Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/590

574 574 ANCIENT AMERICAN AECIIITECTURE. Part TII. the great buildings at Uxmal are contemiDorary with the temples of Nakhon Wat and Hullabeed, and the cathedrals of Kheims and Toledo. Whether or not there ^-as any communication direct or in- direct between these buildings, which are geographically so remotely distant, is another question, to which no satisfactory answer can be given in the present state of our knowledge, and if any is attempted it must be a negative one.i As in Mexico, the principal monument of Yucatan is the teocalli. in the latter ]irovince, however, they seem to differ somewhat in design from those above described. They are not generally in terraces, but rise, at an angle of about 45°, to the level of the platfoi-m on which the temple stands ; and a magnificent unbroken flight of steps leads from the base of the building to its summit Almost all 998. Elevation of Teooalli at Paleiique. Scale r,0 ft. to 1 in. these retain more or less of the rejuains of architectural magnificence that once adorned their summits. The annexed Woodcut, No. 998, representing the elevation of a temple at Palenque (the plan of which is shown below), supported by a pyramid will give a good general idea of their form. The pyramid is about 280 ft. ^ square, and 60 ft. in heioht: on the 999. Plan of Temple. Scale 50 ft. to! in. . . v ^ j .i. i t^ r top oi It Stands the temple, 76 ft. wide in front and 25 ft. deep, ornamented in stucco with bassi- relievi of better execution than is usually found in these parts, and 1 Since the first edition of this work was pubHshed, a folio worlv has ap- peared in Paris, entitled "Les Paiines de Palenque." ilhistrated by plates, made under the superintendence of M. de Waldeck, with text by the Abbe Brassenr de Bourbonrc;. The text is certainly not to be trusted. The plates add little to what we learn from Cather- wood's drawings, and I do not feel sure how far that little is to be depended upon. In so far as they go they confirm the idea of the famous cross bas-relief being of Christian origin.