Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 22.djvu/313

 DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE 3 I

possible that a further study of the remains may throw light on that little-known culture.

HAROLD SELLERS COLTON UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA

COMMENTS ON HANDBOOK OF ABORIGINAL AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES

(HOLMES)

IN the interest of future readers of Prof. W. H. Holmes' Handbook of Aboriginal American Antiquities which has recently been distributed by the Bureau of American Ethnology, permit me to draw attention to the following surprising statements concerning the archaeology of Mexico and Central America, which challenge comment and criticism.

On page 26 under the sub-title "Mexican Analogies" the following statements occur: "Even more diversified and remarkable are the corre- spondences existing between the architectural and sculptured remains of Middle America and those of southeastern Asia. In both regions the chief structures are pyramids ascended by four steep stairways of stone bordered by serpent ballustrades "

The truth is that the so-called pyramids of Mexico and Central America are in reality pyramidal mounds built up to serve as sub-struc- tures for temples, which, in war-time, were used as strongholds. In order to render the sanctuary as inaccessible as possible and to facilitate its defense access to the summit was gained by a single steep stairway only, situated on one of the four sides, the other three being generally subdivided into several terraces the scaling of which was practically impossible.

The single stairway is a common feature of the chief structures of all of the principal ruined cities of Mexico and Central America, i.e., Cholula, Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Palenque, Tikal, etc. In 1895 Prof. Holmes recognized the predominant use of the single stairway in his "Archaeological Studies Among the Ancient Cities of Mexico," which is justly prized by Americanists as a standard work of rare value and charm. In part I, on page 33, he figures eight examples of Maya terraces and pyramids, all with one stairway.

In the text on page 32, however, without citing examples, he states "It is not unusual to find two flights and three; and even four flights are known."

The contrast between this statement and his latest assertion that "The chief structures of Ancient Mexican and Central American cities are pyramids ascended by four steep stairways," seems inexplicable, for

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