Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-10-29
GA7zAYr 0%ZHE H0USE0< me D4S4/2<' SS

some 20 years before the Spanish first landed
in Yucatan; but even after the conquest, the Xius
in their new home continued TO exercise consid-
cradle authority the natives. and their
friendly attitude toward the Spanish greatly ia
cilitated the final pacitication of the country.
The ruins of uXmal are best reached today by
stage from the little town OF Muna. the nearest
railroad station. ten mile drive from the latter
place brings 10 the hacienda of UXmal. from
which the ruins about a mile and a half
distant. The first view of the ancient city is to
be had from the top of hill just behind the
plantation house. Across the plain dozen or
more imposing structures of white limestone may
be seen rising above the dense vegetation which
here enshrouds the countryside. Beyond. in the
distance, a ragged chain of low mountains cuts
across the horizon, each succeeding ridge a
deeper blue But does not dwell long the
beauties of nature at Uxmal; the habitatons OF
a bygone claim the attention Descending
the hill again takes the road which leads
through the bush The distant temples and pal
sink below the tree tops and for aught that
one sees of them they might as well be on the
other side of the world. After half hours walk
during which the ruins never once reappear, the
road suddenly makes a sharp turn to the right.
and just in front of one, apparently blocking the
way, there rises lofty pyramid. the highest
structure in the city.
The splendid temple surmounting this. gro.
tesquely called the House OF the Dwarf or Ma
gican, probably was the chief sanctuary of Ux-
NAL The pyramid on which il stands is over so
feet high and covers nearly acre of ground.
lhe summit is reachGu Dy 4 steep stairway on us
and apparently back side. The temple
however, faces in the opposite direction, or to-
ward the Monja's quadrangle, adjacent group
of structures, with which, presently shall
IL closely connected. Clear down into
Spanish times. long after Uxma had been aban-
doned by her native rulers, This temple was held
in particular veneration by the Indians About
century after the conquent Father Cogolludo.
provincial of Yucatan. visited UXmal and climbed
to the summit of this pyramid. He found there.
he says. in of the apartments offerings OF
cacao and the remains of copal. burned but
short time before. This he thought indicated
that some superstition idolatry had been com
mitted here recently by the Indians Of the local
ity. And again, slightly later in 1878. petition
addressed to the king of Spain says
That the Indians in those places tUxmaD
worshipins the devil in the ancient buildings
which are there, having in them their idols. to
which they burn copal and perform other de
testable sacrifices.
Long after the conquest, no doubt. the natives
continued 10 practice in secret their ancient rites
and ceremonies. particularly at those places
which formerly had been sacred holy to them.
Il was to some such survivas of the ancient
ceremonial and ritual that the above citations
proba blv refer.
Tho Monjas quadrangle. mentioned above
being adjacent to the House of the Dwarf. is. in
fact separated from il only by a small court The
four low massive buildings. of which II is com
posed are built around the sides Of square.
and with the exception OF the house on the south