File: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 (14596980807).jpg

Identifier: travelsamongstam00brin (find matches)
Title: 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
Year: 1894 (1890s)
Authors: Brine, Lindesay, 1834-1906
Subjects: Indians -- Antiquities Guatemala -- Antiquities Mexico -- Antiquities North America -- Description and travel
Publisher: London : S. Low, Marston & Company
Contributing Library: Brown University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brown University

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the centreof the lintel, there were no signs of the slightestdeflection. The strength of the wood seemed to beunimpaired. The preservation of many of the lintels over the doorways of the rooms in the Casade las Monjas was, in several instances, equallysound. Many of the stone carvings on the exteriorw^ere also apparently uninjured by their exposure tothe weather. But, before proceeding with thissubject, it is expedient to take into considerationsome of the characteristics of this building. It is not known why it was called the Casa de lasMonjas (House of the Nuns). Possibly the Spaniardsmay have been surprised by its similarity in planwith their own nunneries, but it is also not improbable 348 CASA DE LAS MONJAS. that there may have been some tradition receivedfrom the Indians which caused the adoption ofthis name. It has been stated by Clavigero,and other historians, that there were certainespecial customs attending the worship of the godQuetzalcoatl. Women served for terms of years
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Entrance to the Casa de las Monjas. within his temples. They were dedicated to theperformance of religious service from an early age,lodged in a convent and instructed in religion. Theywere also educated and employed in a manner suit-able to their station and sex. It was said thatcertain vows were made and various religious dutieswere performed. UXMAL AND PALENQUE. 349 The main entrance to the nunnery is through agateway placed in the centre of the southern part ofthe quadrangle. Upon each side of this entrancethere are four chambers, and it is to be noticed, asan evidence of the conventual character of the build-ing, that these are the only rooms that have directaccess to the outer world. All the others are withinand look into the court. They had a blank wall atthe back, which excluded all communication withthe exterior. The principal front looks towards thepyramids adjoining the Casa del Gobernador. Thearchitectural proportions of the archway are symme-trical. The height and span, l

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