THE MIDDLE CIVILIZATIONS L53 



Other peculiarly shaped stones are found in the 

 Totonacan area and are carVed according to the same 

 splendid technique. The " paddle-shaped " stones have 



been found in considerable numbers and tluar use, like 

 that of the stone yokes is absolutely unknown. It is 

 evident from the carving that they were intended to be 

 stood on end. 



The designs on the sacrificial yokes and paddle stones 

 are largely reptilian, but there are examples where the 

 turkey, the coyote, as well as the human motive are 

 treated somewhat after the manner of the Mayas. In 

 fact there can be little doubt that the best period of 

 Totonacan art corresponded pretty closely to the best 

 period of Mayan art. The most important site is 

 Papantla where a remarkably ornate pyramid rising in 

 six terraces may be seen, as well as massive sculptures in 

 the same style as the works of art described above. The 

 front wall of each terrace on all four sides of the pyra- 

 mid, except for the space occupied by the stairway is 

 divided into a series of niches neatly made of cut stone. 

 Formerly each of these niches may have served to 

 shelter the statue of some god. Many fine remains of 

 Totonacan art have been recovered from the Island of 

 Sacrifices in the harbor of Vera Cruz. This island 

 retained its ancient sacrificial character in the time of 

 the Spanish conquerors. It is apparent, however, that 

 the culture had already changed greatly if we may 

 judge by the ruins of Cempoalan, the Totonacan capital 

 in the sixteenth century. The art of this city is largely 

 Aztecan. 



The Toltecs. The first peoples to appear in Mexi- 

 can history are the Olmecs and Toltecs. Tales of 

 ancient splendor cluster about them, but there is a woe- 

 ful lack of definite information concerning their origin 



