RUINS OF TENAMPUA, HONDURAS — POPENOE 563 



the plateau. Jutting out from the center of this wall and extending 

 down the hillside at right angles to it is a second wall 22 meters in 

 length, terminating in a buttress 5 meters in thickness. 



The usefulness of the main wall in enabling the defenders to repulse 

 an enemy which might attempt to cross the narrow causeway is 

 obvious. Not so clear is the purpose of the extension down the hill- 

 side. Below the buttress is the actual separation between the two 

 mountains, consisting of a deep barranca formed originally by the 

 action of water. I climbed to the bottom of this barranca and exam- 

 ined both sides carefully. The upper slopes are evidently natural, 

 but there is a vertical cut immediately above the stream, 6 meters in 

 depth on both sides, which has the appearance of being artificial in 

 origin, or at least finished artificially to strengthen the defenses, 



Tiie walls are not particularly well built. They are made of broken 

 rock. The fragments are more or less uniform in size, approximately 

 45 to 60 centimeters in diameter, and are piled against one another 

 without any suggestion of breaking joints. The interstices are 

 chinked with mud. 



Evidences of superimposed construction, probably dating from a 

 much later period than the original wall, are seen in several places. 

 The,y consist of gaps filled with newly broken stone without mud 

 chinking. These portions contrast strongly with the moss-covered 

 and weather-worn face of the original wall. It seems probable that 

 they are the work of modern armies. Gen. Vicente Tosta, during the 

 campaign of 1924, is said to have stationed troops at this spot for 

 several weeks. 



On the extreme edge of the plateau is another wall. This is smaller 

 but of similar construction. Except for these two artificial defenses, 

 the plateau is almost perfectly protected by the natural cliff, which 

 drops away on all sides to merge with the valley floor some 300 meters 

 below. 



THE WATER SUPPLY 



All that can now be seen of the ruins are numerous mounds and 

 terraces overgrown with pine woods and grass. Great roots of fast- 

 growing trees are tearing apart the steps and stone facings ; grazing 

 cattle roam over the site and further the work of destruction. 



It is to be assumed that this spot served in ancient times not only 

 as a fortress to be held against attack, but also as a refuge for the 

 entire populace of nearby towns and villages. 



In addition to adequate defenses on all sides, Tenampua would 

 need, therefore, a water supply sufficient to meet the requirements of 

 a siege. 



Tlie principal ruins are clustered upon the southeastern corner of 

 the plateau. To the west is a large depression in the rock surface, 



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