TOZZER] EXCAVATION AT SAXTIAGO AHUITZOTLA, MEXICO 27 



edly at one time the foimtlation for beams, although it is difficult to 

 understand Avhat beams could have been used for at tliis place. 



Constniction. — It is interesting: to note the stratification of the low 

 mound on which the Main Structure is erected. A consistent layer 

 of ash, about 0.5 m. thick, the top of which is about on the level of 

 the Terrace, runs throuo^h the whole mound. This can be seen in 

 plate 2, sections /-_/', h~l. Over this is a stratum of earth and directly 

 beneath the floors, in almost every case, a single line of adobe bricks. 



Walls. — Only two pieces of the outer wall of the building are still 

 in place. These are of stone and may shoAv that the main wall was 

 entirely of this material. A line of worked stones was set at an angle 

 at the base of the wall. These appear in two places (pi. 1, 7, 7'; 

 sees. «-&, G-d). 



Patio. — The central part of the building is difficult to make out, 

 owing, first, to the later additions of Floor A, and, secondly, to the 

 excavation made here by a previous investigator. The northern wall 

 of Kooms III and IV is finely plastered and is below the level of 

 Floor A. At the base of this wall are remains of two narrow steps 

 or floors (pi. 1, 5)^ one slightly above the other. The same two 

 narrow steps or floors and the plastered wall behind are noted to 

 the south of Rooms V and VI. It seems probable that at a time 

 before Floor A was built with its stone supporting walls a floor or 

 floors ran across the space called the Patio connecting these steps or 

 floors (pi. 1, 6, 5'). This floor would have been at the same general 

 level as that of the other rooms of the structure and formed a kind of 

 court or patio open, in all probability, on the eastern side. Plate 5, 6, 

 gives an idea of this shelf-like floor on the north and shows how 

 it has been broken off by the erection of Floor A. Another feature 

 which strengthens the supposition that there was once a floor at 

 the general level of Rooms I, III, IV, V, and VI over the central 

 portion of the structure is the stratification below Floor A. The 

 stratum of ash running under all the rooms (pi. 2, sec. i-j) is con- 

 tinuous over the central space and is now visible under Floor A. 



From the Patio the main entrance to the building would have been 

 on the eastern side of Room I. Another piece of evidence in favor 

 of the idea of a floor over the Patio at the level of Room I is furnished 

 by a small piece of plaster flooring attached to a line of worked 

 stones (pi. 1, 3) forming a part of the eastern side of Room I and set 

 almost flush with the floor. This bit of floor indicates that the floor 

 of the Patio was slightly higher than the floor of Room I (pi. 4, a). 

 The line of stones runs under the stone wall which projects into 



» It is intert'sting to note tliat in the underground rooms excavated at Teotihuacan a 

 similar feature to these step-lilie floors is found on the walls of a room 5 m. above the 

 present floor. 



