The Opelousas courier., 1890-02-22

Another feature of this department is
the world famed mounds, now fast dis
appearing, but at present a subject of
continual and ardent study by the Eth 1
biological Bureau and archaeological Sc
cieties of the country. They have been
objects of intense interest ever since they
were first discovered, and have been de-
scribed in many publications. To select
n or two of the typical forms and re-
produce them would be comparatively
inexpensive. The earth taken from the
excavations for the exposition buildings
could be utilized and the labor necessary
for their erection would cost very little.
The dwellings of the Natchez Indians
were distinguished for al advanced type
of aboriginal architecture. They were
equal to the houses of European peasants
of 200 years ago. They were built in a
manner far superior to that of other
Indians and form an interesting study.
They are large, roomy dwellings, built
of sun baked mud, mixed with straw,
and arched over dome shaped roofs
of cane. They were placed in regular
order around an open square. Two of
them were larger and more pretentious
than the others. One was the residence
of the Chief, the other the Temple of the
Sun. Around the latter was built a
strong wall of mud, planted with stakes,
upon which were stuck the heads OF
| enemies sacrificed to the sun. Here the
| perpetual fire was kept burning upon a
sort of rude log altar, a survival OF
ancient sun worship. Sometimes these
temples were erected upon mounds, as
was, we believe, the practice among the
mound builders themselves, of whom the
| Natchez Indians are credited by many to
| be a remnant.
There are also, although more rarely,
recorded instances of dolmens or upright
granite stones arranged in orderly array,
as is frequently observed in Europe, hav-
ing been discovered in this country.
They are more numerous than has been
generally understood, and form a
very curious and notable collection from
their evident antiquity, probably taking
precedence of all u prehistoric remains
and from their mysterious meaning form
ing a subject of much speculation and
surmise. Being religious in their object,
it is of course more difficult to under
! stand their purpose, and fewer of such
monuments have been spared by mans
ruthless hand. They are worthy of pres
ervation as the mute evidence of races
that have lived their day and gone into
oblivion, monuments of q desire to leave
/ cnrnofhsre vooor1oI hohind
Any attempt to fttingly reproduce the
colossal erections of Central America
would be a gigantic and almost hopeless
task, taxing the resources of an Emperor.
They come, however, within the scope
of such an exhibit as / suggest, and it
would lack a most necessary portion if
they were entirely omitted. Such an ex-
hibit might properly be aided by the Cen
trail American Governments, if not en-
tlrely taken in hand by them, and ma
terials for such appropriate display might
be furnished by them out of their almost
limitless wealth Of prehistoric remains.
There are some ediices, SIMPLE in con-
struction, yet representative and charac-
f~eristic, which might be very easily re-
produced, such as the truncated temple
pyramids, the conical towers with wind
ing, spiral ascents from bottom Il top,
earth built and paved with stone. These
could be built, and within them could be
arranged the vault like chambers, arches
and passages which are found in the origi-
nails in SO many instances. They are
wonderfully beautiful specimens Of pre-
! historic architecture, and the skill shown
II their construction, Is III other Central
American buildings Of this ancienak age,
cannot now he surpassed. TaeA mloatk