GREAT DRAGON OF QUIRIGUA, GUATEMALA HOLMES. 459 



the close of the barbarian and the beginning of the civilized state, 

 was an accomplished fact— not the perfected representation of ele- 

 mentary sounds, perhaps, but rather symbols for words and syllables. 

 In many of the arts the Maya had made remarkable progress — in 

 architecture, sculpture, the cutting of gems, pottery, the textile art, 

 and metallurgy, they could compare favorably with the several 

 countries of central and western Europe at corresponding periods 

 down to the year 525 A. D. 



The future. — The great stone structures of Quirigua crumbled 

 beneath the attacks of destructive clmiatic agencies, aided possibly 

 by earthquakes and other natural forces, and were deserted by an im- 

 poverished and disheartened people; and it was not long before the 

 shattered walls were deeply buried beneath their own debris and 

 covered by the quick-growing tropical vegetation. The monolithic 

 sculptures scattered about the courts and plazas remained entirely 

 hidden from view by the thick veil that nature had spread over them. 

 To-day all are brought to light again and stand exposed in the open, 

 the delight of students and the marvel of the visiting world. In 

 this condition they are unfortunately subject to the attacks of wind 

 and rain, the wear by repeated cleaning, and injury by vandal hands. 

 Nature, after disaster had fallen upon the city, spread over the ruins 

 a mantle of protection, but to-day the exiplorer has exposed them to 

 further ruin. No wall, howsoever strong, will stand exposure in the 

 open in this climate for a single generation. The restored walls of 

 the principal building of Quirigiia, from 4 to 6 feet in thickness and 

 not exceeding 12 feet in height, laid up in 1910 with Portland cement, 

 are to-day in a state of ruin as complete as the original walls were 

 when first brought to light by the School of American Archseology. 

 In this state they are ready to welcome, as did the original ruins a 

 thousand or more years ago, the quick-growing veil of vegetation. 



The question of the future of these monuments thus becomes a 

 matter of interest to the whole civilized world. So precious are they 

 to history and science and so valuable as a material asset to the peo- 

 ple of Guatemala, that steps will certainly be taken to shelter them 

 from the dangers with which they are beset. Is it better then, con- 

 sidering impending obliteration, that they should have remained 

 forever entombed in the forest ? Certainly not, for the stage of civil- 

 ization has now arrived in which the historic value of such monu- 

 ments is appreciated, and their story, so far as archeological science 

 can reveal it, will soon be written into the literature of the world. 

 This record must be so full and lasting that should the works them- 

 selves entirely disappear the world shall still have, and for all time, 

 the full advantage of the story. Future generations will, however, 

 hardly excuse the present should no adequate steps be directed 



