nce
Mr. Bandelier has shown that while Cholula was certainly a populous
Indian pueblo, it is a misnomer to call it a city. It was a group of six
distinct clusters, gathered around a common market. He estimates that
its population may possibly have been thirty thousand.<32> All explorers
have mentioned the fertility of the plain in the midst of which this
monument is found.

But this plain is almost destitute of easily defended positions; which
fact has an important bearing on the purpose for which the great mound
was erected. At a distance it presents all the appearance of a natural
hill. The casual observer would not believe it was entirely the work of
men. "In close proximity," says Mr. Bandelier, "the mound presents the
appearance of an oblong conical hill, resting on projecting platforms of
unequal length. Overgrown as it is with verdure and partly by trees, and
with a fine paved road leading to the summit, it looks strikingly like
a natural hill, along whose slopes the washing of the rains and slides
have laid bare bold bluffs, and into whose bulk clefts and rents have
occasionally penetrated."

Illustration of Pyramid of Cholula.------------

This celebrated mound or pyramid has lately been the subject of a very
careful study by Mr. Bandelier. The illustration we present gives us
a very good idea of the present appearance of the mound. The mass is
probably solid throughout, and if there is a natural hill in its center,
it must be a very small one. The height of the central higher mass is
very nearly two hundred feet.<33> The present appearance of the summit
is entirely due to the Spaniards. At the time of the conquest the summit
was convex; the friars had it leveled in order to plant a cross. The
area of this upper platform is not far from two-thirds of an acre. It is
now paved and surrounded by a wall.

In the illustration we detect the appearance of terraces. These are
level areas, not all of the same height; neither do they extend entirely
around the mound. In fact, the present appearance indicates three
projections, or aprons, surrounding and supporting a conical hill, and
separated from each other by wide depressions. This central mound, with
its three projections, rests upon a very extensive platform, which was
probably cross-shaped. This platform seems to have been about twelve
feet high, and covered an area of at least sixty acres.

The object for which this great pile was erected is a topic that