Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-01

MEAlCO CITY. Aug. ol.-lne
Mexican director Of archaeology Is
exploring the jungle surrounding
the recently discovered prehistoric
city OF Etzna- in Cam
peche. q state on the IsthmuS Of
Tehuantepec. in the hope Of max
ing further discoveries.
Nazario Quintana Bello. who dis
covered Etzna about two years ago.
has been told by Indians in the in
terror that more archaeological
marvcls exist near the known ruins
Of the prehistoric city.
Although authorities are con-
WINGED that Etzna-Tixmucuy was q
large city. its extent has not been
determined. The part Of the an
cient city not yet known 10 srchae-
ologists is being kept clear Of I'M
derbrush.
Rich I'm Lore
The site Is rich in legendary lore.
and Indians of the region have told
Mexican explorers many an inter
cStlng tale. A mile from the heart
OF the ancient city. a 125-foot pile
Of stone. once a pyramid that
housed a temple on top, which the
Indians call "Mulxnac' or Hill Of
the Old Woman" has been discov-
cred. This mound is now buried
under the tropical jungle.
Etzna-Tixmucuy Is about forty
miles southeast OF the ancient vail
ed town Of Campechc. once a port
OF call ot the most notorious pir-
ates Of the Spanish Main. II is
twenty miles inland from the coast
Of Champoton. where the ancient
Itzaes took refuge when they fled
from Chichen TIA about 600 A. ID.
The known ruins cover an area
more than a mile In length and
breadth. A natural well which
breaks through the limestone crust
Of the peninsula has been discover
ed in the vicinity Of the ruins. This
well. or "cenote" is the only water
supply In the region and Is believed
to have attracted the ancient set
Eers 10 found the city az the site.
Pyramids Found
Pyramids with their fallen ruins
on top are heavily wooded and can
hardly be distinguished, even from
a close distance. Carved stone
monuments or stelae nave been
found at the site. n Of which
hears a Maya date deciphered by
Erique Juan F'alacios, Mexican ar
chaeologist. as Az "A. ID.
The most important building al
Etzr. l-Tixumu.uy today Is a large
five-story temple which rises from
a terraced acropolis 500 feet long
The five stories Of the temple are
built, not on top Of each other. but
in Maya style honeycombed
against the Teceding pyramid site.
50 that each floor IS above and
behind the below.
The top floor bears a 'roof-comb"
or a false front which gives the
appearance Of a sixth story. A
great stairway leads from the
ground floor front to the top floor
back. Hieroglyphic carvings are
en- many Of the stairs. These
carvings woIld probably be Of great
Importance II the roots Of the trees
in the long ages had not displaced
many of them from their natural
positions, something that is OF
much bearing In deciphering them.
40 Known Remains
More than forty known sites Of
archaeological remains exist In the
state Of Campeche. Remote cities
such as Hochob and Halactun ir
the state rival in beauty such pre-
historic sites as Uxmal In Yucatar..
The state Of Campeche was the
ground cf migrating tribes cen
turtles ago. These tribes had to
cross the state when they deserted
the ancient Maya empire In CHA
pas and Guatemala IN the south
for Yucatan, northward. about 600
"A. ID. Chiapas was also the ter
ritory to which the harassed tribes