72 COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION AT MADRID. 



the Mexican Empire, thus proving that the alleged extraordinary cul 

 ture of the Toltecs, or ancient inhabitants of Tula, was quite fictitious. 



A very interesting feature of this collection were the relics and 

 photographs of the explorations of Mr. Hermann Stiibel in that portion 

 of the State of Vera Cruz, Mexico, which lies within the boundaries of 

 the ancient provice of the Totonacos. This province was supposed to 

 have been occupied in ancient times by two distinct nations, the one 

 of which, and probably the older, were the Totonacos, and the second, 

 some branch of the Nahuatl stock, who appeared later on the scene as 

 conquerors. This fact is reached from the very different character of 

 the remains which are discovered in localities closely adjoining. Some 

 of these bear unmistakable identity with the productions of the 

 Nahuas, while others show a character of industry which we do not 

 find where that stock exclusively inhabited. 



For instance, the earthenware in some places is richly painted and 

 decorated Avith designs whose style is in all respects similar to the pot 

 tery found on the table-land of Mexico. These specimens have often, 

 superposed on the red or black clay of which the object is made, a fine 

 white clay disposed so as to form ornamental designs; whereas another 

 variety of pottery is coated with fine red clay deriving its color from 

 an oxide of iron, and this is scaled off so as to show the whitish clay 

 beneath, and in this manner produce the desired % decoration. The 

 motives of the decoration itself also differ, that of the Totonacos repre 

 senting in preference such objects as alligators, fish, snakes, monkeys, 

 or rude faces of men. 



Among the specimens of pottery from this source are also found a 

 great many small figures apparently made in imitation of living persons. 

 There is one type quite frequent where the face is broad, the head flattened, 

 and a certain expression present in the physiognomy which recalls that 

 so common on Chinese porcelain. The relics which have been found 

 presenting the greater similarities to these types are those of their 

 neighbors of the north, the Huastecas, on the river Panuco, who were a 

 cultivated people of the Maya stock, and who have left in their own 

 locality many traces of a comparatively high civilization. 



From this part of Mexico there are derived a class of antiquities 

 which have much puzzled the archa3ologist. These are heavy yokes of 

 stone, some weighing as much as sixty pounds, the surface either pol 

 ished and plain or carved, and often elaborately, with complex figures 

 in relief. The purposes which these could have subserved have already 

 been discussed above in connection with similar specimens exhibited by 

 the Government of Mexico. 



The researches in Peru of Drs. lleiss and Stiibel, which have become 

 so well known through other magnificent publications, are illustrated 

 by a few original objects and a large number of sketches, designs, and 

 chromographs. These researches were especially in two directions 

 one in exploring the ancient cemetery of Ancon, the other in examining 



