The Prehistoric World or Vanished races Part 37

Hist. Col.," Vol. VIII, of the third series.

(17) Consult "The Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," by Lucian Carr, of the Kentucky Graphical Survey, where this subject is fully treated, and copious quotations given.

(18) Morgan's "Ancient Society," p. 526.

(19) Bandelier's "Fifth Annual Report, Arch. Inst.," p. 60.

(20) "Charlevoix's Travels in North America," p. 241.

(21) Fourth Annual Report of Peabody Museum, and from information furnished me by the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology.

(22) "The custom of palisading appears to have been general among the northern tribes."--Brackenridge's "Views of Louisiana," p. 182.

(23) "Views of Louisiana," p. 183.

(24) "Archaeology Americanae," Vol. I., p. 145.

(25) "Views of Louisiana," p. 182.

(26) Carr: "Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," p. 78.

(27) Quoted from Brinton, _Am. Antiq.,_ Oct., 1881.

(28) Hist. Col. of Louisiana, Vol. II., p. 105.

(29) "Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," p. 90.

(30) "Expedition to Florida," p. 15.

(31) Shea's "Early Voyages on the Mississippi," p. 135.

"Historical Collections of Louisiana," Vol. I., p. 61. Quoted from Cyrus Thomas in _American Antiquarian,_ March, 1884.

(32) See article by Cyrus Thomas, of the Bureau of Ethnology, in _American Antiquarian,_ March, 1884.

(33) "History of Louisiana," Lond., 1763, Vol. II., pp. 188 and 211.

(34) Father Le Pet.i.t: Note, p. 142. "Hist. Col. Louisiana,"

Vol. III.

(35) "Hist. of the Five Nations," Introduction, p. 16.

(36) Smithsonian Contribution to Knowledge, No. 259, p. 15; "Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," p. 87.

(37) "Notes on Virginia," p. 191.

(38) Catlin's "North American Indians," p. 95.

(39) Foster's "Prehistoric Races of the U.S.," p. 346.

(40) Pueblo Chettro-kettle, Chaco Canyon.

(41) "Geographical and Geological Survey of the Territories,"

Hayden, 1876, p. 440. Calculations made by Mr. Holmes.

(42) Brinton's "Floridian Peninsula," p. 21. We think, however, this statement requires to be taken with some allowance.

Personal liberty seems to have been the birthright of every Indian. ("Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," Carr, p. 24.) The council of the tribe is the real governing body of all people in a tribal state of society. ("Ancient Society," Morgan.) When the war-chief united in his person priestly powers also, he at once became an object of greater interest. This explains why the government of the chiefs among all the Southern Indian tribes appears so much more arbitrary than among the northern tribes.

His real power was probably much the same in both cases, but superst.i.tion had surrounded his person with a great many formalities. The early explorers, acquainted only with the arbitrary governments of Europe, saw in all this despotic powers whereas there might not have been much foundation for this belief.

(43) "Traditions of Decodah," Pidgeon. Carr, "Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," p. 70.

(44) "Indian Migrations," _American Antiquarian,_ April, 1883.

(45) Mr. Hale suggests that copper was the gold of the North American Indians, and that the "golden city" simply means a city or town where they knew how to work copper. It is well known that the mound building tribes had such knowledge, at least they knew how to work native copper.

(46) This tradition was first made known by Heckwelder, a missionary among the Delawares, in his "History of the Indian Nations." It is repeated at much greater length, and with additional particulars, in a paper read by Mr. E. G. Squier, before the Historical Society of New York. Mr. Squier has simply translated a genuine Indian record known as the Bark Record. The two authorities here mentioned consider the Delawares as coming from west of the Mississippi. Mr. Hale points out that it was more likely the Upper St. Lawrence--that portion known as the Detroit River--that was the "Great River" of the traditions.

(47) From this word comes Alleghany Mountains and River.

(48) In this connection it is at least interesting to note that several authors--Squier, MacLean, and others--have contended, judging from the fortified hills and camps, that the pressure of hostilities on the Mound Builders of the Ohio Valley was from the north-east.

(49) The Chata-muskoki family. (Brinton.) (50) Hale: _American Antiquarian,_ April, 1883.

(51) We are not at all certain but our scholars will shortly come to the conclusion that the Cherokees or Shawnees are quite as likely to be the descendants of the Allegewi as the Natchez.

(52) It is scarcely necessary to caution the reader as to the value of this statement of ancient greatness. The chroniclers of De Soto's expedition had nothing to say about it.

(53) Pickett's "History of Alabama," Vol. II.

(54) Du Pratz: "History of Louisiana," Vol. II.

(55) Stone _metates,_ or mills, have so far been found only in Missouri, not far from the Missouri River. As this is such an important implement among the Pueblo tribes, its presence in this locality is significant. (Thomas.) (56) As the proof seems to be conclusive that the Indians of the south who were encountered by the Europeans first visiting that section were the builders of the mounds of that region, it brings these works down to a date subsequent to the entry of the civilized tribes into Mexico. (Thomas.) (57) Some of the pottery from South-eastern Missouri and Arkansas shows a strong resemblance to that of some Pueblo tribes. (Thomas.) (58) Short's "North Americans of Antiquity," p. 202.

(59) Morgan: "Ancient Society," p. 12.

(60) "Fifth Annual Report Archaeological Inst.i.tute," p. 85.

(61) Short's "North Americans of Antiquity," p. 458.

(62) Carr: "Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," p. 97.

(63) "Ancient Monuments," p. 14.

Chapter XIII.

THE NAHUA TRIBES.

Early Spanish discoveries in Mexico--The Nahua tribes defined--Climate of Mexico--The Valley of Anahuac--Ruins at Tezcuco--The hill of Tezcocingo--Ruins at Teotihuacan--Ancient Tulla--Ruins in the province of Querataro--Casa Grandes in Chihuahua--Ancient remains in Sinaloa--Fortified hill of Quemada--The Pyramid of Cholula--Mr.

Bandelier's investigations at Cholula--Fortified hill at Xochicalco--Its probable use--Ruins at Monte Alban--Ancient remains at Mitla--Mr.

Bandelier's investigations--Traditions in regard to Mitla--Ruins along the Panuco River--Ruins in Vera Cruz--Pyramid of Papantla--Tusapan--Character of Nahua Ruins.

When the s.h.i.+ps of the Spanish admiral came to anchor before the Island of San Salvador, he had indeed discovered a "New World." It was inhabited by a race of people living in a state of society from which the inhabitants of Europe had emerged long before the dawn of authentic history. The animal and plant life were also greatly different from any thing with which they were acquainted. The Spaniards little suspected the importance of their discovery. Columbus himself died in the belief that he had simply explored a new route to Asia. A quarter of a century elapsed after the first voyage of Columbus before an expedition coasted along the sh.o.r.es of Mexico. This was the expedition of Juan De Grijalva, in 1518. He gave a glowing description of the country he had seen, which "from the beauty and verdure of its indented sh.o.r.es, and the lovely appearances of its villages, he called 'New Spain.'"<1>

Ill.u.s.tration of Map of Mexico.-------------------

This was followed, in the year 1519, by the history-making expedition of Cortez. The scene of his first landing was about forty miles south of the present town of Vera Cruz, but to this place they soon removed. At his very first landing-point he learned of the existence of what he was pleased to call a powerful empire, ruled by a most valiant prince. The accounts the Indian allies gave him of the power and wealth of this empire inflamed the imagination of Cortez and his followers. This was an age, we must remember that delighted in tales of the marvelous; add to this the further fact that Cortez was not, at the beginning of his expedition, acting with the sanction of his royal master; indeed, his sailing from the island of Cuba was in direct violation of the commands of the governor. It was very necessary for him to impress upon the court of Spain a sense of the importance of his undertaking.

Certain it is that the accounts that have been handed down to us, though read with wonder and admiration, though made the basis on which many writers have constructed most glowing descriptions of the wonders of the barbaric civilization, which they would fain have us believe, rivaled that of "Ormus and of Ind," are to-day seriously questioned by a large and influential portion of the scientific world. We have another point to be considered that is of no little weight, as all candid men must admit that it would influence the opinions the Spaniards would form of the culture of the Indians. As the man of mature years has lost the memory of his childhood, so have the civilized races of men lost, even beyond the reach of tradition, the memory of their barbaric state. The Spaniards were brought face to face with a state of society from which the Indo-European folks had emerged many centuries before. They could not be expected to understand it, and hence it is that we find so many contradictory statements in the accounts of the early explorers; so much that modern scholars have no hesitation in rejecting.

The main tribe of the empire which Cortez is said have overthrown is known to us by the name of the Aztecs; but as this name properly denotes but one of many tribes in the same state of development, it is better to use a word which includes all, or nearly all, of the tribes that in olden times had their home in the territory now known as Mexico. Careful comparisons of the various dialects of ancient Mexico have shown that, with the exceptions of some tribes in Vera Cruz, they all belonged to one stock-language; and so they are collectively known as the Nahua tribes.<2>

We wish now to inquire into the culture of this people, to see how much of the strange story that the Spaniards have to tell us has a reasonable foundation. We will state frankly that, though the literature on this subject is of vast proportions, yet it is very far from being a settled field. All accounts of the early explorers of the strange scenes, customs, and manners of the inhabitants, when they were first discovered, are so intermixed with self-evident fables, and statements that are undoubtedly exaggerations, that we have a most difficult task before us. We will first examine the antiquities of this section, compare them with those found in more northern regions, and then examine the statements of the early writers as to the customs of the people. We do not propose to do more than to follow after our leaders in thought, and try to make plain the conclusions to which they have arrived. We are not to deal wholly with a prehistoric people, though their origin is unknown. What we desire to do is to clear away the mists of three and a half centuries, and to catch, if possible, a glimpse of what was probably the highest development of prehistoric culture in North America just before the arrival of the Spaniards.

Mexico was surely a land well adapted to the needs of a prehistoric people. Along the coasts the ground is low. This const.i.tutes what is known as the "Hot Country."<3> The greater part of Mexico consists of an elevated table-land, which rises in a succession of plateaus. As we leave the coast region and climb the plateau, we experience changes of climate. If it were level, it would have mainly a tropical climate, but owing to the elevation we have just mentioned, it has mainly a temperate climate. The whole plateau region is cut up with mountains. The Sierra Madre, on the west, is the main chain, but numerous cross-ranges occur.

The result is, a greater part of Mexico abounds in fertile, easily defended valleys--just such localities as are much sought after by a people in barbaric culture, constantly exposed to the a.s.saults of invading foes.<4>

We may as well pa.s.s at once to the valley of Anahuac, the most noted in all the region, and learn of the antiquities of this central section. It is in this valley that the capital of the Mexican Republic is situated.

All travelers who have had occasion to describe its scenery have been enthusiastic in its praise. The valley is mountain-girt and lake-dotted, and in area not far different from the State of Rhode Island. On one of the princ.i.p.al lakes was located the Pueblo of Tenocht.i.tlan, the head-quarters of the Aztecs, commonly known as the City of Mexico. When Cortez first stood upon the encircling mountains, and gazed down upon the valley, he saw at his feet one of the most prosperous and powerful pueblos of the New World.

This is not the place to recount the story of its fall. Our present inquiry is concerned solely with the remains of its prehistoric age.

The enthusiastic Spaniards would have us believe in a city of Oriental magnificence. We have no ill.u.s.trations of this pueblo. It was almost completely destroyed by Cortez before its final surrender in August, 1521. It was then rebuilt as the capital city of New Spain. Of course, all traces of its original buildings soon disappeared. What we can learn of its appearance is derived from the accounts of the early writers, which we will examine in their proper place. After having surveyed the entire field of ruins, we will be much better qualified to judge of the vague statements of its former grandeur. A few relics have, indeed, been found buried beneath the surface of the old city. They ill.u.s.trate the culture of the people, as will be noticed further on.

Directly across the lake from the Pueblo of Mexico was that of Tezcuco, the head-quarters of the second powerful tribe of the Aztec Confederacy.

Traces only are recoverable of its former buildings. At the southern end of the modern town were found the foundations of three great pyramids.

They were arranged in a line from north to south. Mr. Mayer says of these ruins: "They are about four hundred feet in extent on each side of their base, and are built partly of adobe and partly of large, burned bricks and fragments of pottery."<5> He tells us further that the sides of the pyramids "were covered with fragments of idols, clay vessels, and obsidian knives." From other discoveries, it would seem these pyramids were coated with cement. The suggestion is made that on one of these pyramids stood the great temple of Tezcuco, which, an early writer tells us, was ascended by one hundred and seventeen steps.

Ill.u.s.tration of Bas-Relief, Tezcuco.--------

In another part of the town a sculptured block of stone was found, of which this cut is given. "It appears to be the remains of a trough or basin, and the sculpture is neatly executed in relief. I imagine that it was designed to represent a conflict between a serpent and a bird, and you can not fail to remark the cross distinctly carved near the lower right-hand corner of the vessel." Bullock, who traveled in Mexico in 1824, has left a brief description of the ruins of what he calls a palace. "It must have been a n.o.ble building.... It extended for three hundred feet, forming one side of the great square, and was placed on sloping terraces raised one above the other by small steps. Some of these terraces are still entire and covered with cement.... From what is known of the extensive foundations of this palace, it must have covered some acres of ground."<6> This last statement is doubtless exaggerated.

From what we know of Indian architecture, these ruins were doubtless long, low, and narrow, and placed on one or more sides of a square, perhaps inclosing a court.

About three miles from the town of Tezcuco is a very singular group of ruins. This is the Hill of Tezcocingo. This is very regular in outline, and rises to the height of about six hundred feet. A great amount of work has evidently been bestowed on this hill, and some very far-fetched conclusions have been drawn from it. Probably as notable a piece of work as any was the aqueduct which supplied the hill with water, and this is really one of the most wonderful pieces of aboriginal work with which we are acquainted.

The termination of the aqueduct is represented in our next cut. This is about half-way up the hill, right on the edge of a precipitous descent of some two hundred feet. "It will be observed in the drawing that the rock is smoothed to a perfect level for several yards, around which seats and grooves are carved from the adjacent ma.s.ses. In the center there is a circular sink, about a yard and a half in diameter and a yard in depth, and a square pipe, with a small aperture, led the water from an aqueduct which appears to terminate in this basin. None of the stones have been joined with cement, but the whole was chiseled, from the mountain rock."<7> This has been called "Montezuma's Bath," simply from the custom of naming every wonderful ruin for which no other name was known after that personage; but this was not a bath, but a reservoir of water.

Ill.u.s.tration of Montezuma's Bath.--------