FEWKES] OBJECTS FPOM CEMPOALAK AND XICO 253 



between this stone ring and the closed j'oke. Its surface is not deco- 

 rated and a cross section shows angles identical with those of the stone 

 ring of the Dehesa collection above described. From a stone ring 

 of this kind the passage to a closed yoke is easy, and from the last 

 mentioned one readily passes to the yoke proper. It would seem that 

 these three types are morphologically the same — a fact which would 

 impl_v identity in use. 



CLOSED STONE YOKES 



A closed yoke is simply a yoke with the ends of the arms united. 

 While some of the closed yokes from eastern Mexico have a smooth 

 or undecorated surface, a larger number of this type are ornauiented 

 with elaborate incised geometrical designs, sometimes with elaborate 

 figures. The morphological resemblance between the closed and the 

 open yokes is so great that we may regard them as practically identical 

 in function. 



OPEN STONE YOKES" 



The geographical distribution of Mexican stone j^okes leads to the 

 belief that the}' belonged to the ancient Totonac. Although a few 

 of these remarkable objects have been found in adjoining states 

 (Puebla, Chiapas, and Tlascala). the majoritj- originally came from the 

 state of Vera Cruz. Stones of this t3'pe thus appear to have been 

 made by an aboriginal people of this region, and not bj- the Nahua, 

 who reduced the former to vassalage when they extended their domain 

 from the valley of Mexico to the Gulf. These objects are generalh' 

 referred to the Totonac culture and it is thought they were adopted 

 from the Totonac by neighboring tribes. Although these yokes have 

 a common form, they differ one from the other in size and super- 

 ficial sculpturing, the latter feature affording the best basis for a 

 tentative classification. In order to comprehend the differences in the 

 sj'mbolic reliefs on these stone yokes, it is convenient to place them in 

 the same position for o))servation. The vertical or arched position in 

 which they are generally represented reveals comparatively little 

 of their superficial decoration. Whatever appears is confined mostly 

 to the outer curve of the arch. In this wa}- one fails to see the sides 

 and any decorations, when present (figure 50) on the ends of the arms. 



The ornamented regions are more clearly seen by placing the 

 yoke in a horizontal position — that which Strebel urges it had when 

 in use. In such a position the curve of the arch lies at the left of the 

 observer, and the undecorated edge, which is rougher and narrower 

 than the other, serves as a base upon which the j'oke naturally rests. 

 Strebel and later Holmes have pointed out that this rather than the 

 upright is a natural arrangement and that, when a yoke is so placed, 



"Professor Holmes {Field Columbiait j^Iuseinii Pithltcatums, i, no. 1, 310-315), describes at length the 

 symbolism of one of these closed yokes, from a specimen in the Field Columbian JInseum. 



