The Monticellonian., 1916-11-16

TN 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 th< Maya race while by others to belong to d branch of the royal family of Quiches. fnhabits 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, tue 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 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 expior- ations. 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.
 Largest of Maya Cities.
 So far as is known Tikai 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, It was one of the first Maya cities to become center of art and culture While 1t has not yielded as many sculptural specimens as other Maya ruins, yet the few ornamented monoliths and circular altars that still preserve their figures and inscriptions indicate an archaic period as well as q period of greatness. Altogether the city is believed to have covered n period of occupation of nearly 400 years.
 Tikal is located in the junglelike for est about 30 miles from little town called Fl Remate. This latter is sit uated on one tnd of Lake Peten-Itzn. with its island town of Flores, known in ancient times as Tayasal. X days ride from Flores is La Libertad. the headquarters of mahogany cutters and the residence of the jefe politico of the department of Peten. It Is from La Libertad as 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 especial discomfort in the absence of water supply. Every drop has to be brought distance of mile and a half from an overgrown muddy lagoon, and must be boiled and filtered. It is quite probable that during the flourishing days of Tikal the ancient inhabitants stored water in the "chaltunes" or un- dergrouud 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 d large court or main plaza, together with 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. ings. Isolated buildings having DO re-