American Antiquities: Corroborative of the Book of Mormon (18 June 1859)

AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES,

CORROBORATIVE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.

(Continued from page 371.)

(From the London Athenaeum, Dec. 13, 1856.)

“40, Albemarle Street, Dec. 10.

I tend to you herewith a translation of a letter which I have received from Don José Antonio Urrutia, Cura of Jutiapa, in the Department of the same name, State of Guatemala, Central America, giving an account of some ancient monuments found in his parish, not far from the town of Comapa. The existence of these monuments is now, for the first time, made known to the world. … I may here observe that in the year 1853 I traversed the State of San Salvador, the ancient Cuscatlan, throughout its length and breadth, visiting the monuments of its ancient inhabitants; but amongst the ruins I found none corresponding with those described in the accompanying letter. With these desultory observations, I submit to you the letter of the Padre Urrutia, subscribing myself yours,

E.G. Squier.”

“Jutiapa, Guatemala, Jan. 8.

Sir,—Shaping in those archaeological tastes which, fortunately, are spreading in this country, so rich in monuments of an ancient civilization, I have lately devoted some time to the study of the antiquities falling within the extensive parish under my charge, and of which I propose to give you some brief notices; first, in reference to the fine ruins, hitherto unknown, of the very ancient city called Cinaca-Mecallo. To the southward, and not far from the town of Comapa, are some steep mountains, the bases of which are washed by the large river Paz or Paza, which constitutes the boundary between Guatemala and San Salvador. Upon the highest of these mountains is an extensive plain, drained by a multitude of small streams, the waters of which, uniting in a common channel, are precipitated over a ledge of rocks 15 yards in height, and mingle with those of the river, forming one of the most beautiful cataracts in this department. Upon the highest part of this plain are found the remains of an ancient city of the primitive inhabitants of America, which have successfully resisted the attacks of time, and the heavy walls of which seem ostentatiously to defy the operations of the elements. The very lofty position of these rains, from which may be traced the majestic course of the river which flows at the base of the mountains even to the sea, and from which the eye traverses the wide plains dotted with villages of the neighbouring State of San Salvador, taking in the volcanoes of Chingo and Izalco, the American Vesuvius, with its plume of smoke rising to mid-heaven, and including the lakes of Huija and Atescatempa,—this position lends additional interest to the ruins, since it indicates a high appreciation of the grand and beautiful on the part of the builders of the ancient city. The place where these ruins are found, as I have said, is known by the name of Cinaca-Mecallo, which, in the mixed idiom of Mam and Mexican now spoken by the people of this district, signifies knotted rope (cordel anudado), given perhaps by the primitive inhabitants in consequence of the many vines found in these mountains, and used in binding together the frames of the huts and houses of the people. The walls, or remains of the wall of the city, describe an oval figure, within which various roads or streets may be traced, various subterranean passages, and many ruined edifices. The materials of construction are principally thin stones, or a species of slate, united by a kind of cement, which, in colour and consistence, resembles melted lead (plomo derritido). Amongst the monuments there are three which claim special notice. The first of these is a temple, consecrated to the sun, chiefly excavated in the solid rock, and having its door opening towards the east. On the archway of the entrance, which is formed of slabs united to each other, are found sculptured representations of the sun and moon, and in the interior are found some hieroglyphics. This monument is known amongst the Indians as Tee-tunal (stone of the sun). Besides the bassi rilievi, these stones bear hieroglyphics painted with a kind of red varnish, which, notwithstanding its long exposure to the weather, remains unimpaired. Many of the stones found in excavating, in all parts of these ruins, are painted with this varnish. Of the subterranean passages found amongst these ruins, there is one which has become celebrated, and is still the subject of many popular stories, as having been the retreat of a celebrated bandit, named Partideno, who was finally captured here by the people of Comapa. Desiring to explore this passage, and in spite of the entreaties of the superstitious Indians not to venture in it, I provided myself with a hatchet and a torch of pine, and entered. After many difficulties, I succeeded in reaching a kind of saloon, where I found various blocks of stone, carved with the arms of the ancient Indians, in all respects similar to others which I had previously found in other parts of the ruins and sent to the President of Guatemala in 1853. The second notable object, and which is no less worthy of attention, is a great slab of stone, covered with inscriptions or hieroglyphics, which, from the little knowledge I have been able to obtain of their meaning, appear to me to convey only representations of the economy of human life (la pintura de la economia de la vida humana). The first is a tree, symbol of life; the last a skull, emblem of death. The third object is a wild animal resembling a tiger, sculptured in a stone or rock of great size, and which, I conjecture, was intended as a monument commemorative of some great victory. … These, sir, are the most remarkable objects found in this ancient and ruined city. Outside of the walls, and in a little plain not far distant, are a number of mounds which, doubtless, are the burial-places of the dead. The proportions of these rude sepulchres, unshaded by cypresses and unmarked by chiselled stones, nevertheless convey to us the probable position and influence of the dead whom they cover. It is a custom still preserved amongst the Indians to throw a handful of earth or a stone upon the grave of the distinguished dead, as a tribute to their memory. The more numerous these contributions, the higher the tumulus which is thus gradually accumulated. I have thus given you a few of the notes which I have made upon the ancient ruins in this department. I hope soon to have the pleasure of sending you others. Meantime, I may mention that I have, agreeably to promise, sent copies of some of the hieroglyphics, which I have alluded to the care of the Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg. Your obedient servant, &c.,

            Jose Antonio Urrutia.”

(To be continued.)