File:Travels amongst American Indians - their ancient earthworks and temples - including a journey in Guatemala, Mexico and Yucatan, and a visit to the ruins of Patinamit, Utatlan, Palenque and Uxmal (14596857858).jpg

Identifier: travelsamongstam00brin (find matches)
Title: Travels amongst American Indians : their ancient earthworks and temples : including a journey in Guatemala, Mexico and Yucatan, and a visit to the ruins of Patinamit, Utatlan, Palenque and Uxmal
Year: 1894 (1890s)
Authors: Brine, Lindesay, 1834-1906
Subjects: Indians -- Antiquities Guatemala -- Antiquities Mexico -- Antiquities North America -- Description and travel
Publisher: London : S. Low, Marston & Company
Contributing Library: Brown University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brown University

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f good binding mortar.Each facing stone was made into a triangular shape,and the point or apex seems to have been pushed orfitted into its place, and there firmly secured bymortar. This method of applying the masonry wasadopted not only with the plain smooth blocks ofsquare stone used for facing the lower portions ofthe buildings, but also with all the sculptured por-tions of the walls. The blocks fit closely togetherin their 2:)laces so accurately and with such carefulfinish that the joints or edges can scarcely be dis-tinguished. It is thus made evident that the stone-masons who built Uxmal must have been men capableof performing their work with skill. The architectmust have possessed a competent knowledge of theprejDaration of a plan or design, and the masons, inseparately executing their part of the sculpture,must have been able to follow the design with anexactness that is almost mathematical. There have been many theories respecting themethods that may have been practised by the
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O WOODEN LINTELS. 357 Indians In executing their carvings upon stone, butno knowledge has been obtained which throws suffi-cient light upon the subject.* No attention hashowever been directed to the artisan qualities ofthe Avorkmen who shaped and fitted the lintels,which however prove that the workers in wood wereas skilful as the masons. The lintels were made ofwood harder than mahogany. I examined many ofthem with the utmost care, and could not detect theslightest mark or dent. It is doubtful whether agood carpenters plane could have given them asmoother siuface. The zapote trees out of which *The facing stones placed upon the walls of the ruins of Mitla,in the Mexican province of Oajaca, are fitted, or bedded, into themortar and rubble in the same manner as at Uxmal. At one of the evening conversaziones given by the RoyalSociety at Burlington House, in the spring of 1892, I happenedto discuss the subject of Palenque and Uxmal with Mr. Woolner,the sculptor. Some experiments had prev

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