The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-12-21

IN THE northernmost section of beau
tiful Guatemala lies the Peten
district, the largest department of
\ the republic. but one concerning
which comparatively little is known.
A population of about 10000. claimed
by some to be descendants OF the Maya
race while by others to belong to II
branch of the royal family of Clutches.
inhablts this region. Picturesque lakes
and the waters OF the Usumaclnta,
Passion, and other rivers render the
soil fertile. The waters abound In fish,
alligators and turtles. On the shores
the white heron, the iguana and Sara
guate monkey make their home. Com
Incredibly. the Peten region Is known
Tor its rich mahogany yield and for the
supply of chlcle the bnsis of chewing
gum, drawn from the chico-zapoto
trees. Bounding Peten on the north
are the Mexican states of Campeche
and Tabasco on the enst, British Hon
duras; on the west. the Mexican state
Of Chiapns; and ON the south, the de-
partments of Verapaz and Iznbal
The student of archaeology will at
once recognize In these territorial
boundaries great area of historic
treasures In American antiquity. writes
Harry o. Sandbcrg In the Bulletin OF
the Pnn-American Union. From the
surrounding districts scientists have
ancient Maya cities bespeaking high |
degrees of civilization. These pal. |
aces and temples have puzzled and
fascinated students. but have with.
stood all attempts to accurately trace
and fix their origins and histories. The
accessibility of many OF these treasure
spots has encouraged frequent explor
utions, and fairly satisfying litera
ture has been written concerning them
But quite limited is the available In.
formation about Tfkal, an old Maya
city OF Peten. situated In practical iso-
iation.
Largest Of Maya Cities.
So far as is known Tikal is the larg.
est OF the ancient cities in the Maya
area; Its ruins occupy approximately
one square mile. According TO the few
dates that have been found and de
riphered. II seems certain that. In
point OF time. II was one of the first
Maya cities TO become center of art
and culture. While IL has not yielded
rs many sculptural specimens as other
Maya ruins. yet the few ornamented
and circular affairs that still
preserve their figures and inscriptions
Indicate an archaic period as well as !
period OF greatness. Altogether the I
'ity Is believed 10 have covered S l
'eriod OF occupation of nearly 40t q
ears. I
Tlkal is located in the junglelike for I
ST about 30 miles from little town T
allied FL Remate. This latter Is sit. l.
Iated on one end OF Lake Peten-Itza, !
With its island town of Flores, known r
n ancient times as Tayasal. days (
ide from Flores is La Libertad. the h
eadquarters OF mahogany cutters and {
he residence OF the jefe polItico OF the b
apartment OF Peten. 1t is from La c
lbertad as starting point that the 4
rip to Tikal is best accomplished "
side from the difficulties entalled in
earing away the heavy forest and
ingle growths, the explorer faces an n
special discomfort In the absence OF II
water supply. Every drop has TO be 81
fought distance Of mile and half II
ON an oyergrown muddy lagoon. and I
ust be boiled and filtered. 1t is quite CT
-obable that during the flourishing W
80 IL
ored water In the "chaltunes" or UNI W
'rground cisterns which are found in Sc
rye numbers amongst the ruins OF p,