Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/58

34 forms. It points to the megalithic age, as does the circular stone with much fine workmanship in alto relievo, the great seats cut out of monoliths, and the flight of stone steps to form an artificial cascade. On the Chavin stone we again have the Deity holding two sceptres, as at Tiahuanacu.

This stone was found in about 1840, in the parish of Chavin de Huantar, in the province of Huari, and within the valley of the Marañon. Here there is a curious Inca ruin, known as the Pucara de Chavin. The stone had fallen from the ruins above, but it does not follow that it was the same age as the ruins. It was probably once part of a much more ancient edifice, afterwards used to adorn the more recent Inca fortress. In 1874 the stone was taken to Lima by order of the government, where it now may be seen.  The Chavin stone is of diorite, 25 ft. long by 2 ft. 4 in. The carving is very elaborate, and covers the whole length and breadth of the stone. The principal figure occupies the lower half of the stone. The ornamentation is richer and more confused than that on the Tiahuanacu monolith. The head is still square, the chief difference being in the large mouth with teeth and tusks. The rays are not all round the head, but only on the sides, three in number. They are more curved, and end in heads resembling those of serpents. This was the conventional ornament 