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ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 3 5 



THE PARALLEL STRUCTURE 



This was described by Sqiiier, and more recently S. K. Lothrop haa 

 published a plan (Indian Notes, vol. 4, 1927). Both these authorities 

 are of the opinion that we have here the remains of a ball court,, 

 comparable to those used by the Mayas and Aztecs. 



The structure is composed of two parallel mounds, each 30 meters; 

 in length ; they stand upon a low terrace, with a level open space 11 

 meters wide between them. On their inner sides the mounds are faced 

 with stone slabs 1 meter in height and 40 to 50 centimeters wide. 



PiGUEB 2. — Clay vessel (reconstructed) from the principal mound in the Central 

 Enclosure. The decoration is in three colors, cream, brick red, and dark brown. 



THE SOUTHERN GROUP 



Though Squier considered the Central Enclosure the most im- 

 portant unit of Tenampua, to me the Southern Group seems to merit 

 this distinction (map, fig. 3). Its chief characteristic is a sunken 

 court or plaza approximately 115 meters long by 30 wide, which a low 

 stone wall divides into 2 parts, 1 at a slightly lower level than 

 the other (about 1 meter). A number of small mounds, irregularly 

 arranged, dot the lower court. Seven steps lead from the upper 

 court — the floor of which is level and devoid of mounds — to the level 

 of the platform (pi. 1, fig. 2). 



The Southern Terrace, a raised platform 30 meters long and nearly 

 10 meters high, rises from the southern part of the lower court (pi. 2, 

 fig. 1). It stands at the very edge of the plateau and commands a 

 magnificent view over the valley of Comaj^agua lying far below. On 

 its summit are four mounds arranged after the same fashion as those 

 of the Central Enclosure; the largest, 10 meters square by 3 meters 



