Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-07-16

l.
cut the state Of Oaxaca Mcxi-
co, arc TO lie foufsl what they
call ''Puehlos Viejos' told viii
lages). some close to tie site of the
new villages and others in The Wild
country, far awayfrom all habitat'ons,
IN these ruins traces can be seen OF
houses. temples. fortresses and ftomhs.
In some places graves only are seen
TO mark the place OF a former civili-
zation. and these consist of mounds,
some Of which are built TO consider
able height. writes a correspondent. Of
the Christian Science Monitor.
Among the ruifs wen known on
account Of their state of preservation
and importance can be mentioned the
ruins of Militia. those at Monte Alban,
at Guiengula and at Achiutki.
The famous ruins of Militia are she
best preserved on account Of the airy
climate of the country in which they
are situated. They are among the
most deliberately ornamented ruins in
Mexico and ON the walls are found
ahonr fifteen different designs made
with mosaics known as grecques The
figures are an geomeuical and are
found mostly in panels Oh both inside
ard outside of the walls Of the rooms.
Features of Militia Ruins
The original name of these ruins
vas Lyobaa, and they were later on
called by the Mexicans "Metlan"
wlich means The place Of the dead.
The place is now in the center Of the
Zapotvc country, and the Zapotec Ian
guage is spoken by the inhabitants
of the village close TO the ruins. Oae
of the Chambers contains six huge
monoliths. each being abont u feet
high and 4 feet in circumference
which have no carvings. The most
beautiful room is known as the Hall
of Mosaics. Its four sides are covered
with designs, Paintings were found
on some of the walls, but these have
mostly disappeared. Close TO the
ruins Ryramidal mound is 10 be
seen and about two miles distant is
fort of great interest.
The gsecques or arabesques found
at Militia give it a distinctive charac-
ter. ard in no other part Of the re-
public are there any ruins like them.
When the Spaniards conquered Next
co. Militia was still an important place.
The ruins of Monte AIban are stu
ated on the outskirts Of the city of
0axaca and seem to belong to much
x.F
In fact, Monte AIban was in ruins
when Militia was az its height of pros
perity. The ruins cover an area OF
about two mites in length by third
Of mile III width. On everZ side are
remains of temples. foundations, ter
races. walls. and graves, hut These
places have not been explored and are
covered with debris. Some fine stones
with carvings are still standing and
many have been removed to the Ma
lional Museum OF Mexico City. The
sculptures indicate that the Maya civil
.ization must 1--we exte lded to this
part of the coEntry.
Fort at Guieneula.
The ruins of Guiengula on the 18th,
mus of .Tehuantepec show tie exist
ence Of big fort which was used
In the battles between the Mexicans
and the Zapotecs This fort was built
on the top Of a mountain, and contains
Two pyramids of stones, having stair
ways leading up to the tops. Remains
of temples. chambers trenches, and
terraces can also be distinguished
The ruins at Achiutla consist Of
courts. walls, mounds, and terraces.
Achintla was the sacred city Of the
great Mixtec nation, their country be-
ING called Mixtecapam before the
Standards arrived in Mexico. An OK
traordinary number Of pieces If pot
terry Is found everywhere in this vii.
Jage which is still inhabited by the
Mixtec Indians. or Mixtecos.
In the graves that have been opened
IN these different ruins have been
found great variety Of store and
clay idols. ornaments made Of gold,
copper. Jade. she'll obsidia1. and stone.
Beautiful specimens Of painted pot
terry have also been found. and some
of the finest samples Of Mexican ce-
ramlc art come from the tombs Of
Oaxaca.
The Indian tribes inhabitIng the
state Of Oaxaca are the ZapOtecs.
Mixtecs, hijes, Cuicatecs. Mazatecs.
Mexicans. Amusgos, Triques. Chatlnos
Chinantecs, Huaves. Zoques and
Chont,les OF these the Zapotees ana
Mixtecs were the most important and
they resisted the Spaniards long after
the rest Of tae country had been con
quered. The Huayes, Amusgos and