“ ancient capital of the Spanish kingdom of Guatemala during 
the period of its greatest prosperity and power. The splen- 
dor of its religious establishments is amply testified by 
the ruins of upwards of forty great churches now scattered 
through the modern Indian town which occupies the anes ent 
| site. fhe city was visited by a series of earthquakes during 
which the splendid structures were shattered or thrown down 
bua it was found impossible to restore them and keep them in 
repair, and in desperation the capital of the Kingdom was re- 
moved to a neighboring valley, to the site of the present 
Guatemala City. | 
"Phe history of the Spanish capital city ana its ereat 
buildings proves most instructive to the student who would dis- 
cover the causes that led to the downfall and destruction of the 
numerous cities built by the Mayan people in prehistoric times, 
the gatos of which are now found scattered over Central America. 
"he present Guatemalan capital is built on the site of 
one of these ancient cities represented today by numerous 
pyramids, terraces, and cuadrangular enclosures aS well as by 
works of sculpture which are scattered over a large area just 
outside of the limits of the capital city. 
tan extended vieit was made to the ruined city of Quirigua 
in eastern Guatemala. This city ms been the subject of much 
scientific interest during recent years and its remarkable 
sculptural nit architectural remains have been studied and 
described Pee eee explorers, among whom are Stevens, Maud- 
slay, and Hewett. Much of interest, however, still remains 
