Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-04-01
Interesting Prehistoric Ruins.

OF the scientific departments OF the gov
ernment of strangely interesting pre-
historic wall discovered on the frontier
of the Lone Star State. This marve-
lous ruin surpasses in interest all the
other wonderful remains hitherto found
Of the people who once inhabited the
whole Mexican plateau and attained 4
high state of civilization. 1t passes
through NIilano, and has total length
of about twenty miles. 1t is built of
solid masonry, ten to fifteen feet high,
and as many feet thick. Its height and
thickness are thus almost as great as
the famous Chinese wall on the north of
China. The direction is northeast and
southwest
1t is for the most part underground,
and this is one ofthe curious things that
puzzle those wise men who are sup
posed to know all about prehistoric re-
mains. 1t is undoubtedly very old.
ONE might suppose it to be the sure
foundation of Il gigantic fortress which
rose above the ground many feet. The
towers and other means of defence
with which it might have been provided
have had time to crumble away in tho
years that have passed. The long fort
ress may have been pulled down by the
conquering invaders. AS the people
died out from the land the debris of the
old wall would in either case cover its
foundation.
The Aztecs probably built this wall.
They have some inscriptions on it, but
since their language is entirely lost no
scholar can ever hope to decipher them.
One covers space OF eight feet square.
The characters are kindred to Indian
inscriptions, but not so closely allied
that their mystery can be penetrated.
There was undoubtedly q populous
village or city in the vicinity, for on a
high hill near Milano the remains of a
mighty temple of worship are found.
This was supported by more than 200
lofty pillars. Some of them arc still
standing. They were made Of clay
which was well burned. This gave
them the appearance of stone. In this
temple were placed many idols, broken
parts of which are preserved. One
shaped like an owl is preserved entire.
Human sacrifices were made to these,
as well as sacrifices of birds, beasts, and
reptiles. Skulls and bones have been
preserved in the clay. Some Of these
belonged to very large animals. Some
are petrified, and it is thought that
these early Aztecs may have under
stood the art Of assisting petrifaction
and thus preserved the bones of their
sacrifices. The idols are all curiously
marked. Around each pillar small
stones are piled up in circles or squares,
and inside the circle, underneath the
pillar, there is q centre of foundation
stone, fashioned to represent the god
head Near the wall there are also
furnaces in which the natives smelted
iron.
The locality and direction of the
wall are easily accounted for. Perhaps
it marks the boundary of certain tribal
territory which was exposed to the at
tacks of the enemy. An enormous
amount of labor and material must
have been required for its construction
if built above the ground on the same
gigantic plan as the foundation. AL
though there were toward n million
people then living in that vicinity, the
work must have extended over con-
siderable period OF time. Unless this
was some strategic point it is difficult
to understand how but few thousands
could be interested in lis construction.
An old tradition says that the AZtecs
were one of the seven powerful tribes
that emerged from the seven caverns
in a region called Aztlon, or place of
the heron They wandered away from
their fellows after great confusion of
tongues and settled in the region they
are known to have inhabited. This
tradition may be partly fabulous, but
it is sure that the Aztecs settled the
country before the eleventh or twelfth
century. All the tribes lived in peace
for q considerable time, until the strong
began to cncroach upon the territory Of
the weak. Then fierce war for su-
premacy over the whole territory en-
sued and lasted many years. Under
the leadership of their military chiefs.
the Aztecs obtained control of the ter
ritory, and established q very enlight-
ened form of government. This was
oonsummatcd in 1924 or 1925. 1t is
likely that the fortress was built during
this period of war.