Semi-weekly herald., 1914-06-29

scientists OF great renoWn or mere
mortals of more common clay, some
how something stirs within them at
the touch Of antique things. The av
erage tourist seeking surcease from
the daily grind, whether of the col
lege lecture room or of the constant
chase of the elusive dollar in trade
and traffic, who finds himself in some
strange city and learns that r,l far
off are the weather-beaten walls of
an ancient temple, shrine, or palace
whose history is mystery and whose
builders are unknown, hies himself
at once to that place. He touches
the crumbling stones, traces the gro
tesque figures and queer designs, and
marvels that such things could have
been so many years before he came
on earth, perhaps even befo.e the
very civilization of which he is a
boastful part came into existence.
Mexico is full of such ruins as
these; in Yucatan alone there are
some 10 or more. Approach to some
of these is too arduous to most tour
lists, but on the southernmost shore
of the republic lies the state of OAK
aca, whose capital is easily accessi-
BILE. "Oaxaca City is reached from
Puebla by the Mexican Southern
according to statement in the latest
pamphlet on Mexico, issued by the
Pan-American union of Washington,
D. c. "The distance is 22S miles from
Mexico City and the same distance
from Vera Cruz. Its population is
10000. 1t was the early home of
both Porfirio Diaz, former president,
and Benito Juarez, the patriot and
national hero. It's age makes it very
attractive, but it is quite modern in
many ways, possessing tramcars,
electric lights, telephones and other
factors of comfort. Another feature
connected with Oaxaca is the fact
that from the city the excursion is
made, about 25 miles to the southeast,
to the ruins Of Militia, some of the best
preserved prehistoric remains Of all
Mexico"
Militia is contraction or corruption
Of the word Mictlan, meaning 1.-THE
place Of DEATH" The modern village
and the ancient ruins occupy the CEN
ter of an arid plain or valley, sur
rounded on all sides by equally arid
hills, on the highest summit of which
are the well preserved remains of
great fortress, whose walls are of a
rough construction and without orna-
ment Of any kind. Nearly in the GEN.
ter Of the plain five great groups of
buildings stand out completely ex-
posed. Many Of them are now near
ly shapeless mounds and masses of
ruins. Two great groups, however,
are In comparatively perfect preser-
walton, q third is incorporated with
q old church, and fourth, the great
sacr1ficial mound, is surmounted BY
the ruins Of very ancient church.
The principal buildings are of stone
masonry. A condensed description of
one will give an idea of the others.
The Hall of Pillars, the northern.
most building Of the north group is
great room 125 feet long and 90
feet wide, interior measurements. The
height of the walls is about IL feet,
the thickness varying from feet
inches on the sides to feet inches
for the front wall. The entrances
are three doorways nearly 8 feet
wide, each composed of three mem
bers, two enormous monolithic door
tambs about z feet high, 8 feet wide
and 2 feet thick, surmounted by mon
olithic lintels nearly 20 feet long, 3
feet wide and s feet thick. Tie most
striking feature of the room Is row
Of six monolithic columns running
lengthwise of the room, each column
standing II feet l inch above the
floor, which is covered with cement
Their circumference is each 0 feet
8 inches. They are slightly tapered
at the top which is perfectly flat.
The interior walls are perfectly plain,
while the exterior are covered with
rich decoration of panels of mosaic
work, surrounded by large squared
and sometimes incised sculptured
stones.
The great group Of which this is
the principal building, was probably
the ceremonial hall. The south eroup
was probably that in which the Anal
ceremonies attending the death of
chief, high priest, or other dignitary
were performed. The remaining huili-
ings were probably for the use of
the visiting dignitaries and for the
priests and officers who served Met
Ian Tacuhtli, "The Lord Of the Place
Of Death" The mounds on which