Evening star., 1923-03-20

:
tions probably will be carried on
on a large scale and the foremost
authorities on archaeology have agreed
that the possibilities Of such an eXpe-
dition cannot be overestiTnated. The
lost history OF the Mayas may never
be found. but there is every hope that
its numerous volumes will be discov-
cred in the tombs of the ancient
priests who spent their lives writing
them.
Engraved on Monuments.
Part Of their chronology the Mayas
left engraved on monuments and on
the walls and rooms of their temples
palaces and homes. DR.. Saville said.
But the more intimate details OF the
era were recorded in book form. on a
material that closely resembles paper
but is exceedingly strong and durable
Some few leaves of such volumes al
ready have been- discovered and there
is evidence 10 show that what might
amount TO an entire library was buried
In the numerous tombs OF its authors.
Like the Egyptians and other ancients
Of the old world, the Maya Indians
buried the most treasured effects of
their leaders with the bodies. The tombs
OF the MAYA priests, who were also the
intellectual leaders of the race, are
known to be under the floors of the
temples. Explorers came across one Of
these toinbs by accident recently and
there discovered rare jades, exquisite
bits OF ieWelry, handsome specimens of
sculpture and statuary. Taking only a
few OF thee choice examples of Maya
art. the 6heologists quickly sealed
the tomb aaS.n FOR fear mercenary art
collectors might flock TO the spot and
ruin forever the worlds opportunity to
look into the past through an accurate
glass; DR.. Savil!e said.
Would Discover History.
what we want to do now IS open
these various tombs and there, per-
haps. discover the history we are
told hes buried" he continued. 'Is
value can not even be estimated, but
some idea of the high state of civili-
cation those ancients had reached
may be imagined when we learn for
a fact that they had engineers capa-
bic of digging weuS 700 feet deep
through solid rock. And they had
no modern drills to help them
The MayaS are known to have been
astute students of astronomy. and
perfected a calendar that rivals our
own. One of the most interesting
discoveries mentioned by DIR. Sayille
was that of q column on which was
ing a globe on her back. The speak
er added no comment as to what he
thought this may have represented,
but his description instinctively drew
out belief that these ancient as
tronomers may have suspected that
this earth is a globe.
Built on Pyramids-
Some of their palaces and temples
were three or more stories high the
speaker said, and were built on the
SUBMITS of pyramids. These pyramids,
however, were not used for tombs, as
those of ancient Egypt. The walls of
the rooms were plastered and bore
exquisite mural paintings in many in
stances, while the stone outside walls
were beautifully carved. Macadam
and concrete roads were built
through the troplcal jungles from
city to city, and parts Of these
ancient highways may still be found,
SO substantially were they con-
structed."
DR.. Saville thrilled his audience by
his description OF a cenotaph. or deep
natural well, into which tradition
saws the Maya priests hurled their
most beautiful maidens in time of
drought as living sacrifices to their
gods. True to their religious GUS
toms, he said, grieving relatives
threw the victims worldly goods into
the water also. Gorgeous jades,
jewelry and even mosaics have been
recovered from the mud of this well,
which was located at Chichen- -ltza,
the capital OF the Maya civilization,
proying the truth of the stories.
Urges Protection Of Expedition.
A resolution, which was drawn up
by DR.. Merriam. president OF the car
nesie Institution of Washington, call
ing upon the people Of America to
closely cooperate in the protection.
examination and interpretations" OF
the historical and archaeological rec
ords of their continents. was ratified
by the Archaeological Society, aiter
It had been adopted by the poard OF
trustees. In a brief address. after the
resolution had been ratified, DR.. Mer-
riam declared no field presents SO
great an opportunity to the Worio
TODAY as that of ancient history.
"And certainly ancient american
history should be studied nrst py
he said.
Mai. George Oakley Totten, VINO re-
constructed a perfect model or one
~ the temples of Chichen-1tza. SAID
the architecture OF the ancient Mayas
was equal to that of the schoois OF
France. Maj. Totten Is prominent
architect himself and has spent con-
siderable time in Yucatan, stuoyins
the old ruins.