciques,

and other important individuals. The interment took place in a stone

cist or chamber, within a large mound, varying from 20 to 50 feet in

height. The skeleton is found in the prone position, surrounded by

well painted and decorated vases, together with beautiful greenstone,

shell, obsidian, and mother-of-pearl beads, gorgets, studs, ear plugs,

and other ornaments.[56] Some of these mounds contain two or even three

chambers or cists, superimposed one upon the other. The skeleton is

then usually found in the top cist, the accompanying objects being

placed in the lower ones. In one instance partial cremation seemed to

have been practiced, as fragments of half-burned human bones were found

in a largo pottery urn.

MOUND NO. 31

Mound No. 31 was situated close to the Rio Nuevo, about 16 miles from

its mouth, in the northern part of British Honduras. It was a somewhat

flattened mound, 15 feet in height, built of blocks of limestone,

limestone dust, and earth. At a depth of 9 feet, the angle of a ruined

building, formed by two walls averaging 2 feet high, intersecting at

right angles, and built of squared blocks of limestone, was brought

to light. The walls enclosed part of a floor of smooth, hard cement.

Numbers of blocks of squared stone were found throughout the upper

part of the mound, which had evidently at one time formed part of the

ruined building. Resting on the cement floor, close to the wall, were

found nine pottery vessels, covered with limestone dust. Five of these

were of the type shown in figure 73, _a_, of dark-red, rather coarse

pottery, 12 inches in diameter at the rim. One, pictured in figure 74,

is the usual Maya chocolate pot, similar to the one already described

(see fig. 24, _g_), except that the spout, instead of bending inward

toward the vessel, passes directly upward parallel to its perpendicular

axis, an arrangement which must have rendered it far easier to drink

from the vessel or pour fluid out of it. The three other vessels found

are illustrated in figures 73, _b_, _c_, and _d_; _b_ is of polished

chocolate-brown pottery, 3 inches in diameter by 5 inches in height;

_c_ is of thick red pottery, 3 inches high, with two small handles

for suspension, one on each side; _d_ is of coarse polished red ware,

unusually thick and clumsy, 12 inches high by 8 inches in diameter.

Each of these vessels contained a single small polished greenstone

bead. No other objects were found associated with them, and there was

no trace of human bones. Excavations were made in this mound to the

ground level without results. The lower part of the mound was built

of large blocks of limestone and rubble, held loosely together with

friable mortar.

[Illustration: FIG. 73.--Pottery vessels found in Mound No. 31.]

[Illustration: FIG. 74.--Chocolate pot found in Mound No. 31.]

MOUND NO. 32

[Illustration: FIG. 75.--Pottery vessels found in Mound No. 32.]