Identifier: ancientcitiesofn00char (find matches)
Title: The ancient cities of the New World : being travels and explorations in Mexico and Central America from 1857-1882
Year: 1887 (1880s)
Authors: Charnay, Désiré, 1828-1915
Subjects: Indians of Mexico Indians of Central America
Publisher: London : Chapman and Hall
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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people, and thisestimate need not lessen their interest, while the mysterioussilence which surrounds them forms a void in the history ofthe human race. The great mound to the north is called Kinick-Kakmo, TheSuns face with fiery rays, from an idol which stood in thetemple crowning its summit. The monument consists of twoparts : the basement, nearly 650 feet, surmounted by an immenseplatform, and the small pyramid to the north. Great venerationwas felt for the idol or deity of Kinich-Kakmo, and in times ofpublic calamity, the entire population fiocked to this shrine withpeace-offerings, when at mid-day a fire descended and consumedthe sacrifice, in the presence of the assembled multitude. Thenthe officiating priest notified the will of the deity whether forgood or for evil, and prophesied more or less the secret longingsof their hearts ; but as they could not always guess aright, it IZAMAL EN ROUTE FOR ClIICIIEN. 307 not unfrequently happened that their expectations were notfulfilled.*
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GREAT PYRAMID, KINICH-KAKMo, AT IZAMAL. Facing this to the south was another great mound, known asPi)ai>p-Hol-Chac, the House of Heads and Lightning, the priests * Lizana, Hist, de Nuestra Senora de Izamal, published by the AbbeBrasseur. X 2 3o8 The Ancient Cities of the New World. house, presumably similar to those still standing in various townsof Yucatan. The upper portion of this pyramid was levelleddown, and on its lower platform was erected the Franciscanchurch and convent. The third pyramid to the east supported a temple dedicatedto Izamat-Ul, Izamna, or Zamna, the great founder of theancient Maya empire. To him were brought, says Lizana, the sick, the halt, and the dead, and he healed and restoredthem all to life by the touch of his hand ; hence the appellationKab-Ul, the Miraculous Hand, applied to him.* He is oftenrepresented by a hand only, which recalled him to the memoryof his worshippers. His other names are the Strong, theMighty Hand, the Long-handed Chief, who wrote

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