The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10

bian epoch these people stood at the
head OF American tribes, being on the
very threshold OF civilization Their
status was like that OF the Greeks and
Egyptians Immediately before the dawn
OF history. They employed rude sys-
tenn OF historic records. had developed
phonetic system of writing and made pa
per from the maguey plant Several or
their books preserved in European IL
braries show advanced skill in picto-
graphic writing. Their calendar system
embodied so many elements OF accurate
chronology as to amaze European scnoi-
airs. its chief purpose was TO serve the
priesthood in carrying on a complex sys-
TEN OF sorcery and divination-
These people were traders and nav
gated the seas. They maintained COM
merce with Florida, as above stated; also
with Cuba and other distant parts
Thousands Of square miles Of the terri
tory which they occupied is 50 dotted to-
day with the ruins OF their towns that
the traveller is seldom out OF sight of
some mound, pyramid or other massive
structure Of antiquity. There Is hardly
a modern village or town on the PENN
sula OF Florida that is not built in part
OF materials derived from the old
structures of the Mayas. Near Oaxaca
is a mountain called Monte Alban. 1000
feet high. which has been remodeled by
the hand of man into terraces, plateaus
and pyramids.
GREEK TRADITIONS.
The early Greek historians say that a
broad continent called Atlantis was once
spread out over what Is now the middle
Atlantic ocean, and that this land was
inhabited by vigorous and cultivated
race of people. who carried their arms
eastward to the furthest limits of the
- dc
gered by these encroachments, retaliated
by sending Atlantis to the bottom of the
sea- 1t has been a favorite theory of
many students that the American races
may have been derived from this source,
inheriting therefrom the germs Of the
strange culture now represented by so
many ruined cities. Whether or not this
is so, it is certain that Yucatan rose out
of the bed Of the sea at a time not long
previous to that assigned by legend for
the sinking Of Atlantis. 1t is in fact
comparatively newborn realm.
A strange thing happened to fit this
land for habitation. The country is al
most waterless. having hardly any sur
face streams. It's streams run under
ground, and their roofs have been per-
forated in places by the disintegration
Of the limestone strata. BY the caving in
Of the latter in spots. yawning sinks
which are pools of water. In the midst
of the forest the traveller comes sudden
ly on these great cisternlike pits leading
down into the bowels Of the earth, often
one hundred or more feet deep and two
or three hundred feet In diameter. In
some cases the water can only be
reached by ropes and ladders.
Into this strange new land pioneers of
the red race found their way, and, taking
possession Of the wells, built themselves
habitations. The brittle limestone rocks
of the surface were broken into millions
of blocks by weathering and by the
strong roots of trees, furnishing stone
ready cut, and from them the jewellers
about the lonely wells made houses.
They prospered and multiplied, Guilt
waited the arts of peace, and from cent
ury to century went on building and de-
veloping the stone arts nntil every great
we'll or group of wells was encircled by
temples and palaces grand in proportion
and rich In unique though barbarous
sculptures. At length came tribal
jealousies, which gave rise to disastrous
wars. depopulating districts and leaving
cities In ruin.
The natives were never wholly sub
! jugated by the whites. To this day some
| tribes remain unconquered. They hold
| the temples of their fathers /by force Of
| arms. defying all corners, white or red
| OF these strongholds the most important
| is that Of Puloom. 1t Is situated on a
high bluff facing the sea, being without
windows on the side fronting the ocean,
1t looks like a fortress. Indeed, it is a
fortress, and in ancient times it was the
strongest place held by the Mayas. Even
now it stands as an outpost of savage
domination, and nobody dares to ap-
prOach it even for so gentle purpose as
| that of chronological exploration.