DEFENCES OF THE ANCIENT MEXICANS AND PERUVIANS. 95 



was narrow and winding, the wall in that part dividing and making two walls, which 

 circularly crossed each other for the space often paces."* Clavigero states that it 

 was six miles in length, eight feet in height, besides the parapet, and eighteen feet 

 in thickness, composed of stone cemented with mortar. Works also existed in 

 Mexico which approached more nearly to the character of the modern forts. 

 They were, for the most part, strong, natm-al positions, such as isolated eminences, 

 or the summits of steep and rugged mountains. 



One of these, enclosing the ruins of many imposing temples and edifices, is situ- 

 ated to the north of the city of Mexico, in the department of Zacatecas, which is 

 supposed to have been formerly occupied by the Chichimecs and Otomies. It is 

 now known as the " Ruins of Quemada." The ruins are situated upon the summit 

 of a high hill or cerro, and are inclosed upon the north, where the ground is sloping, 

 by broad, double walls of massive stones cemented with mortar. Upon the south 

 are rugged precipices, affording natural defences. The walls have bastions at 

 intervals, and are entered by four broad roads, or causeways, which extend in differ- 

 ent directions over the adjacent plain. 



The hill of Xochicalco is three hundred feet in height, and a league in circum- 

 ference, surrounded at the base by a deep and wide ditch. Whether designed as 

 a temple or fortress, is not apparent. It may have subserved both purposes ; for 

 there is ample evidence, in the records of the conquerors, that the sacred grounds 

 of the Aztecs were their places of last resort, in the defence of Avhich their valor 

 was inflamed by religious zeal. The summit of the hill of Xochicalco is attained 

 by five spiral terraces, faced with cemented stones and supported by bulwarks, 

 and is crowned by the ruins of edifices, which rank among the most imposing 

 remains of the continent. 



An ancient fortress, which no doubt well illustrates the character of the ancient 

 Mexican defences, is figured and described by Du Paix. A plan of it is presented 

 in the subjoined engraving. Fig. 30. " It occupies the summit of a steep, isolated 

 rock, about a league west of Mitlan. This rock is accessible only from the eastern 

 side. The wall is of solid stone, twenty-one feet thick and eighteen high, and is 

 about a league in extent. It forms, in its course, several salient and retiring angles, 

 with curtains interposed. On its assailable side, where is its principal entrance, 

 it is defended by double walls, which mutually flank each other. The first, or most 

 advanced, forms an enceinte, or elliptical rampart, upon which, at short intervals, 

 there are heaps of small round stones for slinging, and in the centre of the crescent 

 there is an oblique gate, to avoid the enfilade or right line of arrows, darts, and 

 stones. The second wafl, which is joined at its extremities to that of the fortress, 

 is of greater elevation, and forms a sort of tenaille. It differs from the other in 

 having its sides or flanks more open. It has likewise its rampart and heaps of 

 stones. For greater security, batteries were disposed in the Aztec system of 



* This feature is well illustrated in man)' of the defensive structures of the Mississippi valley, in which 

 precisely similar expedients were adopted to secure the entrances. See Vol. I. of these Contributions, 

 Plates IV., VI., VIll., etc. 



