GUARD THE SECRET WELL.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 328, 24 January 1907, Page 6

GUARD THE SECRET WELL.

HIEROGLYPHICS IN a MEXICAN TEMPLE HAVE NEVER BEEN TRANSLATED. * The most perfect piece of prehistoric architecture in the new world is the wonderful "mosaic chamber," situated among the famous ruins of the ancient city of Mitla, HO miles south of the city of Mexico. Although months have been spent by prominent travellers, writers, and archaeologists in the attempt to read the history of this old city from the hieroglyphics yet visible on its walls, the only thing kiibtVn today of Mitla is that it was a marvel 'of architecture, of temples and palaces grouped, on a slight elevation beside a narrow stream. Even the name of Mitla is of unknown origin. But while every structure of which this group is composed is coVeted within and without with mosaics, it remains for the great hall known as the "Mosaic Chamber" to reveal the work at its best. The marvellous part is that there is liot a single piece of tile missing from the entire room. These mosaics were put together without the aid of .cement or mortar. Some portion of the ruins of Matla had been covered with sand for unknown centuries when the Mexican Government began excavating : but the larger portion of the buildings was above ground, exposed to the elements. About 275 years ago one of the Matla temples n'as thrown down, and a church built with the stones. This the natives call the ‘‘new church," although it is nearly HOG years old. Beneath one of the temples of Mitla an underground chamber has been found, and under this is believed to bo another subterranean room, which the Mexican Government intends to explore, and archaeologists all over the world will watch with intense interest the efforts made to penetrate the secret of ancient Mitla.