Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 183, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1918 — TREASURES LOST TO HISTORY [ARTICLE]

TREASURES LOST TO HISTORY

Fanaticism of Spaniards on Isla ds Mujeres Is Regretted by Archeologists. Fortified by grim rocks from th« wind-driven waves of the Yucatan channel Iles the Isla de Mujeres—lsle of Women. The Spaniards on a voyage In search of gold in the sixteenth century were tossed up on this island where they found no gold, but had an interesting time. When they started on an exploring tour of the Island they came upon a stone temple. Lured by the fumes of Incense, they entered and saw many idols representing goddesses, clothed In cotton garments. Officiating at' the ceremonies were women dressed In bright cottons and decked out with feathers and ornaments of precious metals. The Spaniards, excited by this scene of idol worship, rushed in. smashed the idols, triumphantly placed an Image of the. virgin on the altar and held mass before the eyes of the astonished priestesses and native worshipers. Archeologists have never ceased to regret the fervor of the Spaniards, who th us unheeding] y destroyed unique treasures of Mayan civilization.

The Spaniards named the place Isla ‘de -Mujeres for future reference and sailed away. The frightened Mayans deserted their shrine. For years the Isla de Mujeres lay still and forsaken. Gradually it awakened. A fishing village grew up near the ancient altars and the Yucatans hunt the hawkbilled turtle where once Indian maidens swung the censers and chanted their prayers.