The Myths of Mexico & Peru (Illustrated) (Myths and Legends of the Ancient World Book 5) by Spence Lewis

Author:Spence,Lewis [Spence,Lewis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-09-22T05:00:00+00:00

The Temple of Inscriptions

The Temple of Inscriptions, perched on an eminence some 40 feet high, is the largest edifice in Palenque. It has a façade 74 feet long by 25 feet deep, composed of a great gallery which runs along the entire front of the fane. The building has been named from the inscriptions with which certain flagstones in the central apartment are covered. Three other temples occupy a piece of rising ground close by. These are the Temple of the Sun, closely akin in type to many Japanese temple buildings; the Temple of the Cross, in which a wonderful altar-piece was discovered; and the Temple of the Cross No. II. In the Temple of the Cross the inscribed altar gave its name to the building. In the central slab is a cross of the American pattern, its roots springing from the hideous head of the goddess Chicomecohuatl, the Earth-mother, or her Maya equivalent. Its branches stretch to where on the right and left stand two figures, evidently those of a priest and acolyte, performing some mysterious rite. On the apex of the tree is placed the sacred turkey, or “Emerald Fowl,” to which offerings of maize paste are made. The whole is surrounded by inscriptions. (See illustration facing p. 160.)

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