68 ARCHJi}OLOGICAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL 



circular disk with an elevated small boss in the centre, to which tasselled pendants 

 are attached. The right wrist is adorned by a double bracelet, apparently of a 

 textile material. The left wrist is covered by a spiral ornament. From the head 

 and neck issue winding staves, to which not only knots or nodes are attached, but 

 also variously-shaped leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits: apparently these are symbols 

 of speech, replacing our letters, and expressing the mandate of the deity. 



As to the theological principle symbolized by this deity I do not venture to 

 express an opinion, for want of characteristic attributes; it is only by deciphering 

 the mandate represented by the winding staves above mentioned that we can 

 arrive at a positive knowledge of his true character. The only intelligible signs 

 are the wrinkles in the face, indicating an advanced age in the deity, and conse- 

 quently he might be supposed to represent sentiments only peculiar to old age. 



The lower part of the sculpture represents an erect human figure with the face 

 turned up toward the deity imploringly, and from the mouth emanates a staff with 

 nodes variously arranged. The appeal is still further intensified by the raising of 

 the right hand and arm. A human head partly covers the head of the figure, 

 from which hang variously-shaped ribbons, terminating in the body and tail of a 

 fish. From the lobe of the ear depends a large ring ; around the neck is a kind 

 of cravat ; at its termination, on the breast, is a circular gorget with a tassel. 

 Above the riglit wrist is a double bracelet, apparently formed of small square 

 stones ; the left hand is covered, gauntlet-like, by a human skull, and the wrist is 

 ornamented by a double scaly bracelet. The waist is encircled by a stiff projecting 

 girdle, which differs from the general style of this ornament by having attached to 

 it on the side a human head, with another human head suspended from it. One 

 of these heads, and the ornaments of the other, are somewhat eftaced on account 

 of the erosion of the stone. From the front of the girdle emanate four lines, 

 which ascend towards the deity, uniting at the top. They seem to symbolize the 

 emotions of the person, not expressed by words. From the lower edge of the 

 girdle, in front, hangs a ribbon tied in a profuse bow with pendent ends. The 

 right leg is adorned below the knee with a garter and a pear-shaped pendant. 

 The right foot is provided with a kind of shoe, without, liowever, offering any 

 cover to the toes, while the left foot is covered entirely by a shoe of different con- 

 struction. From behind the image issue flames. 



*o"^ 



Sculpture Number III, Plate II. 



This is a block of tlie same dimensions as the previous one. Although the 

 encircling border is wanting, the carved portion is nine feet and a half in length, just 

 as in the other slabs. The scvdpture of the uppermost third hkewise represents a 

 deity. Though as in the slab last described tlie head and upper part of the breast 

 are those of a human form, the hands are provided witli claws, indicating ferocity, 

 which is furthermore corroborated by the position of the arms and the erect hair. 

 The head is covered by a square cap with three arches arising from it. The lobes 

 of the ears are ornamented with small circular disks. Encircling the neck is a 

 necklace formed of small balls, to each of wliich is attached a pear-shaped pendant. 



