GAXX] MAYA INDIANS OF YUCATAN" AND BEITISH HONDURAS 115 



inconso burners took plac«», the fragments being scattered in all direc- 

 tions around the entire circumference of the large mound. 



MouxD No. 22 



Mound No. 22, situated at Saltillo, near the mouth of the Rio 

 Nuevo, northern district of British Honduras, was partially explored 

 in 1908-9 on behalf of the Institute of Archasology of Liverpool 

 University. The mound was about 30 feet liigh; it was built of 

 limestone blocks, limestone dust, and rubble. It stands at one 

 corner of a quadrangular space measuring 80 by 35 yards, and ele- 

 vated from 4 to 5 feot above the surrounding ground level. This 

 space is encompassed by four mounds, joined by a bank or rampart 

 averaging 10 feet high. Around the base of the mound a great nmnbor 

 of fragments of pottery incense burners were found, with the images of 

 the gods, which decorated them externally. Eight complete heads 

 and two broken ones were recovered, together with arms, legs, bodies 

 with quilted cotton breastplates and maxtlis, elaborate headdresses, and 

 various objects held in the hands of the figures. These vessels are 

 almost exactly similar to those found along the valley of the Usu- 

 masintla and Rio de la Pasion, described by Seler in his "Antiquities 

 of Guatemala." Rude specimens, with the face of the god only 

 decorating the outside of the vessel, were found by Sapper and 

 Charnay in use among the Lacandon Indians a few years ago. The 

 dress and ornaments of these clay figurmes, which vary from 1 to 2 

 feet in height, are those fomid almost universally tliroughout the 

 Maya area. The large circular ear ornaments, with a tassel or 

 twisted pendant hanging from the center, the curious projecting 

 curved ornament above the nose, the small button-like labrets at 

 each corner of the mouth, are present in all, and are highly charac- 

 teristic. On all the feet elaborate sandals are worn, fastened by 

 thongs attached between the first and second and third and fourth 

 toes, with a band passing around the ankle ending in a broad depend- 

 ent flap, Aromid the legs are plain bands and strings of beads; 

 around the \vrists, strings of beads, in some cases fastened by an 

 ornamental loop. The breastplates are of quilted cotton, some very 

 elaborate, and decorated with beads, studs, and tassels, while below 

 the breastplate covering the genitals is the maxtli, or small apron, 

 com n1 only worn by both Maya and Aztec. The objects held in 

 the hands consist of birds, fans, globes, incense burners, and other 

 less easily distinguishable articles. The whole of the space witliin 

 the earthwork appears to have been sprinkled with these fragments 

 of pottery vases and idols, but it was only aromid the base of the large 

 mound that entire lu^ads were found. Tlie fragments seem to have 

 boon originally placed on the earth, and in course of time to have 

 been covered by a thm layer of humus from decaying vegetation, 



