The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-28

Discoveries In Central America OF Monu-
ments Of Antiquity.
Mr.. i. G. Squer has sent TO the London Ahesdtm the
translation of letter. received from Done Jose Antonio
Urrua, cura OF Juapa, State OF Guatemala, Central
found in b.. parish The existence Of these monuments
being nov for the rst time made known 70 the world,
and the general interest surrounding former discoveries
In that direction, will render the communication, no
JurArA, Guatemala, Jan. 8.
SR-Sharrg in thoze archaeological tAs,es which for
unSeiy are spreading In this country, rich 10 monu
ments Of an ancient civilization, have lately de voted
some time stuoy OF the Antiquities Aliug within
The extensive parbh under my charge and Of which
propose 10 give you some brief notices hrs In reference
10 the nne Iuins hitherto unknown OF the very ancient
10 me southwark AND not far from tho town of Coma
pa are some steep mountains, The bases OF which
the boundary between Guatemala and san Salvador.
Upon the highest OF these mountains is IN extensive
plain, drained by multitude Of small streams, the
Of which, uriipg common char mel precip
tated over eoge oi rocks nfteen YARDS In height and
mpgle With those Of tho river forming one Of the most
caiaracts IN THIS department Upon the highest
part Of this PLAIN found tho remains OF ancient city
Of the primitive inhabitants OF America, which have cue
cessiuy td the stacks Of time, and the ncsvy walls
OF which ostentasously TO defy The operations
the Clements. The very ofty positon Of these ruins
nom which may be traced The majestic course OF the
river when flows base Of The mountains even TO
he AGA, and from which The eye traverses the wide
plains dotted WITH villages Of the neighborpg State OF
saI salvador taxing volcanoes Of Chingo and lxal
co. the American Vesuvns with ix plume Of smoke RS
ing mid heaven, aud including the lakes of HujA and
The ruins sipce indicates high appreciation OF the
sr nd and beautiful On he part OF the builders Of the
Gent city.
The pisce where theseruins are found as have said
lie known by the name Of Cinaea hecallo which, In the
mixed idlom OF Nam and Mexican, now spoken by the
Ieope Of this district, sgnin,s knotied rope (core
s.rdado)-eiven peroaps py prinitve nhabitsnts
Of me many vines found In hcae mountsrs
ana qIed in bnors together the frames Of The hus and
The ais or remains Of the wall Of the city, describe
an oval figure within which various roads or streets may
he trar rad inns srbte ranenn and man
ruined edinces The materials Ct construction primer
psy thin rtones, or species CT ssie United by kind
melted lead (pi0mo d,riiao). Amongst the monu-
mtnu, there are three which claim special notice.
en fly s,csvssed in the sod rock ana having IN door
opening towards the east On the Arcnway Of the en-
trance, which is formed OF slabs united 10 each other,
found sculpured Representations Of u and moon,
ar in the interior are found some herogy phics This
monument Is Known amorgst the Indians rs Teetunal,
sore OF the sur" Besides the bash Ttse these stones
bear hierogy phcs painted with kind OF red vArnish
which, twhsanang rs long exposure TO the weather
remains unin paired Many Of tho stones foand In exoa
vAns In oil parts OF those ruina, are painted with his
ysrpish.
Of the sublerranesn pssrsges found amongst these
rulls, there one which has become celebrated and
sl the subject many popular Stories IS having been
The retreat VI celebrated bandit, named fsrtdeno Who
vas Dsaliy captured here by The people Of Comapa Do
ireass Ct the superttous lndisns not in,
provided myself with batchei and torch Of psne, and
sneItd Alter many difficulties succeeded IN reaching
knd OF saloon where found various blocks OF
carved with ,he arms OF the ancient rudans In ali re-
spscu similar To Others which had previously found IN
otnsr parts Of be runs and sert 10 the President oil
Guatema In 1888
The second notable object and Which Is no less worthy
OF Auenton, 10 great sab CT stone, covered with In
serpsns hi,fos yphCs, which, from The nale kaos
have been aoe 10 obtain OF their meaning, appear
human NE 10 a. "a Dc e. "a ~ sas ass.a
The nriis nee, symbol Of lie the laas skui, en-
BEN Of deslh.
The third object Ia Wild animal resembling . tiger,
sculpured IN tlone rock Of great szs, and which
forfeiture intended a. monument CON mcmorsiiye
of some great victory. Tho this jscture
,re mao In tan town (Comaps1 AZ IN most of the
Indian towns, the cu,tom 10 st general Of preserving
knowledge Of srest events In Their hitcry by means Of
dances the pucic rqusrcs the Gays evenings OF
trest rolsmriuec. IL Ia most interesting for one who
,hsse tails, AZ he can merely Obtain seine fnowesre Of
The remote traditions and events In TIE history OF
the Indians In one OF these tdis which have several
tunes witnessed, 10 Represented q great battle rne
ctmpany, dressed In ire tkns, and wearing the beads
Of spimsls their own, are divided intotso sections
and airspged AGAINST each other. Before commencing
The asek one parry makes propositions Of peace 10 she
| Other, vhco are rejected TIE signals ot bsssie Is
then given, accompanied with Wild shouts Arcr long
contest victory declares In favor Of the yarty which
bears The head Of deer. Al tue end Of the Representa-
len the ysrqoi,hed party leaves he ground, and we
cher with lolc, traces In the the figure OF soae
sninsi The carved representation Of an snimal 70
which have eicrIed and tho oisssoce from the ruined
cily here found, lead 70 believe that this nonu
men, refers 70 The tame event with the bale which
have Oct ribtd.
Thtse, ar are amongn the most remarknbie orJects
found In snoiert and ruined ty 0uide Of the walls,
end I'm q lrie plain net far distant, . number W
mounds which, doubtless are the burial places Of the
dead. Tnc proporcus OF tts,e rude sepulchrcs, uu
thsded By expresses and unmarked by chisced stones,
reverhees convey 20 ne the probable poeiuon and in
nuerce OF The dead whom they II II . custcm
l preserved ar,tnsst the Inoans 70 throw handful
q Garth stone uron the grave OF the distinguished
dead ass ribute 20 their memory The more numerous
these contributions tho higher The iumuus which thus
\ GRADUALLY accumulated.
bsvetbu, riven you a few Ct the no,es which have
made upon the ancient ruins IN this psrimeet hope
ston the pleasure Of sending you others Mean
uue may mention that have, strcesbly 20 promise,
zen, eophs az Of the heroslyrhos. which have
alluded 70 above 10 GuaWmsls 10 the OF the Able
Braueur de Bonrbours. Your obecisnt servant 40,
HOSE ANTONIO uRRIfTIA