Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-11-05

or 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 over the natives. and their
friendly attitude toward the Spanish greatly ia
cilitated the final pacihcation of the country
The ruins OF Uxmal best reached today by
stage from the little town of Muna, the nearest
railroad station. ten.mile drive from the latter
place brings to the hacienda OF Uxmal. from
which the ruins are about q mile and q half
distant. The first view OF the ancient city is to
be had from the top of n hill just behind the
plantation house. Across the plain dozen
more imposing structures OF white limestone may
be seen rising above the dense vegetation which
here enshrouds the countryside Beyond, In the
distance. ragged chain of low mountains cuts
across the horizon. each succeeding ridge q
deeper blue But one does not dwell long on the
beauties of nature at U1mat: the habitntious of
a bygone race 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
sees of them they might well be the
other side OF the world. After a half hours walk
during which the ruins once reappeaT. the
road suddenly makes sharp turn to the right.
and just I'm front Of one, apparently blocking the
way. there rises lofty pyramid. the highest
structure in the city.
The splendid temple surmounting this. gro
tesqueIy called the House OF the Dwarf or Ma
gician. probably was the chief sanctuary Of Ux
NAL The pyramid which II stands Ii 80
rect nfRn ana covers nearly an acre OF ground
The summit ID reached by steep stairway ts
east and apparently back side. The temple
however. faces In the opposite direction. OF to
ward the Monja's quadrangle adjacent group
OF structures. with which. presently shall
see, Il closely connected Clear down into
Spanish times long after Uxmal had been aban
doned by her native rulers this temple was held
In particular generation by the Indians. About
century after the conquent. Father cogolludo.
provincial of Yucatan. visited Uxma and climbed
to the summit OF this pyramid. He found there
he says. In OF the apartments offerings Of
cacao and the remains OF copaI. burned but q
short time before. This he thought Indicated
that some superstition idoiatry had been com.
mitted here recently by the Indians Of the local.
ity. And again. slightly later In 1913. petition
addressed TO the king Of Spain says:
That the Indians in those places (Uxmal1 are
worshlping the devil In the ancient buildings
which are there having In them their idols. 10
which they burn copal and perform other de.
testable sacrifices"
Long after the conquest. no doubt. the natives
continued to practice in secret their ancient rites
and ceremonies. particularly Al those places
which formerly had been sacred or holy TO them.
II was 20 some such survivaa OF the ancient
ceremonial and ritual that the above citations
probably refer.
The Montas quadrangle mentioned above as
being adjacent TO the HOUSE OF the Dwarf. Is. IA
four low massive buildings OF which 1t Is com
posed are built around the sides of q square,
and. with the exception OF the house on the south