Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-13

Delving into the dark depths Of a
great Maya pyramid at the Chichen
liza ruins in Yucatan, Psychologists of
the Carnegie Institution of Washington
and of the Mexican government have
found the council chamber of an an
cient religio-military secret society and
a great red throne carved in the like
ness Of a jaguar-one Of the most re-
markable Magyar objects yet recovered.
The pyramid itself dates from the
New Empire period, about the eleventh
century, when invaders from the West
fell upon the decadent "Old Empire"
and brought with them the worship of
the bloodthirsty god Kukulcan, the
feathered serpent. They introduced,
probably for the first time, human sac
rifice.
To their deity the invaders erected
grander temples than those which had
honored the older and gentler gods.
They did not bother, however, to tear
down the old pyramids, but built their
own around and over them. 1t was into
the chambers of one of these ancient
temples that the Psychologists pene-
trated.
The quest started in the Summer OF
1880 when an inner stairway leading into
the depths of the pyramid was dis
covered At the bottom was human
skeleton lying beside large stone chest
filled with jewels-turquoise, jade and
coral necklaces, pendants and buttons.
Probing still further over period OF sew
eral years they made their way into the
outer chamber of the inner temple.
Inside was found the stone statue OF
recumbent human fgure-a fantastic
thing with eyes of white bone in which
were set jet-black pupils.
Late last Summer the eXcavators made
their way into the inner chamber. The
walls were found to have been studded
at irregular intervals with the heads
of human thigh bones, presumably OBJ
tanned from sacrificed victims. At the
center of the chamber stood an enor-
nous box made of squared limestone
blocks and covered by two ponderous
stone slabs. Inside the box was a
throne fashioned from a single block
of stone. It was carved to represent
the figure of a jaguar and was painted
vivid red. In the dark for centuries,
the colors are as vivid today as when
they were painted. The spots OF the
jaguar are represented by inlays OF
apple-green Jade. The eyes also are
made Of unusually large pieces OF green
jade.
Resting upon the jaguar seat was
mosaic turquoise plaque upon Wnlch
reposed a shell necklace and jade
pendant carved to represent a human
figure According to DR.. Sylvanus Nor
ley, Carnegie Institution archeoioelst,
the object is most probably the throne
of some high dignitary OF the warrior
priest cult. Jaguar thrones CONSIDER
ably less elaborate have been found
in other Maya pyramids.
The jaguar long was sacred amman
of the Mayas. It was the largest and
fiercest of the New World wild cats.
In the sacred literature of the people
the animal is often mentioned. 1t was
considered symbol of strength and
bravery, a At companion for warriors.
Apparently it had much the same sym
bolic value in Central America as old
the lion in the Old World.
At first the animal appears to nave
been associated chiefly with the strictly
religious priesthood. AS Yucatan came
under the influence of aliens, who placed
more value on the military virtues, the
jaguar became the symbol OF the warrior.
ut is not improbable" says the Car.
negie report of the find, that figures OF
the jaguar. the eagle and other animals