Travels Amongst American Indians, Their Ancient Earthworks and Temples Including a Journey in Guatemala, Mexico and Yucatan, and a Visit to the Ruins of Patinamit, Utatlan, Palenque and Uxmal

CHAPTER XIX.

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Mounds and Earthworks in North and Central America. — Migrations of the Toltecs and Aztecs. — The Quichés. — Aboriginal races. — Palenque. — Hieroglyphs. — Temples. — Desertion of the Temples and stone buildings in Yucatan. — Conquest of Yucatan by the Aztecs. — Antiquity of Palenque and Uxmal. — Aztec custom of imprisoning captives in cages and sacrificing them to the gods. — Civilisation of the Toltecs. — Note upon the symbol or Totem of the Serpent 378