Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-12-02
THE CLIFF JEWELLERS.
Explorations by Mexican ArchaeoI-
ogist in Colorado.


Professor Leopoldo Batres, Mex.
cos able archeologist, has returned
after several weeks spent in the land
of the cliff dwellers at Mancos, Colo.
The object of Mr.. Batres' expedi-
ton was to establish the identity of
the people known as the cliff dweIlers
with the ancient Toltecs, and to prove
that Huetlapalla. the red city" from
which the Toltecs. according to their
traditions and the earliest records.
started on their migration southwark
to Anahuac, was located in the caves
of what is now the state of Colorado.
To reporter who met him on the
Centrals express at Huchuetoca, Mr..
Batres expressed the utmost satisfac-
tion with his trip. at has been a
pleasure to me- he said. "to visit
the United States and experience the
boundless kindness and hospitality of
the American people. and. in addi
ton. / have been thoroughly success
full in the scientific object of my ex-
pedition. l no longer entertain the
smallest doubt that the underground
city of the cliff dwellers, which | ex-
plored. was the Huetlapalla of the
IoItecs. l purpose to set forth all
the grounds for my conclusion in
book which am going to write about
my explorations. Briefly, all the OBJ
jects which l found in the Colorado
caves bear out my view. The gree
ques of the ceramics are similar to
those of the Militia palaces. which, as
is well known, We're Toltec. Note
ho 10
city, and that the homes of the cliff
dwellers We're painted red, and so re-
main to this day.
Il made original excavations. and
have brought back with me a large
collection of archaeological objects. in
cluding shelton wIlh fragment of
feather winding sheet, pair of
palm sandals. pottery. implements of
agriculture. pieces of leather sewn to-
gether, skulls. p.ece of an osier
basket similar to the ones made in
China-all from the caves of the cliff
dwellers-besides large collection
of photographs.
The trip to the cliff dwellers is the
hardest one | have ever made, though
] have visited all the most inaccessi-
pie aitheoioSicdl al TeHldlnS Ill mexico.
| had to be let down to the mouths of
the caves by ropes passed under
meath my arms. With eight compan-
ions l had to camp out for a week.
and. after climbing daily among the
rocks my buckskin suit was torn to
shreds so as to be no longer service
able. found in the caves the re
mains of regular towns, and in the
largest of all a palace of 800 rooms.
with windows, doors. and roofs in a
good state of preservation. To find
analogies everywhere with the work
of the Toltecs was my object, and
my success will be fully set forth in
my book. On the walls of one of the
towers | traced hieroglyphics of Ma
huatl origin-red figures on white
ground. OF these, made careful
copy.
Such is brief outline of the
scientific side of my trip. AS to its
social features, can hardly find
words to express my gratitude for the
hospitality and kindness which re-
ceived on all sides. | return to MeXi-
co with the most grateful impression
of the United States and the Amer-
can people.
After finishing his work in Colorado
Mr.. Batres made flying trip to New
York and Chicago. making the best
possible use of his time in studying
of Mexico Herald.