The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1916-11-17

TN THE northernmost section of beau
tiful Guatemala lies the Peten
district, the largest department of
1 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 a
branch of the royal family of CLUTCHES,
inhabits this region. Picturesque lakes
and the waters of the Usumacinta,
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
mercially, the Peten region is known
for its rich mahogany yield and for the
supply of chicle, the basis of chewing
gum, drawn from the chico-zapote
trees. Bounding Peten on the north
are the Mexican states of Campeche
and Tabasco; on the east, British Hon
duras; on the west, the Mexican state
of Chiapas; and on the south, the de-
partments of Verapaz and Izabal.
The student of archaeology will at
once recognize in these territorial
boundaries a great area of historic
treasures in American antiquity, writes
Harry o. Sandberg in the Bulletin of
the Pan-American Union. From the
surrounding districts scientists have
brought to light remarkable ruins of
ancient Maya cities bespeaking high
degrees of civilization. These pal
led Nd
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-
atoms, and fairly satisfying litera-
ture has been written concerning them.
But quite limited is the available in
formation about Tikal, an old Maya
city Of Peten. situated In practical iso-
lation.
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-
ciphered, it seems certain that, in
point Of time, 1t was one of the first
Maya cities to become a center Of art
and culture. While it has not yielded
as many sculptural specimens as other
Maya ruins, yet the few ornamented
monoliths and circular affairs that still
preserve their figures and inscriptions
Indicate an archaic period as well as
period Of greatness. Altogether the
city is believed to have covered a
period Of occupation of nearly 400
years.
Tikal is located in the junglelike for
est about 80 miles from little town
called Ell Remate. This latter is sit
uated on one end of Lake Peten-Itza,
with its island town of Flores, known
In ancient times as Tayasal. A days
ride from Flores is La Libertad, the
headquarters of mahogany cutters and
the residence of the jefe politico of the
department of Peten. 1t Is from La
Libertad as a starting point that the
trip to Tikal is best accomplished.
Aside from the difficulties entailed in
clearing away the heavy forest and
jungle growths, the explorer faces an
a water supply. Every drop has to be
brought distance of mile and half
from an overgrown muddy lagoon, and
must be boiled and filtered. 1t is quite
probable that during the flourishing
days of Tikal the ancient Inhabitants
stored water in the "chaltunes" or I'M
foreground cisterns which are found in
large numbers amongst the ruins of
northern Yucatan.
AS Is characteristic of most Maya
cities, the plan Of Tikal embodies
large court or main plaza, together
with a system of oriental courts, all
connected with one another, and with
few detached buildings. The unit in
the groupings seems to be the quadri-
lateral court, around each side of
which there are one or more build
ngs. Isolated buildings having no re-
alton to a court are comparatively
rare. The courts vary in size from the
main plaza, with breadth of over 800
feet, to small Enclosures surrounded
BY low mounds.
Buildings Fairly Well Preserved.
The buildings at Tikal are in a bet
.er state of preservation than are
hose of any other Maya site, with the
exception of the ruins in northern
Yucatan, which are admittedly of later
date. This is especially noteworthy
when 1t is recalled that Tikal is prob
IDLY tho oldest Of the Maya cities, its