Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-18
REMAINS OF A PREHISTORIC WALL
A Curious Pile of CrTmbIinS Masonry on
the Wild Plains of Texas.

Curious Pile of CrumbIing Masonry on
the Wild Plains of Texas.
A Texas correspondent writes to one of the
scientific de- .ments of the government Of a
strangely interesting prehistoric wall discov-
cred on the frontier of the lone star state. This
marvellous ruin surpasSes in interest all the
other wonderful remains hitherto found of the
people who once inhabited the whole Mexican
plateau and attained high state Of civiliza-
ton 1t passes through Milano and has a 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. Its direction is north
east and southwest.
1t is for the most part underground. and this
is one OF the curious things that puzzle those
wise men VINO are supposed to know all about
prehistoric remains. 1t is undoubtedly very
old
One might suppose it to be the sure founda-
ton OF a gigantic fortress which rose above tine
ground MANY feet The towers and other
means o, defense with which it might have been
provided have had time 10 crumble away in the
wears that have passed. The long fortress may
have been pulled down by the conquering in
vaders. As the people died out from The land
the debris OF the old wall would in either case
cover its foundation.
PROBABLY BUILT By AZTEcs.
The Aztecs probably built this wall. They
have left some inscriptions on it, but since their
language is entirely lost no scholar can ever
hope to decipher them One covers a space
eight feet square. The characters are kindred
to indian Inscriptions, but not SO closely allied
that their mystery can be penetrated.
There was undoubtedly populous village or
CITY in the vicinity, for on high hill near
Milano the remains of a mighty temple Of wor-
ship are found. This was supported by more
than 200 lofty pillars. Some Of them still
sIanding. 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 preserved: one,
shaped like an owl is preserved entire. Human
sacrifices were made TO these as we'll as sacri-
fees OF birds. beasts and reptiles Skulls and
bones have been preserved in the clay. Some
of these belonged to very large animals. Some
are petr.hed and it is thought that these
early Aztecs NAV have understood the art
of petrifaction and thus preserved the bones
OF their sacrifices. Many of the skulls show
marks of violence. which was done perhaps
when the human victims were slain. Strange
to say, none Of these skulls are larger than the
head of an infant and they have molar teeth.
CURIoUsLY MARKED IDOLS.
The idols are all curiously marked. Around
each pillar small stones are piled up in circles
or squares, and inside each circle, underneath
the pillar. there is q center or foundation stone,
fashioned to represent the Godhead.
Near the wall there also furnaces, in which
the natives smelted iron.
The locality and direction Of the wall are not
easily accounted for. Perhaps it marks the
boundary OF certain tribal territory which was
exposed to the attacks of the enemy. An
enormous amoRnt Of labor and material must
have been required for its construction, if built
above the ground on the same gigantic plan as
. the foundation. Although there were toward
a million people then living in that vicinity
the work must have extended over a consider
able period Of time Unless this was some
strategic point it is difficult to understand how
but few thousand could be interested in its
construction.
ORIGIN OF THE AZTEcs.
An old tradition says that the Aztscs were one
Of seven powerful tribes that emerged from
seven caverns in . region called Aztlan, 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 considerable
| time until the strong began to encroach upon
| the territory Of the weaker. Then fierce war
| for supremacy over the whole territory ensued
| and lasted many years. Under the leaderahip
Of their military chiefs the Astecs obtained
control Of the whole territory and established Q
very enlightened form Of government This
was consummsted in 1924 or 1875 II IL likely
that the fortress was built during this period
Of war.