240 



CERTAIN AXTIQUITIES OF EASTERN MEXICO [eth. ann 



Fig. -14. Battl 



tlio left of the middle line. On the lateral margins of the platform of 

 the upper terrace there are still found remnants of a row of terraced 

 l)attlements (tigure 44), that were absent from the rear margin. A 

 wall a few inches higher than the plastered surface of the terrace margin 

 .served as a base on which these blocks stood. This base was perforated " 



at intervals on the floor 



level b}' round orifices 

 to allow the escape of 

 rain or other water that 

 fell on the platform. 

 In front of the basal 

 platform, supporting 

 the pyramid and its an- 

 nexes, there are remains 

 of smaller structures, 

 among wliicli may be 

 mentioned a pile of stones constituting the remains of a circular 

 pedestal. 



In the forest opposite the stairway is a small pyramid not more tlian 

 4 feet high, with upper parts of a stairway and tt>rraced sides, their 

 bases now half hidden hy vegetation. 



miLDiNi; n 



No two of tlie pyramids of Cempoalan have exai'tly the same form 

 notwithstanding their general similarity. The pyramid (plate xcviii) 

 near that just described has a larger number of tei-races than any 

 other and no indication of a special stairway. It is proba])le that the 

 terraces on the south side, that toward the great court (Plaza flavor), 

 served for the purpose. Apparently the temple which stood on the 

 phitform of this pyramid was many-chambered, containing several 

 idols. Notliing now remains of this building but traces of the founda- 

 tions, the walls having long ago fallen. The floor of the platform of 

 the pvramid was smoothly plastered, and there wa-; formerly a mar- 

 ginal row of terraced battlements on two sides.'' 



The temple of this Ijuilding (plate xcix) is fairly well preserved and 

 its pj'ramidal l)ase is almost entire. From remains of structures around 

 the latter, it would appear that the whole building was formerl}- 

 inclosed by a wall whose ridges of stone and disintegrated mortar still 

 remain to mark its former position. Facing the well-preserved stair- 

 way, it will be noticed that this part of the structure is divided 



a These holes are figured in pictures of temples in Aztec codices, when they are sometimes supposed 

 to represent rafters. 



b When the author first visited this structure it was almost concealed by the dense growth of vege- 

 tation, which was partially removed before the photograph was taken. 



