38 CHICHEN 1TZA. 



human figures carved on it, I was able to come to a definite conclusion regarding 

 the arrangement of column and capital which was fully confirmed by subsequent 

 observations on other buildings, and is shown in the plans and restoration of the 

 Ball Court Temple. 



Lying near the foot of the slope on the east side of the mound I had seen two of 

 the squat grotesque figures with their arms raised, as though intended to support a 

 weight, which are figured in one of Dr. Le Plongeon's publications ; and whilst 

 clambering over the steep slope on the same side I found the heads and hands of 

 similar figures sticking out from amongst the loose stones, and finally I was able to 

 make out that a double line of these figures had supported some broad stone slabs. 

 All their faces had been turned inward towards the temple, but the purpose of the 

 slabs and their caryatid-like supports was altogether a mystery to me ; however I had 

 not sufficient labourers at the time to commence an excavation, and I had unwillingly 

 to postpone any attempt to gain further information. 



It was not until the last week of my stay that I was able to commence work on this 

 mound, and as time was very short we began excavation where the grotesque little 

 figures had attracted my attention. We succeeded in laying bare the whole of the 

 east faces of the sculptured columns, of which only the top stones were previously 

 visible, and they proved to be 9 feet high (see Plates LXI. and LXIL, a). It was 

 found that the foundations of the side walls of the building had extended beyond the 

 two lines of figures and the slabs which they supported, but that no trace of the back 

 wall remained ; it had disappeared completely, and must now form part of the broken 

 stone and rubbish covering the slope of the mound. The whole of the interior of 

 the chambers up to the height of the tops of the columns, that is to say for 9 feet, 

 is filled up with the fallen roof and superstructure, and out of this mass trees of 

 considerable size are now growing. 



I had no time to clear out the chambers beyond the edge of the columns, but no 

 doubt remained as to the plan of the temple ; careful measurements were taken, and 

 the result is shown on the plan. The partition-wall dividing the two chambers could 

 just be traced where it joined the side walls, but the breadth of the doorway through 

 it could not be ascertained. 



The slabs supported by the grotesque little caryatids must have formed an altar 

 running all along the back of the inner chamber, and parts of it are well shown in the 

 photographs. 



The height of the foundation of the temple is about 25 feet. 



No. 18. — The next mound to the south, No. 18, must have supported one of the 

 principal buildings in the city. Unluckily it is in the same ruined condition as the 

 last building described. 



On a raised terrace in front can be traced the remains of 64 square columns in four 



