SELBR] DESCRIPTION OF MITLA 257 



In the second palace, the hirgest and best preserved, there is now 

 absohitely nothing to be seen of these paintings. Nevertheless, be- 

 yond a doubt there were some here also, for the stucco coating, on 

 which the paintings Avere executed in the other palaces, can be recog- 

 nized here also in the narrow recessed panels over the doors. In the 

 court adjoining the fourth palace, which is situated nearest to the 

 river, the two side walls and the lower part of the third are still pre- 

 served. On the east side there may still be recognized in the narrow 

 recessed panels the upper edge of the painting with the beautiful bor- 

 der, reproduced (fragment 1) on the first plate. The four fragments 

 of painting which are reproduced under numbers 2 to 5 on this plate 

 belong to the north side of this court. All the rest of the painting 

 which is preserved belongs to the court adjoining the palace, which 

 has the most elevated position, namely palace I. This palace has been 

 turned into a j^riest's dwelling since the country was won over to 

 Christianity, and in the midst of its buildings rises the church of San 

 Pablo de Mitla. The adjoining court is used, according to a long- 

 established custom, as a stable. The animals wander freely about the 

 court, and against one of the sides a manger of masonry has been 

 built under a protecting board roof. Both structures are very desir- 

 able for the welfare of the animals, but they have been fatal to the 

 paintings, for the posts which support the penthouse have been 

 driven into the wall. A part of the painting has also been entirely 

 walled in for the construction of the manger. Finally, as I have 

 already mentioned, a pigsty has very recently been built against the 

 north side of the court. That could likewise not be done without 

 serious injury to the painting. On the other hand, we must be just 

 and recognize that perhaps the very reason why the paintings have 

 been still so largely preserved in this portion of these historic remains 

 is because this court, as a part of the parsonage, has been withdrawn 

 from general observation and use; that is, from general exploitation 

 and demolition. 



Before I turn to the description and explanation of these pictures, 

 it seems to me to be appropriate to ])ut together from existing sources 

 what is known concerning the nature and character of the religious 

 conceptions of the Zapotecs. 

 7238— No. 28—05 17 



