Indians of Central America -- Nicaragua -- Antiquities; Nicaragua -- Antiquities
Contrary to the other images of this mound, indeed, of this whole
locality, it did not represent a human figure, but formed a square
pillar, provided with carvings on its front side. It carried a narrower
superstructure (tenon), bordered in front by a sharp-cut frame, 6 cm.
broad, 3 cm. deep. The carvings on the front side of the pillar itself
consisted of wreaths somewhat more than 2 cm. deep with a breadth
varying from 3 to 5 cm. They appeared to represent the head of an
animal with an eye surrounded by two concentric circles. The sides of
the pillar were narrower, smooth, without any traces of wreaths, but
bordered by a square-cut frame, 6 cm. broad and 3 cm. deep. The back of
the pillar, which was turned towards the building, was rough, without
any frame. The front side was provided with a frame only above, and
along the eastern side. The front side of the pillar was 50 cm. broad,
the lateral sides 37 cm. broad. The tenon was 40 cm. in height by 38
cm. in breadth. The pillar was so deeply imbedded in the ground, that
in spite of our digging strenuously, I did not succeed to lay bare more
than about 125 cm. of its length, reckoned from the upper edge of the
tenon.
E 1
Not figured.
Male, standing, much damaged. The human figure supported on his head
the head of a massive animal of the feline genus, by its form most
reminding one of the _African_ or _Persian_ lion(!). The statue was
thrown down and broken in several pieces; only the head of the animal
was so far preserved as to enable one to discern something of the
original sculpture. Upon this head was part of a square tenon. The
length of the statue from the upper edge of the forehead to the thighs
was 84 cm., the breadth across the shoulders 39 cm., the length of the
face 24 cm. The head of the animal was 54 cm. high and 52 cm broad.
E 2
Not figured.
Fragments of a female, sitting statue were shattered in the vicinity
of the place, that should have been occupied by the tenth statue. The
head was adorned with a turban-shaped head-dress, without any trace of
a tenon. It is, however, very uncertain whether this statue has formed
part of the series.
Between the last-mentioned statue and F there was not the least vestige
to be found of that statue which ought to have been the eleventh in
number, when reckoned from A.
F
Pl. 6, 7, and 8.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account