A BURIED IMAGE. 



151 



A little behind this is the monument marked T. It 

 IS one of the most beautiful in Copan, and in work- 

 manship is equal to the finest Egyptian sculpture. 

 Indeed, it would be impossible, with the best instru- 

 ments of modern times, to cut stones more perfectly. 

 It stands at the foot of a wall of steps, with only the 

 head and part of the breast rising above the earth. 

 The rest is buried, and probably as perfect as the por- 

 tion which is now visible. When we first discovered 

 it, it was buried up to the eyes. Arrested by the beau- 

 ty of the sculpture, and by its solemn and mournful 

 position, we commenced excavating. As the ground 

 was level up to that mark, the excavation was made 

 by loosening the earth with the machete, and scoop- 

 ing it out with the hands. As we proceeded, the earth 

 formed a wall around and increased the labour. The 

 Indians struck so carelessly with their machetes, that, 

 afraid to let them work near the stone, we cleared it 

 with our own hands. It was impossible, however, 

 to continue ; the earth was matted together by roots 

 which entwined and bound the monument. It requi- 

 red a complete throwing out of the earth for ten or 

 twelve feet around ; and without any proper instru- 

 ments, and afraid of injuring the sculpture, we prefer- 

 red to let it remain, to be excavated by ourselves at 

 some future time or by some future traveller. Who- 

 ever he may be, I almost envy him the satisfaction of 

 doing it. The outline of the trees growing around it 

 is given in the engraving. 



