once inhabited those old cities." Over ruined doorways, arches, sides and backs of hideous idols, marble slabs and through the ruins of heathen temples these characters are to be seen. Mr. Short says: "The magnificent sculptured hieroglyphics which cover the sides and backs of these huge idols no doubt could tell the sealed story of Copan's greatness and the attributes of its many gods, were the keys once discovered. Everything is covered with these significant symbols, differing slightly from those at Palenque; but who will read them? In the court of the temple a solid block of stone six feet square and four feet high, resting on four globular stones, was sketched by Catherwood and pronounced an altar by Stephens. Sixteen figures in profile, with turbaned heads, breastplates and each seated crosslegged on hieroglyphic-like cushions, are sculptured in low relief, four figures being on each side of the block. The top of the altar is covered with thirty-six squares of hieroglyphics." American Ant. pp. 404, 405.
