Ruined Cities of Central America

Abstract

IN the summary of the proceedings of the late meeting of the British Association, in the issue of NATURE for August 31, is an abstract of a paper by Captain L. Brine, R.N., On the Ruined Cities of Central America. The gallant captain is wrong in stating that the existence of these ruined cities was unknown until within a comparatively recent period. All the early chronicles abound in allusions to them—Remesal. Vasquez, Cogolludo, Villagutierre, Juarrez, and others. Uxmal and Chichen Itza, which Captain Brine speaks of as “discoveries,” were undoubtedly occupied places at the time Grijalva touched the shores of Yucatan. Copan, although then a ruin, was visited and minutely described by Dr. Palacios as long ago as 1576. Captain Brine would lead us to infer that these remains have been “discovered” since the expedition of Del Rio to Palenque in 1787.