In the development of the present work, every branch of the Fine Arts will be brought forward to uphold and substantiate this Tyrian Æra--they having all obtained in the Western hemisphere previous to the time of Columbus,--which period (anterior to the Genoese, 1492, A. D.) is contemplated by the new historic term--_Ancient America_. CHAPTER V. THE DISCOVERIES OF THE RUINED CITIES IN MEXICAN AMERICA--THEIR GENERAL CHARACTER AND GEOGRAPHICAL LOCALITIES--THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE RUINS ANALYZED, &c. SECTION I. THE DISCOVERERS AND EXPLORERS OF THE RUINS--DATE AND LOCALITY--PAINTINGS--MAPS AND CHARTS, &c. In the preceding chapter, it is stated that the Fine Arts will be used as strong evidences towards the development of this epoch, and that they will be received as records. They represent what will be wanted in illustrating the Aborigines of the North--viz., _the lex scripta_--for Sculpture and Paintings must be regarded only as a more concise and impressive manner of writing. Since, therefore, Sculpture is one of the powers conjoined with Architecture to enable us to raise our historical edifice, it is necessary to prove the existence of our strength in the country illustrated--to prove that Ancient Cities have been discovered--that temples and palaces have been recovered from the depths of the forest, and that, too, in that part of America now under consideration, having reference to the Aborigines _not_ of the North. These investigations are required for the reader who may not have read "The Incidents of Travel in Central America," and even those that have, will expect an analysis or review of the discovered Ruins; it is also demanded by the character of this work, for it is essential to establish their existence before they can be produced as witnesses to support an historic argument; and like a legal document, parole evidence will not be received if the document itself can be produced. Paintings also are a portion of the evidence to sustain our novel history. The paintings of Mexican America, though rude, contain proofs of progressive ages, whereby facts may be gathered, supported by traditions, to authorize the formation of a chronological arrangement of events. These pictorial efforts of art are on cloth of unusual thickness, in order to secure stability--for the Mexicans had no other written records--but, to which may now be added from the late discoveries--Sculpture. The paintings, it has been stated, were rude, and not unlike those of ancient Egypt; and like those of the Nile, a symbol stood for whole sentences, or parts of history,--and does not the same method exist with European art? A cross represents the Crucifixion! It is in this manner that the paintings of ancient Mexico must be translated. The colouring was far beyond the Egyptian in regard to brilliancy and variety--an important point in proving a Tyrian analogy.