The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-10-31

the most able anthroDOlogists to be as
interesting as the Civilizations of an
cient Egypt In The past decade, by con-
slant effort and tireless research. the
world has been put in possession of
facts concerning the Aztec. AiiXtec.
Maya and other ancient nations of Cen
tral America and Mexico, which has
brought their culture and mythology
prominently forward.
Mr. SaVine has been constantly at
work on Mexican anthropOlogy since
1889. His explorations embrace d wide
area. extending from the famous Ser
pent mound, Turner group, and Fort
Kan, the remains of the mound build
ers ~ southern Ohio, into Central
America, ard thence northward into
Mexico. He has also visited the mu-
Seums of natural history of Europe to
study their collections gathered in this
hemisphere. that he may be in possess
sion of all the knowledge possible.
ANCIENT TEMPLE
It was during the last expedition into
the state of Morelos. Mexico. where his
most. recent researches and discoveries
have been made. 1t is there, among the
5nnumerable tombs and acres Of crumb-
Inns. shapeless ruins. that the remains
of the temple of HOchicalS stand. This
temple, which Mr.. SaVille was the first
TO DHOLOE+ as3Ar - lAiG iit1SA AAAAf'oi NstAlN
structure Of Aztec culture eHta.st. 1t
was built to QuetzalcoatI. god of the
air QuetZalcoatl is q combination of
the two Aztec words bird and ser
peat." and il was this curious crea-
ton. sometimes known as Tlazicalpan-
tecutli, god Of the departing mists or
the dawn. that the ancient AZtecs Wor-
SHIPPED. There were other gods in their
mythology, each having under control
some phase of the life of man. Quetzal
coat, however, was the principal benef-
Scent god.
The temple stands on fortified hill.
about a days journey from the City of
Mexico. That il was not destroyed as
were the temples of the ancient City Of
Mexico at the time of the Corte2 lnya-
sion, has given rise to much specuIa-
ton 1t was evidently abandoned, but
@hether before the building of the an
e{eat City Of Mexico or after the COM
ing of the Spanish is not known. It is
assumed however. that it is older than
the DESTROYED city. and was built and
then abandoned for the more advan-
tageons locality of the site Of the an
Gent City of Mexico. This. is is be
lieved, is what saved it from destruc-
ton at the hands of the Spanish
LIGHT ON MEXICAN HISTORY
Today only the pyramid OF base Of
che temple remains The temple pro-
Der. which was built by a lighter and
more destructible material-very likely
Wood-has disappeared long centuries
since. The pyramid. however. Is his
tory. 1t is 60 feet square. with an en-
trance on but one side The walls are
II feet high and on them, carved and
covered with a cement preparation.
which has preserved and beauti1ied
them, are the serpent birds of the faith.
ON three sides are six huge snake cary
ings with curiously worked feathers
and birds heads On the front. one on
either side of the entrance. are two
smaller ones. Above ard about the
whole pyramid as a cap runs border
stone. on which are hierogiYphs. which
q Is assumed tell the story Of Quot
zalcoau and what he demanded of hui
The return of Mr.. SaYilIe to this inn
,,ortant place means much TO anthro-
ooIosy. When asked what he intends TO
do. Mr. SaYiIle answered in one word,
Work"
He win study more carefully the hier-
ogIvphies and make molds of them,
n '1ich will be sent TO students in va
1ious parts of the world. that others