Mound No. 16
Fig. 53.—Conventionalized representation of bird on vessel shown in plate [17].
Mound No. 16 was situated about 2 miles due north of the last-described mound, close to the north bank of the Rio Hondo, within the territory of Quintana Roo. It was discovered by an Indian, who had cut a piece of virgin bush with the object of making a milpa. The mound was 35 feet in height by 250 feet in circumference at the base; in shape it resembled a truncated cone, the flattened summit of which measured 30 feet in one direction by 6 feet in the other. The mound was composed throughout of rough blocks of limestone, the interstices of which were filled in with limestone dust and an unusually large quantity of light-brown earth. Excavation was commenced at the top of the mound; for the first 6 feet nothing except a few potsherds was found. Scattered through the next 2 feet of the mound the following objects were brought to light; these were mingled indiscriminately with the limestone blocks of which the mound was built, quite unprotected by cist or chamber: (a) A basin-shaped vessel 20 cm. in diameter, 10 cm. in height (pl. [17]), covered by a round conical lid with a semicircular handle. Both basin and cover are painted black and polished, inside and out. Upon the outer surface of the vase and the upper surface of the lid are incised in low relief a series of pictographs, identical upon both. From the nature of the design and the fact that the vase contained a number of fragments of human bones, it seems probable that it was intended for a cinerary urn. The design is of considerable interest and worthy of detailed consideration. The most prominent object upon both the lid and the vase itself is a naked human figure in a recumbent position, with the arms flexed over the chest and abdomen and the knees and thighs semiflexed. The ornaments worn consist of an elaborate feather-decorated headdress, a labret, or nose ornament (it is somewhat difficult to determine which), and large bead anklets and wristlets. Below the head, on the body of the vase, is the conventionalized representation of a bird (fig. [53]) with extended drooping wings, and a rectangular object occupying the position of the beak. On the lid, probably from lack of room, this bird is represented only by the rectangular object, beneath which is seen the conventionalized serpent's head, represented only by the upper jaw, from which project the head and hand of a human being, whom it is in the act of swallowing. This monster, with a human head projecting from its mouth, is frequently represented in mounds in this area, usually in the form of a clay figurine.
Fig. 54.—Decoration on vessel shown in plate [17].
The next figure is probably intended to represent Quetzalcoatl, the Cuculcan of the Maya, and God B of the Codices. It is the shrunken bearded face of an old man, with a single tooth in the lower jaw, very prominent nose, and a bird's head (probably that of the owl) in the headdress. These are all well-recognized characteristics of this god. At the back part of the headdress of the god, and connected with it, is a human face. Immediately above the head of Cuculcan is depicted a fish, with a flower-like object in front of its mouth (fig. [54]), which is probably connected with this god, who is frequently associated with objects connoting water, vegetation, and fertility, as fish, flowers, water plants, leaves, and shells.
The next figure probably represents Schellhas's God K of the Codices. This god possesses an elaborate foliated nose, and is usually closely associated with God B, as he is in the present instance; indeed Brinton and Fewkes regard him as being merely a special manifestation of the latter god, while Spinden is of the opinion that his face is derived from that of the serpent so constantly associated with God B.[42] The lower jaw of the god seems to consist of a dry bone.
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 64 PLATE 18.
POTTERY FROM MOUND NO. 16
Fig. 55.—Perforated beads found in Mound No. 16.
Fig. 56.—Jadeite beads found in Mound No. 16.
Immediately behind God K is repeated the design of the serpent swallowing a human head, above which is a striated bar, whose sole purpose seemingly is to decorate a vacant space. Above this again is a bar with feathers or leaves projecting from it, which may possibly be connected with the headdress of God B, and at the top is repeated the figure of the fish, with the circular object in front of its mouth. Next to these is again seen the head of the god Cuculcan, after which the whole series recommences with the prone naked human figure. (b) A vessel exactly similar in size, color, and shape to the one last described (pl. [18], a). The outer surface is decorated by four curious monkey-like creatures, sculptured in low relief, separated from each other by ovate spaces inclosed in double parallel lines and filled with cross-hatching. Above and below is a border of frets, also executed in low relief. The faces of these monkeys are represented by a simple oval, no attempt having been made to depict any of the features. The hands are furnished with huge claw-like fingers, and the tails, which are of great length, are curled over the back. The cover of this vessel (pl. [18], a) is circular, somewhat funnel-shaped, 23 cm. in diameter. Upon its outer surface is executed, in low relief, a monkey almost exactly similar to those which appear on the outer surface of the vase, except that it is somewhat larger and is seen in front view, not in profile. The face of the monkey is carefully molded in high relief to form the handle of the lid, while between his hands he grasps an ovate object identical with those on the vase. (c) The lid of a vessel corresponding exactly to the lid of the vessel first described. The pot to which it belonged could not be found (pl. [18], b). (d) A pair of cylindrical vases, each standing upon three short, hollow, oval legs.
Fig. 57.—a. Circular shell disks from Mound No. 16.
b. Greenstone ear plugs from Mound No. 17.
Both are made of extremely thin, brittle pottery painted a dirty yellow and polished throughout, with no ornament except a broad red stripe, which passes obliquely around the whole of the outer surface of each vase. (e) Two shallow circular plaques, painted reddish-brown, and polished throughout, with a geometrical device in thin black lines around the inner surface of the rim of each. (f) A quantity of bones, probably those of a halib or gibnut, and of a wild turkey. These were found under a large block of rough limestone. (g) A number of univalve shells, each about 1 inch in length, perforated at the apex in two places, as if for suspension in the form of a necklace or ornamental border.[43] With these shells was found half of a large cockle-like bivalve, painted red throughout, and perforated, possibly for use as a gorget. (h) Thirteen large, round, perforated beads (fig. [55]). Some of these are reddish in color, and show traces of polishing. With these were the three jadeite beads pictured in figure [56]; two of these are cylindrical, with a knob at one end, while the third is nearly spherical; all are finely polished; they are made of light and dark-green mottled jadeite. (i) A single small oyster shell, with a great number of cockle shells. (j) Two circular disks of shell, represented in figure [57], a, exhibiting the front and back view. The central part is of a deep reddish color, and is well polished. Each disk is 5 cm. in diameter and is perforated at the center. They were probably used as ear ornaments. Excavations were made in this mound to the ground level, but no additional objects were found in it.