The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-10-27
tFor the Pioneer.l
America a Land Of Antiquities.

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America a Land Of Antiquities.
Throughou the entire length and breadth Of this
immense couutry-washed, as il is, by the waters oI
two mighty oceans, and Astounding IN natural
cesenornous, beyond what is possible conceive,
we find much 10 adm in the aspect and beauty oi
nature; and whether travel from the distant shores
Of Maine and New Brunswick to the golden sands Of
California and the shores Of the great Pacific, or
from the bright crystal lakes of Minnesota the
orange groves Of Florida, behold throu, hout this
immense extent the features Of nature grand aud beau
tliui in every possible form ard aspect. The Nine
roIogst, Geologsi, the Naturalist, the Botanis, and
even the Antiquarian have all rich field here.
Stange it may appear, America sbounda in An
tiquties, extensive, beau,iful and majestic,
To rival hose of either Thebcs or Nineveh. Ru-
ms Of ancient cities, of immense extent fo.i6ca,ions,
mounds and pyramids; temples, with walls built Of
hewn stone-showing refined taste m architecture
and adorned with human 6gures, beautifully executed ;
large affairs, ornamented with herOg iphics, probably
CIV record VI those no reared them, but which
has been able dscipher; OF ancient pala
nth beautiful specimens Of soul and painting,
with many other mar%s Of an lent greatness, prove
Ia It's that Tins Is not new world, hut that power
ul empire existed at very remote period Of time,
eemng with population highly skilled in arts, and
in state OF civilization far beyond any thing we have
been led conceive Of the aborginees, previous to
the disc very of the continent by Europeans
The Antiquities Of America extend from the east
shores Of Maine and Massachusetts, to the Paci-
Gc, and iom the great Lakes and British dominions
to Peru and La Plata, in South America; in fact
throughout the extent Of both continents. Immense
forests grow the ruins of large cities aud the
gigantic size of the trees with indications that otha
generations OF trees sprung up and grew before them
proves that the RUNS we're an eXisiance before the
Christian Era. In every portion Of the United States
interesting have been discovered. In the State
Of New York have been found ulpured 6g
If lie ,f
tel ia style far superior to any thing exhibited by
any Of the existing tribes Of Indians. The State of
Ohio abounds in ruirs of towers, Notifications, with
extensive mounds and pyramids. At Marietta, in
this State, beautiful pottery, silver and copper
ments, and pearls Of great beauty and lustIe, have
been dug up from the earth. ia The caves Of Ten
nessec and Kentucky, rnnmnes have been found in
high state of preservation, clothed with cloths and
skins Of various texture inlaid with feathers; like
discoveries have been made at Carrolcn, near Mil
waukie, in the State of Wisconsiu-funs OF huge
fovti6caton appear. Similar ruins appear IN the
State Of Missouri. Ou the south side Of the NJ issou
ri River, in the western portion Of this State il
nclosure Di 500 acres, which includes the runs
uf building, (no doubt ancient tower,) with walls
80 feet hgh, and so feet wide the base, attached
10 which a redoubt and citadel, with work much
resembling the structure Of Il tower IN Europe. But
il is ia the south Of Mexico, that magnificent and
beautiful ruins present themselves in abundance. -
RUNS Of ma jesc cities, and magnificent temples and
aitars, with beautiful works of sculpture tastetuliy
wrought; and palaces ADORNED with paintings-coirs
chiefly SKY blue and sh,-green-whlch show, by
their richness and elegance 10 be the work Of high
iy cultivated people.
These RUNS majestic and beautiful in appearance,
but ove,erown with thick forests Of mahogany and
cedar OF immense dimensions and great aye, prove 10
the world that great empire eNisted here AZ very
remote period Of time, and that this empire tcemed
with immense population of people, highly skilled
I " fia me Ch.uIc md N a ed al
civilization. The Ia De found
at Uxmal and Paicnque, III the south east OF Mexico.
AT U xn.a, are immense pyramids, coated with stone,
and Gladrangular stone edIhces aud terraces. The
highest OF these pyramids rs t3o feet, and on the
summit it supports temple; OF the tacadcs OF
the temple four human figures, in stone, with
great exactuess and elegance. The hands crossed
upon the breast, the head Is covered IN something
like a helmet, about the neck Is garment Of the
skin of alligator, and over each body is figure OF
4 deaths lead and bones.
Al Paienque are immense ruins, CITY of great 4
tent, with the remains Of royal palace. One temple,
that Of Copau, 500 feet by $50, and supposed
have been as large ST. Peters al Rome. Another
temple Of g,eat dimensions here hay ing an entrance
by portics 100 feet long and 10 broad il stands
an elevation OF 60 feet The pillars Of the Portico
are adorned with bierogy phics and various other
devices. Different objects Of worship have been
found--,epresen,ations Of the gods who wor.
hi ped IN th,s country. These temphs 5, with four
teen large buildings, and many other objects Of curl
osty stand here monuments Of ancient greatness
to remind Us Of the remote origin OF mighty empire
This city has been described the lhetes Of Anne
rica. and travellers have supposed that mnst have
been slty in circumference, ana contane pop
uaiion of 3 600 900 of soulsn
Centuries have elapsed, and dynasties succeed
ed eNch other before such orders o IchItectre wer.
introduced, and a length OF time must have pare,
before an empire would become sufficiently power.
70 erect such temples, and possess a city Of -ucl
vast extent. In lnokng lack To the past fee! li
terested in the imagination that lliis people wei
once in the noon-day OF glory, ENJOYING all The irui,
and ,xuies of an advanced civilization, but " be-
we be hold these ruins, melancholy reflection mus
at once seize our minds. The ground where onc
nations met in their stength and power. wild beast
now roam, and venonlous seTpents wend their way
and over these vast cities, where the busy hun
Of industry and the voice of meriimcnt resounded
grows the vast cedar, whose branches the ON
Ciaters his discOrdaut notes, aud the tat sleeps d
meridian. IN this country il exhibited the arges
pyramid IN the word-ihat of Choiua, near Pucbla
il covers A acres, and about 200 feet his on i;
summit was a temple, and in the ,n,erior has bee
discovered vault, ro.ied 18th beams of wood, con
tanning skeletons and idols; several smaller pyramid
surround this large one. Another larger ps rand
, here situated. II appears TO have been formed b
cntting hill into artificial shape. Its Dimension
are inrnense, being nearly three miles III cicunioi
epce and about 400 feet high. Ii il divided I'M
terraces and slopes, covered With g'sfturns, stage
, and basions, elevated above the other, ard q
formed with large stones skiiiu Gu, aad joined with
oui any Cement In respects the sty le Of a'ch
lecture resembles The Goihic being massive and dl
rae, in other respects it resembles the Egyptian
vet The general construction, manner and sly k OF arc
tec,u.e is different from any hns hitherto describe
ia the world. As in Egypt, hIerogiyphics cut @
, stone, denote remarkable events, which man ha
vet been able to deeper. DARK shades rest on tn
sotiauties of America, and few rays Of light enlive
the gloon. We have ancient history to inform
the events of Egyp,-ho~ that empire Was founded
, and how it prospered and ielse have the o
record of Babylon and Nineveh, Of Greece, An
Rome, and Caithsge--but not the least ipfornatio
have we relative to those uho erected these cities
what people and from whence they carue; not ra
Of Iieh, to dspel the dark gloom which seem, to
On The earlv history Of America. Architecture scur
we painting, and all the arts that sdo.n civ,iize
life. have lourished in this country at period Ia
remote There is evidence sufficient TO prove tha
these cities we're in ruins at least sizses aghtee
suadrsd yars ago. in Pslenque is the reEasns Of a
altar. over which grows an immense cedar. who's
powerlul roots enshrine it. This " hole eii is over
; grown with mahogany and cedar trees, Of enornou
SIZE The concentric circks Of some Of these trees
tho ua NOUN cvrle for a year--haye hee, coun:e0