The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-03
w..

Some Of the tribes, especially Of the NahuaH.
Ian and Magyar groups, had made q somewhat
close approach In their symbolic or picture writ
ing to true phonetic characters. 1t IL certain
that tho advance mado by tho Mayas toward
true nlphabetio writing was beyond that of
moro conyentionaliEed symbols. although they
had not reached tho alphabetic stage. That they
had reached, however, q stage where symbols
were used to represent to a certain extent
syllable sounds seoms to be demonstrated. So
far a. can DO Judged by what has been ascer-
tanned, the manuscripts which have been pre-.
served arc, to o largo extent, religious calon-
dars relating to religious coremonies and OBJ.
servances In domestic pursuits. Tho form Of
government differed somewhat in tho different
tribes. Tho most advanced type was that of
the AStecs and TeEcuoans; this may, per-
hapS, without exagGeration. be termed Q
well-reRulated monarchy. Descent was In
tho male line, tho title passing from
father to son. but not without certain condi.
lions and limitations; It appears that certain
nobles or men of authority had tho right to de-
where there was no son, should succeed to the
sovereignty. To this extent the Government
The election, however, was restricted to the
family OF the deceased monarch. females. as we
p psoSlo SS we're s TeIihSi into eoG a nnmber of iinSGeSsH enS
States, each governed by its own chieftain.
According TO tradition, these independent com.
munities. oil of which spoke the same language,
were the Fragments of a powerful confederacy
which had been broken up, through internal dis
tho SpAniards. The chieftaincy was hereditary,
descent being in the male line. Here, however,.
apparently, all tho nations. of the region
under review. tho real power lay IN the priest
chief or sovereign, it was. for the most part,
exercised IN accordance With the wishes and
p ptrSSE,S OF Mexico NJ shs %pr nad Especially ahS GF' Central tm Maic Am Sne
lea excelled was architecture. and their advance
herein seems the more remarkable when We
of burden. wheeled vehicles. or metal tools, IL
we except the bronze implements which may
tribes. At present tho chief reminder of the
relatively civilized past Of the people Of this
tural remains, the ruins Of temples, towers, and
other stately edihces. Prof. Thomas gives. In
various chapters of his 6 book; DESCRIPTIONS cs Of the
types of structure, but what he has to say in
regard to the moro elaborate Maya struc-
dealing with this subject he relies mainly
upon the data and deductions set forth by Prof.
Prot. Holmes or that some Of d the Maya buildings q
sive accretions or periods of growth. which is
true, to 2 large extent, OF tho greater edihces OF
However. that stand forth as perfect units q
design. the conception of which must have been
complete in every detail when the construction
trolled the cutting and tho placing of every
stone. There may have been working drawings
Carrying out Of the work Without them
able, The, construction Of such buildings
as the palace at Uxmal and the castillo
architectural design we'll calculated to astound
tho student of the half-crystallized culture of
shS A OF Ptof' H FS2Ss II 9hs ssni IS but II 1it The d IoSSSss
that. whom the work of building began in such
cases; the ground plan; elevation, and c]onstrno.
p psaeiSH and ia all tho qSof dstsyiis Of an sou %I4%lS1pS Ssco a%e
that even the details of the stone cuttings. tho
number. weight, and anglo of the courses of
wise. with the completely Of form and the in
hnity of Reometrical detail that characterize
the facadee. utter confusion must have resulted;
the migrations OF Maya tribes is that the Maya
stock moved enthusiastically from some region
Hs far northwest as central Mexico. having been
preceded. probably, by the Zapotecs and some Of
the older stock. That they were somewhat
into contact with before leaving the Tulan,
which is assumed to have been on tho boundary
traditions which are recited in this book.
That the Mays we were : the first people 70
% tion 1. ' Sedueed from Ha Mn i. 2. % i'H1ii1f;
examination Hi.Rn1st ON q the 9 d,r. caves s,i n ~ t ln section Z
and, to some extent in civilization also, from
the Nehqatl stock yet It is pronounced possible
NIltL Wv tllO VI Lho LICIo IhhLs NJ bOliO ~
mote period. they were connected. WIS we'll
founded. That the two peoples moved south.
ward along. substantially, the same route Seems
to be the most reasonable conclusion from. the
data so far obtained. The original homo from
stock started on its journey southward WAS,
region now occupied by the Dene. or Northern
Athabascans. Possibly. from the Same original
germ, or from germs issuing from the same
hive, were developed tho Mayan. Zapote,
Mexico and Central America. That slight
additions, may have been received through
occasional vessels stranded on the Pacific coast
is considered not impossible, but these were moi
sufficient to produce any marked effect, unlese
this can be detected In some particular customs
or arts. That tho sorcalled civilization OF Mex
CO and Central, America was indigenous. In q
general sense. is now the prevailing opinion
among antiquaries and ethnoloGists, although
It 10 recognized that the indigenous culture mRJ
have received. in some Of its features. the Inn
press Of extraneous or foreign influence,
".
In that part of his book which 10 devoted to thu
mound builders. Prof. Thomas has no dif1cnlty