Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-14
The Mysterious Palenque Tablet AT
the Smithsonian.

Great efforts are being now made by phliolo-
gists TO solve the problem OF the Maya language
and to read the inscriptions obtained from the
stone monuments found scattered throughout
Iucatan. They are supposed to record details
in the early history OF the nation or give an
account of their mythology. The above-men-
toned tablet has been in Washington a number
OF years, an undeGiphered mystery to all who
have looked upon IL, and Professor Baird the
secretary, has at length determined to place it
fully before the eyes of the student of lingustics
and If possible make it yield up the secret which
II has so profoundly kept Plaster casts of il
are I'D preparation, and with photographs and
engrayingS, reinforced by description OF the
stone which he has ordered TO be prepared, IL
Will no doubt be made TO assist in unfolding the
mystery OF the Maya hieroglyphicS which have
Deen so long undecfphered, or practically So
IL was presented TO the Old National Institute
or Washington by Mr.. Charles Russell, OF Phil
adelpnla, ana the reception of it was recorded
IN the bulletin of the Institute as follows; ..De
IL, lS42-A box containing hferogIvphicaI Slah
OF stone from Palenque, Central America, from
Cnarles RuSsell, Consul OF the L. States at La
may be roughly stated at six feet biph and
three feet wide, the thickness being four
or nEe inches. It's face is divided into one
Lar quadrangular shape, forming what may he
called cartouches OF Shields. on which are in
cisco groteSque representations Of the human
nand or eye on some other feature but i'm most
cases the figure is entirely arbitrary. The late
Dr. Berendt, who spent many years investigar
Ing the Maya language in Central America
when in this city few years ago rpported The
existence of an additional Slab of which oltr
Washington stone forms part, and OF this the
institution has secured an engraving so that the
Wn0ie subject Will be presented to scholars.
Whilst the Maya is stiu spoken nv All Tho
Inulan trlpeS OF lucatan and adjoining pro-
VlnceS, ana there are religious books such as
nsIlils. calecnIsflS and psalters eXtant In it,
yet being written with our alphabet they can
ln no way be used In Interpreting these aBcienI
characters. The Indians themselves were 81
teTfofiZed ana down-trodden by the Spaniards
from thelr hrSt fnroadS into the couitry thai
Iley nave become degenerate, Surly and gross
ly ignorant. They still. however cling moSt
per pef1tlnaceously nae TO speaking their own language.
ana for the more perfect communication the
spanish, residents also speak it, In the early
years or Spanish domination the bishons
g5aIheied together vast piles OF the Maya BOOKS,
iuos, images, sacred vessels and temple furDi-
lure, forming vast holocaust. in the public
squares OF the great cities and DESTROYED every
evidence attainable by them OF Indian htstory
ana mythology. one OF these bishops. Lauda
oy name. says of their books. :. they COM lined
nothing which had not superstitions and faI.i-
,hs ues oi the defil; we burned them ALL at which
Iney were exceedingly sorrowful and troubIed
They called it an duto-da-fc, and similar on
RACES were pefpetrated in Mexico.
Inere are now known but three manuscriprs
IL. we Maya character. vn:-The Mexican man
uscript No. ? of the Imperial Library an Paris.
the Dresden Codex, and the Manuscript Troa
no, no. vi the lrst nothing is known. as it has not
pee neeh investigated except TO make it certain that
CoiiCopUlu Nlln tilOSp OF tna
scuiptured tablets. The others have been
st9AeQ 70 some extent by scholars. but with re-
suits Which have not been accepted as satisfac-
and literature. Bishop Lauda. it seems prepared
an account OF the Maya Indians, a description
OF their town, &c but, better than all. gives an
aiphaDet, which Is the most probable Key that |
Is known to us for reading the hlerogly pIlics /
found on their ruined edihceS. This mas been |
applied TO this purpose by the distinguished /
life to the study OF American primitive history |
IL seems, however, that even with the aid Of this
alphaDet several very different interpretations /
can De mace OF any given series OF characters. |
been generally received with assent. This /
great Aaericdniste is dead and it is feared |
leaves no equally competent and indefatigable !
Ing contribution from the Smithsonian Institu-
tion viii yield the desired result among existing
lnSulStS, OF stimulate new man TO arise and !
master the difficulty as DR.. Young or NJ. Chaul-
pOliOn did for Egyptian hierOglyphics