70 APPENDIX. 



cement probably is, that in the alluvial soil of this coast no stones occur within a 

 distance of fifty miles and more from the sea-shore ; stone implements, such as 

 axes, chisels, grinding-stones, obsidian flakes, etc., which occasionally are also 

 found, can have been introduced only by trade. The pottery and the idols made 

 of terra-cotta show a high degree of perfection. Regarding the period down to 

 which such earthenware was made, a broken vase, disinterred from one of the 

 mounds in my presence, may give a clue. Its two handles represent Spaniards, 

 with their European features, beard, Catalonian cap, and polainas or gaiters."* 

 Supposing Dr. Berendt had not found that vase, which undoubtedly was made 

 after the conquest, and, moreover, had been ignorant of the details of that event, 

 he might have been led into the error of attributing a very high antiquity to the 

 ruins discovered by him. 



On the other hand, it is natural to suppose that many of the buildings in 

 Yucatan and the neighboring countries were deserted, and in a more or less 

 dilapidated state-, when the Spaniards appeared upon American soil. These 

 structures were erected at diff'erent periods, and not age alone, but various other 

 causes, such as defeat in war, or superstitious fear arising from some calamity, 

 and kindred motives, may have led to the desertion of many long before the 

 conquest. It is to be regretted that the early authors, to whom we are indebted 

 for the first accounts of these buildings, generally mention them superficially 

 and incidentally, in connection with other matters deemed of greater importance 

 to them, and thus fail to give such details as might serve to impart positive 

 information. The buildings, on the whole, were either temples or dwellings for 

 princes and other persons of rank. The common people probably lived near 

 these structures in habitations of perishable character,. all traces of which have 

 long disappeared. Such an assemblage of substantial and frail erections may 

 have constituted a Yucatec city in olden times.f Historical evidence is not 



* Berendt: Remarks on the Centres of Ancient Civilization in Central America (read before the American 

 Geographical Society, July 10, 1876) ; New York, 1876, p. 8. 



f It appears, nevertheless, that in some parts of Yucatan the people constructed their dwellings of stone. 

 Juan Diaz, the chaplain who accompanied and afterward described Grijalva's expedition to Yucatan, gives some 

 information on the subject. Upon landing near a village on the Island of Cozumel, Grijalva met with a favorable 

 reception on the part of the Indians. They conducted the commander with ten or twelve of his companions to a 

 hall, where they supplied the strangers with food. This hall, the report says, was built of closely-fitting stones 

 and covered with straw. The Spaniards afterward " entered the village, all houses of which were built of stone. 

 Five of the buildings, surmounted by turrets, were particularly well constructed. The base of these edifices is 

 very large and massive ; the upper structure, however, very small. They appear to have been built a long time 

 ago ; but there are also new ones. This village or town was paved with concave stones, and its streets sloped 

 toward the middle, which was entirely paved with large stones. The sides were occupied by the houses of the 

 inhabitants. They are constructed of stone from the found.ations up to the middle height of the walls, and 

 covered with straw. Judging from the edifices and houses, these Indians appear to be very ingenious, and if wa 

 had not seen several recent structures, we might have thought these buildings were the work of the Spaniards." 

 Sailing along the coast of Yucatan, the adventurers came in sight of several towns of the same character, one of 

 them so extensive and well built as to suggest a comparison with Seville. "Wooden dwellings built by fishermen, 



