The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-07-16

out the state of Oaxaca, Next
co, are to be found what they
call "Puebios Viejos" (old vii
ages), some close to the site of the
new villages and others in the wild
country, far away from all habitations.
In these ruins traces can be seen of
houses, temples, fortresses and tombs.
In some places graves only are seen
to mark the place of former civiIi-
cation, and these consist of mounds,
some of which are built to consider
able height, writes correspondent of
The Christian Science Monitor.
Among the ruins well 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 Achiutla.
The famous ruins of Militia are the
best preserved ON account of the dry
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
about fifteen different designs made
with mosaics known as grecques. The
figures are all geometrical and are
louhd mostly In panels on both inside
and outside of the walls of the rooms.
Features Of Militia Ruins.
The original name of : these ruins
e was Lyobaa, and they were later on
called by the Mexlcans "Mictlan"
which means "the place of the dead"
Inc place is now In the center of the
Iapotec country, and the Zapotec Ian
guage is spoken by the inhabitants
OF the village close to the ruins. One
VI the Chambers contains six huge
honoIlths, each being about IL feet
hieh and Z feet In circumference,
"hlch nave no carvings. The most
beautiful room is known as the Hall
oI Mosaics. Its four sides are covered
with designs. Paintings were found
Oh some of the walls, but these have
MOSTLY disappeared. Close to the
RUNS a pyramidal mound is to be
seen and about two miles distant is a
fort of great interest.
Inc grecques or arabesques found
at Militia give it distinctive charac-
ter' and in no other part of the re-
public are there any ruins like them.
"hen the Spaniards conquered Next
", Mltla was still an important place.
Inc ruins of Monte Alban are stu
ated on the outskirts of the CITY of
oaXaca and seem to belong to a much
Uiuer civilization than those of Militia.
III tact Monte Alban was in ruins
"heh Militia was at its height of pros
peFlty. The ruins cover an area of
aoout two miles in length by third
VI mile In width. On every side are
remains OF temples, foundations, ter
races walls, and graves, but these |
p'aces have not been explored and are
covered with debris. Some fine stones
win carvings are still standing and |
many have been removed to the Ma |
uonal Museum of Mexico City. The
sculptures Indicate that the Maya civil
li@a'loh must have extended to this
part Of the country.
Fort at GulensuIa.
Inc ruins of Guiengula on the 18TH
mus or Tehuantepec show the exist
.nee OF big fort which was used
III me battles between the Mexicans
"nu the Zapotecs. This fort was built
vi me top of a mountain, and contains
Two pyramids Of stones, having stair
""!S leading up to the tops. Remains
VI temples, chambers, trenches, and
'erraces can also be distinguished.
me ruins at Aehiutla consist of
.ourtS' walls, mounds, and terraces.
1eniutia was the sacred city of the
seat Mixtec nation, their country be-
Jug called Mlxtecapam before the
spahiards arrived In Mexico. An ex-
number Of pieces of pot
very is found everywhere in this vii
,I which is still inhabited by the
'"IA'ee Indians. or Mtxtecos.
Al the graves that have been opened
= these different ruins have been
.ounu great variety of stone and |
nay Idols, ornaments made of gold, ,
upper, jade, shell, obsldian, and stone. j
eautltui specimens of painted pot /
90 nave also been found, and some
= Tue nnest samples of Mexican ce- |
)axaca, :
.ne indian tribes inhabiting the i
rue OF oaxaca are the Zapotecs,
It aSs' Mics. Cuicatecs, Mazatecs,
", Amusgos, Triques, Chatinos,
, y, Huaves, Zoques and n
,,''l OF these the Zapotecs and
t'N'ecS were the most important and
~ resisted the Spaniards long after d
- rest OF the country had been con-
uered. The Huayes Amuspo1 and h