File:Incidents of travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan (1858) (14577216529).jpg

Identifier: incidentsoftrave11step (find matches)
Title: Incidents of travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan
Year: 1858 (1850s)
Authors: Stephens, John L, 1805-1852
Subjects: Indians of Central America Indians of Mexico Mayas
Publisher: New York : Harper & Brothers
Contributing Library: Brigham Young University-Idaho, David O. McKay Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University-Idaho

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seventy-two feet in front, andbut twelve feet deep. The front is much ruined, but even in its decaypresents the most elegant and tasteful arrangementof ornaments to be seen in Uxmal, of which no ideacould be given in any but a large engraving. Theemblems of life and death appear on the wall inclose juxta-position, confirming the belief in theexistence of that worship practised by the Egyp-tians and all other Eastern nations, and before re-ferred to as prevalent among the people of Uxmal.The interior is divided into three apartments, thatin the centre being twenty-four feet by seven, andthose on each side nineteen feet by seven. Theyhave no communication with each other; two havetheir doors opening to the east and one to the west.A narrow platform five feet wide projects from allthe four sides of the building. The northern end isdecayed, and part of the eastern front, and to thisfront ascends a grand staircase one hundred andtwo feet high, seventy feet wide, and containingninety steps.
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■I! ;f. HUMAN SACRIFICES. 317 The engraving opposite represents this front.The steps are very narrow, and the staircase steep;and after we had cleared away the trees, and therewere no branches to assist us in climbing, the as-cent and descent were difficult and dangerous.The padre Cogolludo, the historian referred to,says that he once ascended these steps, and thatwhen he attempted to descend he repented; hissight failed him, and he was in some danger. Headds, that in the apartments of the building, whichhe calls small chapels/5 wTere the idols, and thatthere they made sacrifices of men, women, and chil-dren. Beyond doubt this lofty building was a greatTeocalis, EI grande de los Kues, the great tem-ple of idols worshipped by the people of Uxma1consecrated by their most mysterious rites, the holi-est of their holy places. The High Priest had inhis Hand a large, broad, and sharp Knife made ofFlint. Another Priest carried a wooden collarwrought like a snake. The persons to be sacrifice

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