texts drawn from the codices, or hieroglyphic manuscripts; and since these deal in great part with the

ording To

of four parts, each containing 65 days, and tonalamatls of ten parts, each containing 26 days, are not at all uncommon. These divisions

,[240] the tonalamatl may be considered a

umn of d

h are the coefficien

the distances between the d

d (2). The most important point for the student to grasp in studying the Maya tonalamatl is the fundamental difference between the use of the red numbers and the black numbers. The former are used only as day coefficients, and together with the day signs show the days which begin the divisions and subdivisions of t

lternating with the black. In some instances, however, the numbers appear in a vertical column or pair of columns, though in this case also the same alt

w every 260 days, regardless of the positions of these days in succeeding years. Nor is this omission the only abbreviation noticed in the presentation of the tonalamatl. Although every tonalamatl contained 260 days, only the days commencing its divisions and subdivisions appear in the record; and even these are represented in an abbreviated form. For example, instead of repeating the numerical coefficients with each of the day signs in (1), the coefficient was written once above the column of day signs, and in this po

determined is the name of the day with which

t red number, which will usually be found immediately above the co

are always omitted. From the second red number, which, as we have seen, is the coefficient of the beginning day of the second subdivision of the first division, the second black number is to be counted forward in order to reach the third red number,

onalamatl. From this day the count proceeds as before. The black numbers are added to the red numbers immediately preceding them in each case, until the last red number is reached, which, together with the third day sign in the column, forms the beginning day of the third division of the tonalamatl. After this operation ha

signs in the column-the number of main divisions in the tonalamatl-will equal exactly 260. If any to

rial may be reduce

matl, add the black numbers to the red numbers immediately preceding them in each case, and, after subtractin

gn of the beginning day of the preceding division or subdivision, and the day name reached in Table I will be the day sign desired. If it is at the beginning of one of the m

t rule above giv

umber of day signs in the column of day signs will equal exa

the upper part, b to the middle part, and c to the lower part. Thus "Dresden 12b" designates the middle part of page 12 of the Dresden Codex, and "Dresden 15c" the lower part of page 15 of the same manuscript. Some of th

refixing the first red number to the topmost day sign in the column. The first red number in Dresden 12b stands in the regular position (above the column of day signs), and is very clearly 1, that is, one red dot. A comparison of the topmost day sign in this column with the forms of the day signs in figure 17 will show that the day sign here recorded is Ix (see fig. 17, t), and the opening day of this tonalamatl will be, therefore, 1 Ix. The next step is to find the beginning days of the succeeding subdivisions of the

le to the presen

he first black number, 13. To find the corresponding day sign, we must turn to rule 3 (p. 253) and count forward in Table I this same black number, 13, from the preceding day sign, in this case Ix. The day sign reached will be Manik. But since this day begin

AN ETHNOLOGYBULL

ODEX, SHOWING TONALAMATL

lamatls the Maya had to have a sign which by itself would signify the number 20, since numeration by position was impossible. This special character for the number 20 was given in figure 45, and a comparison of it with the sign here under discussion will show that the two are identical. But in the present example the number 6 is attached to this sign thus: (**), and the whole number is to be read 20 + 6 = 26. This number, as w

e seen, is an abbreviation for the day 1 Manik (see rule 2, p. 253). Adding 26 to 1 gives 27, and deducting all the 13s possible, namely, two, we have left

le I from the day name Manik. This will give the day name Ben, and 1 Ben will be, therefore,

right of the black 13 (rule 2, p. 253).[243] Counting forward 13 in Table I from the day name Ben, the day name reached will be Cimi, and the day 1 Cimi will be the beginning day of the next part of the tonalamatl. But since 13 is the last black number, we should have reached

the first part commencing with the day 1 Ix, containing 13 days; the second commencing with the

, to this day, according to the above rules the beginning day of the next subdivision will be found to be 1 Chicchan. Of this, however, the 1 again is the only part declared. Adding the next and last black number, 13, to this day, 1 Chicchan, according to the rules just mentioned the beginning day of the next, or third, main division will be found to be 1 Eznab. Co

t it had three subdivisions containing 13, 26, and 13 days each, commencing with the days 1 Oc, 1 Akbal, and 1 Muluc, respectively. Finally, the fifth and last division of the tonalamatl will commence with the day 1 Ik. Compare the last day sign in the column of day signs with figure 17, c, d; and its three subdivisions of 13, 26, and 13 days each with the days

outline[244] of this

sion 3d Division 4th

rt, 13

ay 1 Ix 1 Cimi 1

rt, 2

1 Manik 1 Cauac 1

rt, 1

1 Ben 1 Chicchan 1

r of days 5

on, 1st part, 13 days, begi

the black numbers, 13 + 26 + 13 = 52, by the number of day signs in the column of day si

h appears. In the present case the first god pictured is the Death Deity, God A (see fig. 3). Note the fleshless lower jaw, the truncated nose, and the vertebr?. The second deity is unknown, but the third is again the Death God, having the same characteristics as the god in the first picture. The cloak worn by this deity in the third picture shows the crossbones, which would seem to have been an emblem of dea

y are appended, and any advances made, looking toward their deciphering, will lead to far-reaching results in the meaning of the nonnumerical and noncalendric signs. In part at least they show the name glyphs of the gods above which they occur, and it see

ceding one, but a closer examination reveals the fact that the last day sign in the column of day signs is like the first, and that consequently there are only four different signs denot

ame part Caban is omitted, and merely the coefficient 13 recorded. Commencing with the day 13 Caban and adding to it the next black number in the text, again 26, according to rules 2 and 3 (p. 253), the beginning day of the next subdivision will be found to be 13 Akbal, represented by its coefficient 13 only. Adding the last black number in the text, 13, to 13 Akbal, according to the rules just mentioned,

se are given below, though the student is urged to work them out independently, using the following outline simply as a check on his work. Adding the last black num

Division 3d Divi

rt, 26

ay 13 Chuen 13 C

rt, 2

ay 13 Caban 13 I

rt, 1

y 13 Akbal 13 Lam

er of days

, 1st part, 26 days, beginnin

+ 13 = 65, the sum of the black numbers, and 4 the number of the day signs in the

upies only the latter two-thirds of the upper division, the black 12 and red

onalamatl of 10 divisions, but it develops from the calculations that instead there are recorded here two tonalamatls of fi

g to this the first black number, 27, the beginning day of the next subdivision will be found to be 9 Manik, neither the coefficient nor day sign of which appears in the text. Assuming that the calculation is correct, however, and adding the next black number, 25 (also out of place), to this day, 9 Manik, the beginning day of the next par

sion 3d Division 4th

rt, 27

ay 8 Ahau 8 Eb 8

rt, 2

9 Manik 9 Cauac 9

r of days 5

viously explained, the second column of day signs belongs to another tonalamatl, which, however, utilized the same red 8 as

sion 3d Division 4th

rt, 27

ay 8 Oc 8 Ik 8 I

rt, 2

9 Caban 9 Muluc 9 I

r of days 5

g with the day 8 Oc, commenced just 130 days later than the first tonalamatl, which began with the day 8 Ahau. In other words, the first of the two tonalamatls in Dresden 12a was

the first black number, 34, to this day ? Ahau, the day reached will be 13 Ix, of which only 13 is recorded. Since 13 Ix was reached by counting 34 forward from the day with which the count must have started, by counting back 34 from 13 Ix the starting point will be

AN ETHNOLOGYBULL

ODEX, SHOWING TONALAMATL

tion of a red 5 above the column of day signs. From here this tona

sion 3d Division 4th

rt, 34

ay 5 Ahau 5 Eb 5

rt, 1

y 13 Ix 13 Cimi 1

r of days 5

r part of pl. 28, that is, Dresden 15c) has 10 day signs arranged in two parallel columns of 5 each. This, at its face v

is the last black number, this new day will be the beginning of the next division in the tonalamatl and will appear as the upper day sign in the second column.[247] Commencing with 3 Ix and adding to it the first black number 12, the day reach

ivision 5th Division 6th Division 7th Divi

rt, 12

3 Ix 3 Ahau 3 Cimi 3 Eb 3

rt, 1

2 Cimi 2 Eb 2 Eznab 2 Kan

days 26 26 26 26

alamatl, we have: 10 × 26 = 260, the

re is a black 13 and a red 1. The student will have little difficulty in reaching the result which follows: The last

Division 3d Divi

rt, 13

day 1 Ik 1 Ma

rt, 3

day 1 Men 1 Aha

rt, 8

day 6 Cimi 6 Ch

rt, 13

day 1 Ix 1 Caua

er of days

en taken from the Dresden Codex. The following examples, however, have been selected from tonalamatls in the Codex Tro-Cortesianus. The student will note that

. The four day signs at the left indicate that it is divided into four divisions, of which the first begins with the day 13 Ik.[248] Add

AN ETHNOLOGYBULL

THE CODEX TRO-CORTESIANO, SHOWING ONE T

AN ETHNOLOGYBULL

RTESIANO, SHOWING TONALAMATL

Division 3d Divi

art,

ay 13 Ik 13 Mani

rt, 9

day 9 Chuen 9 C

rt, 1

day 5 Ahau 5 Ch

art,

day 2 Oc 2 Men

art,

day 8 Cib 8 Imi

rt, 10

y 10 Eznab 10 Akb

art,

ay 7 Lamat 7 Ben

art,

y 12 Ben 12 Eznab

art,

hau[249] 6 Chicchan[24

er of days

alamatl, we have: 4 × 65 = 260, the

in the second division, 102b, and is divided into five parts, as the column of five day signs shows. The order of re

sion 3d Division 4th

art,

4 Manik 4 Cauac 4

rt, 7

6 Muluc 6 Imix 6 Be

rt, 2

13 Cib 13 Lamat 1

rt, 10

ay 2 Eznab 2 Oc

art,

12 Lamat 12 Ahau

rt, 22

8 Caban 8 Muluc 8 I

r of days 5

n this page (see third division in pl. 29, that is, Tro-Cor., 102c) is interesting chiefly because of the fact that the pictures wh

sion 3d Division 4th

rt, 17

ay 4 Ahau 4 Eb 4

rt, 1

8 Caban 8 Muluc 8 I

rt, 1

ay 8 Oc 8 Ik 8 I

rt, 12

ay 5 Ahau 5 Eb 5

r of days 5

th the same day, 4 Ahau, as the preceding tonalamatl and, like it, has five divisions, each of which begins with the same day as the corresponding division in the tonalama

, the last red number with the second day sign. This latter day is just the day before 5 Ben, and since the sum of the black numbers in this case does not equal any factor of 260 (29 + 24 = 53), and since changing the last black number from 24 to 23 would make the sum of the black numbers equ

sion 3d Division 4th

rt, 29

ay 4 Ahau 4 Eb 4

, 23[25

7 Muluc 7 Imix 7 Be

r of days 5

alamatl, we have: 52 × 5 = 260, the

r those of the Codex Tro-Cortesiano. Unfortunately, in the Codex Peresianus no

hat days they begin, all tonalamatls see

een on page 251, of (a) the column of day sig

phic figures and animals engag

or six glyphs above

third parts amplify this and give the special meaning and significance to the subdivisions. The pictures represent in all probability the deities who presided over the several subdivisions of

longer a sealed book, and while there remains a vast amount of detail yet to be worked ou

we the elucidation of the calendric part of the tonalamatl, and to Dr. Paul Schellhas the identification of the gods and their corresponding name glyphs in parts (2) and (3), above. As pointed out at the beginning of this

rding Init

sented in this manuscript, they differ considerably from the Initial Series heretofore described, all of which have been drawn from the inscriptions. This difference, however, is

on page 129, that is, numeration by position, while in the inscriptions, as we have seen, the period glyphs are used, that is, the f

ew cases there seems to be a sign occupying the position of the introducing glyph, but its identification as the Initial-series "int

onuments. Aside from these points the Initial Series from the two sources differ but little. All proceed from identically the same star

to the right. The Initial-series number here recorded is 9.9.16.0.0, of which the zero in the 2d place (uinals) and the zero in the 1st place (kin

AN ETHNOLOGYBULL

ESDEN CODEX, SHOW

by the positions of each of the corresponding multipliers. By referring to Table XIV the values of the several positions in the second method of writing the numbers will

,000 =

200 =

360 =

20

1

-

66,

XVI), it may be reduced to zero, since 72 Calendar Rounds contain exactly

ts Initial-series number, that is, the 0 kins, it was written below the number just to the left. The terminal date of the Initial Series we are discussing, therefore, is 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, and it is recorded just to the left of its usual position in the lower left-hand corner of plate 31. The coefficient of the day sign, 4, is effaced but the remaining parts of the date are perfectly clear. Compare t

,000 =

200 =

60 =

20

1

-

64,

to the left below the kin place of the preceding Initial Series. Compare the day sign and month sign of this date with figures 17, c', d', and 20, x, y, respectively. This second Initial Series in plate 31 therefore reads 9.9.9.16.0 1 Ahau 18 Kayab. In connection with the

number it modified the significance of "backward" or "minus." This sign is shown in figure 64, and, as explained on page 137, it usually is attached only to the lowest period. Returning once more to our text, in plate 3

au 18 Kayab. But since the date 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu is stated in the text to have corresponded with the Initial-series val

0. 0 4 A

0 Ba

6. 0 1 Aha

itial-series value 9.9.9.16.0 is recorded as the second Initial Series on th

ibe wished to have the starting point of his Secondary-series number, 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, recorded as near that number as possible, that is, just below it, and consequently the Initial Series leading to this date had to stand to the right. This caused a displacement of the correspond

6.15.16.1, which the student is perfectly justified in assuming is an Initial-series number consisting of 8 cycles, 16 katuns, 15 tuns, 16 uinals, and 1 kin. Moreover, above the 8 cycles is a glyph which bears considerable resemblance to t

,000 =

,200 =

360 =

20

1

-

72,

spectively) to this remainder, the terminal date reached will be 4 Imix 9 Mol. This is not the terminal date recorded, however, nor is it the terminal date standi

me way with our Initial Series. The red circle surmounted by a knot which surrounds the 16 kins of this Secondary-series number (1.4.16) indicates that the whole number is to be counted backward from some date. Ordinarily, the first Secondary Series in

ich is actually recorded just above the Secondary-series number and just below the Initial-series number. The date here recorded is 3 Chicchan 13 Zip, an

16. 1 (4

16 B

. 5 3 Chiccha

s, 4 Imix 9 Mol, is suppressed, and the only date given is 3

corded, is shown just to the right of the preceding in plate 32. The Initial-serie

,000 =

,200 =

360 =

20

1

-

72,

g case, from the terminal date of the Initial Series above it. Assuming that this is the case, and counting 6.1 backward from 8.16.14.15.4 4 Kan 17 Yaxkin, the terminal date reached will be 13 Akbal 16 Pop, again very close to the date recorded immediately above, 13 Akbal 15 Pop. Indeed, the date as recorded, 13 Akbal 15 Pop, represents an impossible condition from the Maya point of view, since the day name Akbal could occupy only the first, sixth, eleventh, and sixteenth positions of a month. See Table VII. Consequently, through

15. 4 (4 Ka

Bac

. 3 13 Akbal

s, 4 Kan 17 Yaxkin, is suppressed and the only date given is

eems best to discuss briefly the dates recorded by these Initial Series in relation to the Initial Series on

0. 0 [255] Page 5

. 16. 0 Page 62:

4. 15. 4 Page 62:

3. 13. 0 Page 63

3. 3. 2 [256] Page

15. 0 Page 63: 10

11. 3. 0 Page 63

8. 0 [258] Page 7

. 1. 8 [259] Page

11. 18 [260] Page 7

7. 8 [261] Page 7

4. 10. 8 Page 70

4. 11. 3 Page 70

: 9. 18

ance to determine the contemporaneous date of the manuscript. If the closing date 10.19.6.1.8 represents the time at which the manuscript was made, then the preceding dates reach back for more than a thousand years. On the other hand, if 8.6.16.12.0 records the present time of the manuscript, then

each into the future, and thus to have a prophetic meaning. Here the question arises, At what point in this series of numbers does the present lie? or, Has the writer in different portions of his work adopted different points of time as the present? If I may venture to expres

e right (1 Ahau, 18 Zip ...) denotes the present, the other two [namely, 9.9.16.0.0 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu and 9.9.9.16.0 1 Ahau 18 Kayab

18 Uo, as he himself admits. The month sign he corrects to Zip in spite of the fact that it is very clearly Uo. Compare this form with figure 20, b, c. The date 1 Ahau 18 Uo occur

opinion is that the date 9.9.9.16.0 1 Ahau 18 Kayab is the present time with reference to the time of writing the codex and is the date from which the whole cal

immediately the colonization of Yucatan. There can be no doubt that very early dates appear in the Dresden Codex, but rather than accept one so early as 9.9.9.16.0 or 9.9.16.0.0 as the contemporaneous date of the manuscript the writer would prefer to belie

AN ETHNOLOGYBULL

DEN CODEX, SHOWING

rding Serp

of serpents. Two of these serpents appear in plate 32. The coils of each serpent inclose two different numbers, one in red and the other in black. Every one of the Serpent numbers has six terms, and they repr

0,000 =

,000 =

200 =

360 =

20

× 1

-

438

ost surely to be either the starting point or the terminal date, more probably the latter. Assuming that this date is the terminal date, the starting point may be calculated by counting 12,438,

irst serpent is 4.6.11.

0,000 =

,000 =

,200 =

360 =

20 =

1

-

466

t can be reached by counting backward. This will be found to be 9 Kan 12 Kayab, a date actually fou

nd serpent reads 4.6.9.15.12

0,000 =

,000 =

200 =

360 =

20

× 1

-

454

own by calculation to be just the same as the starting point for the previous number, that is, the date 9 Kan 12

e red number in the second serpent, rea

0,000 =

,000 =

,200

60 =

20

1

-

394

ting point can be shown by calculation to be just the same as the starting point of the two

of numeration in the codices (par

ins (see fig. 85); these are immediately followed by the date 9 Kan 12 Kayab. It is important to note in this connection that, unlike almost every other number in this codex, this number is expressed by the first method, the one in which the period glyphs are used. As the date 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu appears just above in the text, the first supposition is that 15.9.4.4 is a Secondary-series number which, if counted forward from 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, the starting point of Maya chronology, will reach 9 Kan 12 Kayab, the date recorded immediately after it. Proceeding on this assumption and performing the operations indicated, the terminal date reached will be 9 Kan 7

Kan 12 Kayab. At first this would appear to be even farther from the mark than our preceding attempt, but if the reader will admit a slight correction, the above number can be made to reach the date recorded. The date 13 Kan 12 Ceh is just 5 uinals earlier than 9 Kan 12 Kayab, and if we add one bar to the four dots of the uinal coefficient, this passag

rding Asce

f related numbers which cover so many pages of the Dresden Codex. These commence at the bottom of the page and increase toward the top, every ot

number 8.2.0 just above the 9 Ahau is the first term, and the day 9 Ahau the first terminal date. As usual in Maya texts

rminal date, 9 Ahau, will be reached. See the lower right-hand corner in the followin

,880[266] 75,920

Ahau 1 Ah

8,900 33,

Ahau 1 Ah

,120 29,2

Ahau 3 A

,440 17,5

Ahau 10

7] 8,760

Ahau 4 A

starting po

series. For example, the second number, 5,840 (16.4.0), is not to be counted forward from 9 Ahau in order to reach its terminal date, 4 Ahau, but from the unexpressed starting point of the whole

Ahau, the first twelve terms, that is, the numbers in t

2,920 20,440

2,920 23,360

2,920 26,280

2,920 29,20

2,920 32,12

2,920 35,04

ly, is probably an interpolation of some kind, the thirteenth number-that is, the right-hand one in the top row-is 37,960. But 37,960 is 13 × 2,920, a continuation of our series the twelfth term of which appeared in

e thirteenth term itself (37,960) is used as a difference to reach the re

× 37,960 or

× 37,960 or

× 37,960 o

× 37,960 o

th line from the bottom is more difficult to understand, and the explanation offered by Professor F?rstemann, that the first and third terms and the second and fourth are to be c

e subject of extended treatment elsewhere in the Dresden Codex (pp. 46-50), in which it is repeated 39 times in all, divided into three equal divisions of 13 periods each. The 13th term of our series 37,960 is, as we have seen, 13 × 2,920, the exact number of days treated of in t

er important chronological count. With the next to the last term (113,880) the Mars year of 780 days is brought into harmony with all the other periods named. This number, as just mentioned, represents the sum of all the 39 Venus-Solar periods on

the last t

matls of 2

years of 3

years of 5

ears of 78

r periods of

ounds of 18,

ponding Initial Series 9.9.9.16.0. It seems not unlikely, therefore, that the day 1 Ahau with which this series commences was 1 Ahau 18 Kayab, which in turn was 9.9.9.16.0 1 Ahau 18 Kayab of the Long Count. This is rendered somewhat probable by the fact that the second division of 13 Ve

has not been explained here, as unfitted to the needs of the beginner. To the student who wishes to specialize in this field of th

N

in dating,

n, meth

, punish

de, on May

official),

puty-chief)

god), na

, nonexi

nts, na

f numbers, Maya

ure, deve

ic, syst

ies, texts re

ical com

racy

es, 31-3

te

dar,

c hierogl

p succes

ward

ph,

137

(city), f

rical val

dot nu

ity, 1

howing, 157, 167,

d natur

hief), p

graphy

tch,

45, 65, 11

stem, 82-83,

lyphics,

mentary S

, vii

n, Dr.

r by

hics, 3, 23,

rical s

end

zation,

nt, 41-43, 6

isions

Round; Chronology;

dar R

ation,

ph,

r-round

les,

ation

ty), founding a

n Itza

3, 4, 5

al Series, lintel,

an B

ks

ogy bas

ono

is,

elat

tion

60-62, 113-114,

so Cal

s, so

f, diagram

d fall

on, rise a

plementary Series,

gns. See E

, charac

ly, tyrann

us, tonalamatl

rtesianus, t

di

character,

in gener

yphs used

s of

igns

, 270-

m, interpret

enty (20) use

nature, 3

eries dat

les,

tion, 31-3

phs used in, 1

ng, 22, 133, 1

atls in

yph use

erical. See Numer

L., on dating

, use of, in c

ce, cu

ssibility of er

formation and

n (c

error o

nterpretat

interpret

tor

nterpretat

nterpretat

nterpretat

nterpretat

nterpretat

error o

tion 114-1

interpret

interpret

nterpretat

nterpretat

interpret

, antiq

etation

interpreta

H. T.,

e Manners a

cl

phs

th 6

in great cy

in inscription

ates 194-1

cl

183, 185, 1

e in Maya

dates 199-

e, G

h 135

cycles i

at, Great,

sion 1

phs

in dat

te

ation 2

computin

ginals 245-25

in Initial Serie

d Ending

Series 207-

cted to mark

distinction

titi

d glyphs in

. See Initial-

d Secondary, inte

ary, and Period-ending

nding. See Peri

, Pro

les 2

27

y. See Secondar

, Ter

enc

ng 13

ance 1

ion 1

ti

s 46-4

an

ting; Initial-series; Peri

nt 60-62, 11

nation

a

of yea

38, 39,

ents 41-

ion 1

n 127-1

ation 41-

37-4

rs 11

in solar

d of

ercalary,

lucky, d

fear of

th

h 17

ure

ystem, pa

Vigesim

f the World,

, codices

e, pra

erical v

bers. See Bar a

den

271

catio

54-262,

ng 32, 254,

ess, pre

god), nat

ng s

d-ending

ero"

erat

ems

aris

so Num

s in

45-250, 27

show

rpent (god),

r books. S

introducing gl

period. S

nn, Prof

d 26

tions iii

solving n

roglyp

hetic d

igure

67-68,

show

o Time

toms, descr

fe, belie

ck, defin

See Hier

nature

an, J

gic tabl

, 44, 11

gation,

ducing g

of great

mentary S

nt, natu

t Cy

gth

cycles i

solar

day,

ph,

re,

f days in,

visio

of the M

p,

hod of dr

c (chief),

as ending s

riant n

ty, 73,

eristic

vati

over

n, 24-25,

s, 9

ue,

ication

o Arabic n

, 167, 170, 17

me-period gly

Full-figu

E. L., cit

ogly

uity,

s, 17

ter, i

ficati

nt, 23-25,

nterpretati

original t

ds, 1

of signifi

ttern,

inscribe

cation

3, 129, 133, 135, 1

errors,

ess,

23-24, 8

book

so Num

sing, use, 101-1

troducing, use

st

containi

221-222, 228

ent, iv-v

only,

ine,

g, metho

letter of tran

W. H., c

ity, cus

peri

ivision of

riting, argum

writing,

-series

ers in, examples

, 157, 167, 17

, 84-8

rpretation, 15

, 178, 179, 180, 187, 188, 191, 20

on, 63-74

bers, examples,

, 167, 170, 17

lyph, identif

of, examples,

ing, 129, 136

month sign

to Long Co

of, interpre

u kahlay katuno

09, 113-114, 125-126,

n codi

les,

showin

monume

ions on

, numberi

eous, 179, 194, 203,

arving, u

igns

s, 24

cal dat

etation

les,

d, 13

eat cycle us

glyphs. S

Monumen

ucing

k,

8, 125-127,

Glyph, me

(god), n

e, rul

(time

h, 6

n in u kahlay

h, 62

ected to ma

ng,

s of,

riod-ending d

See

(god), na

, cus

Bishop

raph

a alph

lendar, 42

ustoms, 7

record

D., investi

interpretation

re, list

o Bibli

g C

g in, 147-

re,

so Chr

od, nat

, Teo

176, 177, 178, 207,

5 at Ti

customs, des

e Custo

od, relation to

n of glyph

lay,

, 183, 185, 186, 188, 191, 203, 205, 213, 215, 218, 22

ro gl

viving tr

Sout

ies

f, diagram

nment

nd fal

an (c

ory,

ry cus

ecords

ustoms, na

. See Back

. See

ume

249

179, 194, 203, 209

al dates

g function, 3

ee Inscr

lso S

ation of rev

on Books of C

ates, 179, 1

ficial),

fluence o

jo (c

quit

nterpretati

3, erro

retati

nterpretati

y Series, ab

ate, fix

ime-period glyphs

r, deific

s, exp

, 10

nineteen, 96

era

dot syst

howing, 157, 167,

s, 91

f, for higher

s, 8

forms, 24-2

, 167, 170, 17

en, bar and d

iant for

, 23, 129, 133,

al varia

Roman and Ara

ion,

ms, 8

rison

Vigesim

ibing,

lyphs; Thirteen

coefficien

que (

tor

nscription, inter

, tablet, interpret

oss, tablet, interpretati

tions, tablet, interp

n, tablet, inter

-endin

g gly

nterpretati

ing, 223, 2

s, 77

sed in,

ure

ed in,

ng Stones. S

tic w

nt for

scovered,

Negras

ption, inter

quit

nterpretat

nterpretat

, F. Le,

zo, on Maya

, organiza

, codices u

etic

les,

271

anto (

ory,

nterpretat

nterpretat

gua (

nterpretat

eriod used

, possible

ment

nterpretat

tation, 173-175,

ry Series,

interpret

error i

etation

rpretation, 2

howing,

nterpretat

nterpretat

rpretation, 2

nterpretat

pretation, 186-18

interpreta

23, 129, 133, 135

n, natu

ce, comme

A. de la, alphab

of numbers,

eon de,

ers

re,

ssion

ation, p

. Paul, inves

e, devel

y-series

rpretation, 20

207, 210, 213, 2

tion, 7

lar fo

ading, 129,

itial Series, 2

76, 135-136, 208

nation,

al (

quit

nterpretati

Dr. E

, 2,

c calen

roglyp

nt nu

etation

ure

e, 3

, bart

ya. See May

nquest, in

glyph, f

n, Dr.

ed,

rk

el

acte

, 33,

ions on,

ments, and na

inscript

, effect

entary

sign, 15

tion, 1

xamples, 1

on, 15

modifications due

nal d

nation,

check on calcu

ion,

s, need

rte

s, 96

expression, 9

, Dr.

ed,

a alph

. H., inves

l (c

nterpretat

quit

tor

importa

etation

interpret

nterpretati

ociation with

tation,

i

backwar

forward

nly ones deci

determinat

on, 63-6

by black g

onuments, 3

describi

ding,

numbe

t, 60-62, 113

so Chr

g stones. S

per

glyphs, 67

showin

iant gly

, 167, 170, 17

gth

glyph

showin

ion o

n to day

Cycle; Haab; Katun;

tl (time

represen

etation

, 41-4

to zero s

g point

visio

cording,

al part

"20" with, 92,

codices,

ing, 254, 2

divina

of d

o Year,

tion of

s, 15

ds, 1

ress

ime pe

ph,

h, 62

riod-ending d

e, interpretati

en

, 91-9

in codic

of, in insc

n, 254,

na

ys

t da

ph,

h, 7

, 45,

st

glyphs f

Katunob

racy

uity,

ation,

equence

f readi

Initial-series

ity), fo

Solar

ions,

tonalamatl

al nume

over

on, 62-63

le ori

codices,

S. J., on Ma

d, nat

charact

truction,

ch, glyph

practic

eroglyphics; Nu

(god),

ilan

error in

interpretat

nterpretati

, interpreta

, use in div

so Ton

olar. S

ca

izati

conque

supp

(god),

e

92-95,

in,

ants

O

rn Hemisphere, although it should be borne in mind that they were surpassed in many lines of endeavor by other races. The Inca, f

in Bibliography, pp. XV, XVI. There are at least six other systems of correlation, however, on which the student must pass judgment. Although no two of these agree, all are based on data derived from the same source, namely, the Books

in his pamphlet entitled "Memoranda on the May

(1902-1908: I, pp. 588-599).

r. J. T. Goo

f Travel in Yucatan (1843: I, pp. 434-459; II,

ties and Mr. Goodman the most recent. The correlations of Mr. Bowditch and the writer are within 260 years of each other. Before accept

rly date Yucatan had not been disc

guished from others by the addition of the name of the place where it was written, as: The Book of Chilan Balam of Mani, The Book of Chilan Balam of Tizimia, and so on. Although much of the material presented in these manuscripts is apparently contradictory and obscure, their importance as original historical sources can not be overestimated, since they constitute the only native accounts of the early history of the Maya race which h

oraneous since, as above explained, they emanate from post-Conquest times. The most that can be claimed for them in this connection is that the documents

re and art also the change of environment made itself felt, and in other lines as well the new land cast a strong influence over Maya thought and achievement. In his work entitled "A

model for the three Nahua cities, Tenochtitlan, Tezcuco, and Tlacopa

es who inhabited the valley of Mexic

a characteristical

ith the people of the garrison, which the kings of Mexico had in Tabasco and Xicalango, that he should deliver his city [i. e. Mayapan] to them; and thus he broug

sland of Cozumel. Here they were made prisoners by the Maya and five, including Valdivia himself, were sacrificed. The remainder escaped only to die of starvation and hardship, with the exception of two, Geronimo de Aguilar and Gonzalo Guerrero. Both of these men had risen to

g the close of the Conquest, in 1549, where he was one of the most zealous of the early missionaries. In 1573 he was appointed bishop of Merida, which position he held until his death in 1579. His priceless Relacion, written about 1565, was not printed until three centuries later, when it was discovered by the indefatigable Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg in the library of the

e confirmed Bishop Landa's statement concerning the disposal of the dead. At Labna bodies were found buri

pyramid a stone-lined shaft running from the summit into the ground. This was filled with burials and funeral objects-pearls, coral, and jade, which from their pr

da, 1864

, Piedras Negras, Altar de Sacrificios, Quirigua, and Seibal. The occupancy of Tikal and Seibal was found to have extended to 10.2.0.0.0; of Pi

, the writer has suggested the name ho

s successor from among his brothers, or, these failing, from among his nephews. Except as limiting the succession to one family, primogeniture does not seem to have obtained; for example, Moctezoma (Montezuma) was chosen tlahtouani over the heads of several of his older brothers

dentified the sign for the planet Venus and poss

phabet" as his key. Another alphabet was that proposed by Dr. Hilborne T. Cresson, which included syllables as well as letters, and with which its originator also essayed to read the texts. Scarce worthy of mention are the alphabet and volume of interlinear translations from both the inscriptions and the codices published by F. A. de la Rochefoucauld. This is very fantastic and utterly without value unless,

can well bear awl four ewe." These words may be replaced by their h

omophones; that is, words or characters whi

cal revolution of Venus as co

atter offsetting the former. Thus the first 17 revolutions of the sequence are divided into three groups; the first 6 revolutions being computed at 29.5, each giving a total of 177 days; and the second 6 revolutions also being computed at 29.5 each, giving a total of another

l year or the time from

da, 1864

, 1688: I, lib

hat of Mercury, 115 or 116 days, etc. Furthermore, the sequence, once commenced, would naturally have been more or less uninterrupted. It is hardly necessary to repeat tha

x Peresianus may treat of histori

starting point. In the accompanying example Kan has been chosen to begin with, though Bishop Landa (p. 236) states with regard to the Maya: "The character or letter with which they commence their co

der of the days." He fails to give his authority for this statement, however, and, as wi

79, this is Old Style. The corresponding day

later, the 365-day year was not used in recording time. But that so fundamental a period had therefore no spe

, c, is not a sign for Uo, but a very unusual variant of the sign for Zip, f

is not a sign for the month Zotz, as suggested by Mr. Bowditch, but a very unusual form repr

r years will be bound," respectively. These doubtless refer to the fact that at the expiration of this p

letin 28

Temple of the Cross at Palenque, proceed from the date 4 Ahau 8 Zotz-more than 5,000 years in advance of the starting point just named. The writer has no suggestions to offer in explanation of these two dates other than that he believes

probably because it is the standard date from which practically all Maya

h signified present time

a Statuette and the Holactun Initial Series, which ext

n a great cycle, a question concerning which ther

ely, the Initial Series on the Temple of the Cross at Palenque

VIII, 310-18) discusses the po

of the term "full-fig

sion of Serpent num

n, the tablet of the Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque, and Stela

period of the 6th order will be presented on pp. 114-127 in connect

rigua, however, has a normal human h

are included with the head

t recur, satisfying all the necessary conditions, for 374,400 years, must be regarded a

r as the writer knows, only six monuments in the entire Maya area present this feature,

oted that the third tooth (i. e. day) after the

l or kin period endings, probably because of the comparative frequency with

nticipate the discussion of Maya numerals there presented to the extent of stating that a bar repres

152-164). It is necessary to note here a correction on p. 153 of that work. Doctor Brinton has omitted a Katun 8 Ahau from this u kahlay katunob, which is present in the Berendt copy, and h

l of more than 3,000 years between the extreme dates. In such cases, however, this interval is not divided into katu

ions at Palenque, there seems to be recorded a kind of u kahlay

re, has been restricted to the firs

p. 96, fo

ntal element (*). This is very unusual and, so far as the writer knows, is the only example of its ki

prefixes to the katun sign. Frequently, however, they occur as superfi

20 periods of the order next below it; otherwise the uinal, katun, and cycle glyphs could all be

ive position from bottom to top

nd is used with black bar and dot nume

in graphic representations of the tonalamatl. On page 1 of the Zapotec Codex Féjerváry-Mayer a

two codices is doubtless due to the fact that the month glyphs are recorded only a very fe

and 19, 20, respectively), and of the period glyphs (see figs. 25-35, inclusive). Reference to these f

possible use of head numerals with period glyphs in the codices, however, is found in the Dresden Codex. Here the accompanying head (?) is almost surely that for the number 16, the hatchet eye denoting 6 and the fleshless lower jaw 10. Compare (?) with fig. 53, f-i, where the head for 16 is shown. The glyph (?) here shown is the normal form for the kin sign. Compare fig. 34, b. The meaning of these two forms would thus seem to be 16 kins. In

fferent ways: (1) by a special head meaning 13, and (2) by the essential char

itial Series in cycles other

ree forms of fig. 54 does not seem to be e

r 20 is used only in the codices and th

t in so far as they have been deciphered. It is true many numbers are found in both the inscriptions and codices which are attached to signs of unknown meaning, and it is possible that these may have nothing to do with th

corresponding head variants, and consequently entail less work for the student. It should be borne in mind, however, that any bar and dot numeral or a

rs in the inscriptions which are co

the Cross at Palenque; (2) Altar 1 at Piedras Ne

tablet from the Temple of t

pan was not counted from the date 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu. The writer has not been

ption, however, but in the Dresden Codex, in which, in a series of numbers on pp. 71-73,

fact that it was just 13 cycles in advance o

for method of designating th

60). At the maximum, however, they could increase this

sign is frequently omitted and its coeffici

but undoubtedly was the

od, the kin, is miss

texts come from widely separated centers-Copan in the extreme southeast,

s to this have been

been included here as they are also

he numeration of the cycles; also the numerals 0 to 19, inclusive, when used to denote the positions

are by far the best. By using either of the above the necessity of reducing the higher terms to units of the first order is obviated. On the other hand, the processes by means of which this is achieved in each case are far more complicated and less easy of comprehension than those of the method followed in this book, a method which from it

=2,880,000). The writer assumes that he has established the fact that 20 cycles w

below-the numbers which are counted from them. In reality such cases are perfectly regular and conform to this rule, because th

ieves, as stated in Chapter II, are those wh

eries on the east side of Stela C at Quirigua, and (2) the tablet from the Temple of the Cross at Pale

lways be identified by the so-called introducing

Codex in which, although the count is backward, the special character

the "backward sign" includes also

ber is found the date 4 Ahau 8 Ca

u kahlay katunob also, from the Books of

ystem are written. For example, 4 katuns, 8 tuns, 3 uinals, and 1 kin are written 4.8.3.1; and 9 cycles, 16 katuns, 1 tun, 0 uinal, and 0 kins are written 9.16.1.0.0. According to this method, the highest term in each number is written on

lone shows the actual number of units which have to be counted either forward or backward, as the count may be, in order

ar day, as 1 Ik for example, proceed to count 260 days from this day as a starting point, in either direction around the whe

, and counting forward this number from the date 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, as described in the r

positions of such dates are also fixed in the Long Count, and consequently may be use

e 9.12.2.0.16 and 12.9.5, care should be tak

. 2.

.

--

. 14.

ng to them 1 for each 20 which was carried forward from the 1st place. After all the 18s possible have been deducted from this sum (here 0) place the remainder (here 10) in the uinal place. Next add the tuns, or units of the 3d place, adding to the

reverse of the preceding

. 2.

.

--

. 9.

katun has to be borrowed, which, added to the 1 tun left in the minuend, makes 21 tuns) = 9 tuns; 0 k

record the dates of the Initial Series they accompany according to some other and unknown method, though he offers no proof in support of this hypothesis. Mr. Bowditch (1910: p. 244) believes they probably relate to time, because the glyphs of which they are composed have numbers attached to them. He has suggested the name Supplementary Serie

the last one in the Supplementary Series, usually standing immediately before the month glyph of the Initial-series terminal date. It does not signify, however, that the

in the Supplementary Series than as its "closing" glyph. In su

terminal dates alike are expressed as days only; thus, 2 Ahau, 5 Imix, 7 Kan, etc. This is

orded thus (*). Compare the month form in this date with fig. 20, z-b'. Mr. Gates (1910: p. 21) finds three month signs in the Codex Peresianus, on pp. 4, 7, and 18 at 4c7, 7c2, and 18b4, res

, the word "inscriptions" is appli

nt glyphs are included in one glyph-block. In such cases, however, the glyphs within the glyph-block follow precisely the

the same plate the closing glyph of the Supplementary Series (the month-sign indicator) is wanting, although the month sign itself is very clear. Again, in D the details of the day glyph and month glyph are partially effaced (restored in the reproduction), and in C, although the entire text is very clear, the month sign of the terminal date irregularly follows immedi

icular point in question being given. For this reason reference will be made in each case to the publication in which the entire inscriptio

to be understood as inclusive. Thus A1-B2

nds at the beginning of an inscription, or in the second glyph-bloc

ela 10 at Tikal is the only ex

g examples, nearly all Initial Serie

far as these calculations are concerned

n the divisions of the year which the Maya called 3, 8, 13, and 18 correspond in our method of nam

52, the meaning of the Supplementar

the writer to this conclusion are

of this inscription se

head of each text, it is unnecessary to repeat for each new text step 2 (p. 135) and step 3 (p. 136), which explain how to determine the starting point of the count and the direction of the count, respecti

with the ending date of the period whose close the monument marks. In other words, the Initial-series date is not always the date contemporaneous with t

of this inscription see

nd of some particular 5-tun period in the Long Count, as 9.18.5.0.0, or 9.18.10.0.0, or 9.18.15.0.0, or 9.19.0.0.0, for example, seems to indicate that this period was the u

of this inscription se

steps 2 (p. 139) and 3 (p. 140) have been omitted

tudent should perform the various calculations by which the results are reached,

days which can occupy this position in any division of the year are Ik, Manik, Eb, and Caban. Now, by comparing the sign in A4 with the signs for Ik, Manik, and Caban, c, j, and a', b', respectively, of fig. 16, it is ve

scription will be found in Mau

nscription is given in Maudsl

decoration on t

eries occurs in but two other inscriptions in the Maya territory, namely, on Stela N at Copan. See pl. 26,

his inscription see Maudslay

ver to B4a after reading A4a (the 10 tuns), the next glyph to be read is the sign belo

e head-variant numerals in

0 3 Ahau 3 Xul and therefore the opening day of the ne

is inscription, see Maudslay,

ed on Stela 15, which is 40 years older than Stela

au 3 Zotz. The above remark applies only to the large monuments, which, the writer believes, were period-markers. Stela 9 is therefore the nex

his inscription, see Maudsla

ent contradiction permits of an easy explanation. Although the Initial Series on the west side of Stela C at Quirigua undoubtedly refers to an earlier date than the Initial Series on the Copan monument, it does not follow that the Quirigua monument is the older of the two. This is true because on the other side of this same stela at Quirigua is recorded another date, 9.17.5.0.0 6 Ah

this inscription see Maud

his inscription see Maler, 1

this inscription see Maler,

this inscription see Male

riably the one designating contemporaneous time, and the earlier dates refer probably to historical, traditional, or even mythological events in the Maya past. Thus the Initial Series 9.0.19.2.4 2 Kan 2 Yax on Lintel 21 at Yaxchilan, 9.1.0.0.0 6 Ahau 13 Yazkin on the west side of Stela C at Quirigua, and 9.4.0.0.0 13 Ahau 18 Yax from the Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque, all refer probably to earlier historical or traditional events in the past of these three cities, but they do not indicate the dates

are not inscribed on large stone monuments but on smaller antiquities, namely, the Tuxtla Statuette a

this inscription see Maudsl

his inscription see Maudslay

me mythological event rather than to any historical occurrence. The date here recor

his inscription see Maudslay

this inscription, see Mauds

ting it 0 the date reached will be within 19 days of the date originally recorded. Even though its maximum value (19) had originally been recorded here, i

his inscription see Maudslay

orrect as regards the coefficient of the day sign. The original has two numerical dots between two crescents, whereas the

his inscription see Maudslay

his monument see Spinde

sion of full-figure

or 7, 14, 16, and 19 will be found in th

his inscription see Maudslay

of fishes. As explained on pp. 65-66, the fish represents probably the original form from which the comblike element was derived in the proc

his inscription, see Maudsla

ng is from bottom to top. See pl. 15, B, glyphs 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, etc. Cons

of this inscription see

e 0 for the coefficients of their uinal and kin glyphs, and in F, D, E, the Initial Series which shows the position of the monumen

ed Fruit Co., found a still earlier monument about half a mile west of the main group. This has been na

inscription see Holmes, 1907:

s to its inscription, see Holmes, 1907: pp. 691 et seq. The present writer gives therein at some

c: I, 23, fig. 7. During his last visit to the Maya territory the writer discovered t

] Mi

period just at this particular epoch of Maya history, which we have every reason to believe was filled with stirring events and quickly shifting scenes. Tikal, with the Initial Series 10.2.

ecorded in connection with the date 6 Ahau 18 Kayab, but as this date does not appear to be fixed in the Long Count, there is no way of ascertaining whether it is earlier or later than the starting point of Maya chronology. Mr. Bowditch (1910: pp. 195-196) offers an interesting explanation of t

f this inscription, see i

, but by adding 18 Calendar Rounds (341,640) the number to b

4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, gives the date 4 Ahau 8 Zotz, which is no nearer the terminal d

his inscription, see Maudsla

essential element of the 10 head applied to the 3 head, the combination of the two giving 13. Usually the head for 13 is r

ss resembles the tun sign, a closer exami

every other possible value of the cycle coefficient

this inscription see Male

the student is urged to perform the calculations neces

ial Series, it has here been included as a part of it, thoug

16.5 is equal to 108,6

Tzec, which is within 9 days of 9.16.1.0.9 7 Muluc 17 Tzec, is recorded in four diff

this inscription see Male

ndicator appears in B2

Not ex

date of this monument as 9.13.15.0.0 13 Ahau

his inscription, see Maudsla

ent in each case is 3, agreeing with the coefficients in the Initial-series terminal dat

fell on the 16th of July, the day 3 Yax always fell

ich is very near the summer solstice, that is, the seeming northern limit of th

this inscription, see Mauds

re not actually recorded but which are

9.15.5.0.0 reached by the Secondary Series on one side to the starting point

onvenience in figuring, the lower parts of columns A and B are shown in B instead of below the

tions made in the previous text that the date 12 Caban 5 Kayab, which

itial-series value 9.15.6.14.6 was fou

his inscription see Maudslay

r this head the value 8 instead of 1. However, as the calculations point

9-1902: I, pl. 102, wes

.: IV, pl. 81,

: IV, No. 2, pl. 38, ea

, 1911: V, pl.

1889-1902: I, pl.

, 1889-1902: IV, p

V, pl. 17, east s

9-1902: II, pl. 19, wes

, 1889-1902: IV, p

901: II, No. 1, pl

y, op. cit., pl.

ng days of the year. Dates which fall in this period are exceedingly rare, and in the

yphs P14-R2. Glyphs Q15-P17 are omitted from

1889-1902: I, pl. 10

as explained on p. 175, footnote 1, records the date of this monument. The true date of this monument is

9-1902: II, pl. 44, wes

his statement. Quen Santo is in the highlands of Guatemala (see pl. 1) and is well to the south of the Usamacintla region. It rose to prominence pro

: IV, No. 1, pl. 9, gly

he tun, uinal, and kin signs) are omitted and consequ

d, the kin coefficient 10 standing above the uinal sign instead of at the left

positions of the uinal and k

his inscription, see Maudsla

d elsewhere (see pp. 247, 248), this is an error on the part of the ancient scrib

cients are reversed, the latter standing to the left of its sign instead of above, and in the second

0 Ahau 8 Chen, we must subtract 1.14.6 from the Initial-series value

uinal sign is very clearly 19, an impossible value for the uinal coefficient in the inscriptions, 19 uinals a

, B6a, very irregularly stands between the kin pe

recorded as 12.

ries numbers, in order to facilitate their comparison. The contemporaneous date of each monument is given in bold-faced figures and capita

axkin, which was just 2 katuns later than 9.14.13.4.17 12 Caban 5 Kayab, or, in other words,

this inscription, see Mauds

this inscription, see Mauds

in the Long Count was a katun

0. 0 2 A

0. 0 8 A

. 0. 0 1

. 0. 0 7

0. 0 13 Ah

t

r, 1911: N

to this statement, in the co

age of another, without reference to their actua

nd the quotations from contemporary authorities, both S

hecies or divinations. This, however, is a matter apart from their composition, that is,

continuous strip sometimes several yards in length. As will appear later

lumns of day signs the topmost sign of

. The writer has inserted it here to avoid confusing th

tlines which follow are t

sign of the Death God (see fig. 3). Note the e

is only a repetition of the first sign, indic

of reading the glyphs in columns is

-hand dot of th

uscript has i

e 30 the page number shoul

uscript incor

ly recorded as

ly recorded as

8, Bur. Amer.

for comparative work the Initial-series numbers alone are

10.13.3.13.2; that is, reversing the po

nged to 13, above. These corrections are all suggested by Professor F?rstemann a

reads 8.16.4.11.0. The uinal coef

reads 10.19.6.0.8. The uinal co

reads 9.16.4.10.18. The uinal coe

y reads 9.19.8.7.8. The tun coe

ditch, 19

le VII Kan can occupy only the 2d, 7th, 12th, or 17th position in the months. The correct reading

8, but in reality it is 9, the lower dot having

8.2.0 (2,920) from 9 A

top terms of the four numbers in this ro

orrects to 1.12.8.0; in other words, changing the uinal from 5 to