RATTLESNAKE THRONE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1924, Page 4

RATTLESNAKE THRONE

BOUND IN MAYA RUINS

EARLIER. AMERICAN CIVILISATION. (jlv Science Service.) WASHINGTON. August 2

Carnegie Institution excavators at work on the ruins of Chicken Itza liavo penetrated to the throne of the king, perhaps the most magnificent spot within the columns of the buried chief city of the prehistoric Maya. Empire, according to latest advices received here from the archaeological expedition in Yucatan.

'flic throne is a magnificent affair, Blit; wide. 7ft. deep, and 3ft. high. On the sloping sides are carved elaborately costumed w.urior.s, weaving in and out among which arc rattlesnakes sacred to Kukulean, principal god of the Itza. This panel is topped with a cornice composed of intertwining rattlesnakes. The throne was painted in deep red. warm yellow, brilliant blue, and

green. The throm* and rouncii elialnher were found in north-east colonnade ot the buried eitv. The excavators were guided in their work by sculptured columns, the rest of the so which compose this colonnade being plain. The walls and plain columns were painted with frec-oe.s ill bright colours, now almost entirely destroyed. 'J he Hours were of hard lime plaster, painted a rich red. Around the back and side walls runs a deep, broad bench, with •sloping back, where, perhaps, the Itzan dignitaries, priests, alid councillors sat in solemn deliberation, with the king seated on his ‘‘rattlesnake" tinoiio. Another very important discovery has been the outer wall of the colonnade, with its sculptural decorations uninjured, in position at the southwest corner. This shows the original height of the building to have been nineteen and a quarter feet. Around the top of the building there bad been a sculptured rattlesnake cornice—the bead of one reptile and the tail of another still projecting at tin’s point. Below this there were two great, grotesque human heads, iiitli square eye sockets, curling noses, filed teeth set ill grinning mouths, and square earrings. These are representations of none less than Kukulean himself. Below is another cornice of intertwining rattlesnakes.

I.ffo in Chicken Itza. however, was not entirely one of grotesque reverence to Kukulean and his rattlesnakes. The Carnegie Institution excavators announce the uncovering of a ball court, just north of tlie throne location, in which a game similar to the American basket-ball was played. This game, which wa> introduced by the ToltecAztec conquerors of the ctiv, bad for its object the driving of a solid rubber ball through a ring fastened in the side of the wall. The court just- uncovered is the third to tie discovered in the “New” Maya. Empire. The game was known as “tlaclitli.” The bole through tin*, ring being perpendicular to the wall, it was necessary to aland very ib.se to the wall and throw the ball practically parallel to the axis of the wall. The ball would not lie thrown directly with the band, but bad to be struck with the elbow, wrist 01 hip. The players wore leather pods on these parts to make the rubber ball bound from them more casil v.

The winning shot was so difficult and .so seldom made that aeecnling to another rule of the game the lucky player had forfeited to him all the clothing of the spectators. At the court of .Montezuma, where the game "as lit'.-l witnessed by the Spaniards, high stakes were wagered on the game by the Aztec nobles quills filled with gold dust, estates, even liberty, the bettors becoming slaves if they lost. It is notable Hint, from the balls used in this game the Spaniards gained their first, conception of rubber. The excavating 'work has been brought to an end for the year, due to the rainy reax in, which prevents any operations for the greater part of the 1 into.