Documents Relating to This Period Being More Rare and Obscure Than Those of the Toltecs." T
PALPAN AND THE TOLTECS. 127 his enlightened policy that his country became an intelligent centre, which proved so beneficial to the barbarous Chichemecs. Nopaltzin, following the example of Xolotl, compelled those of his subjects who still lived in caverns to build houses, live- in communities, cultivate the land, and feed on prepared viands. He invited jewellers and lapidaries from Colhuacan to teach his people, instituting prizes for those who became proficient in mechanical arts, and also for those who made astrology, his- torical paintings, and the deciphering of ancient manuscripts their particular study.• And, lastly, in the closing words of Veytia's account, he says: 14 Among the documents I possess for the completion of my work are several bearing on the Mexicans. 1 found no difficulty in reading the paintings and maps; but although they are systematically classified as regards events posterior to their arrival in the valley, it is very different with their antiquities, their origin, and their wanderings; their documents relating to this period being more rare and obscure than those of the Toltecs." t Having proved, and we think we have proved, the diffusion of Toltec arts and industries among the primitive |>opulations of America, we will proceed to Teotihuacan. * Mariano Vcytia, tome 11. chap. x. t Ibid,\ chap. xii. MURAL TAINTING OK TOLTEC HOUSE. (St* p. IO5, TolUt 1/outt.) CHAPTER VII. TEOTIHUACAN. Quotations— Pre-Toltec Civilisation—Egyptian and Teotihuacan Pyramids Com- pared— General Aspect of the Pyramids—Cement Coatings—Tlattles and Pyramids — Idols and Masks — Description by Torquemada — S. Martins Village—Pulque and Mezcal—S.
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