7TS0 MAYAN CALENDAR SYSTEMS [ETH. ANN, 19 
the frequent repetition of the so-called ahau time or numeral symbol. 
By beginning with glyph 1 and following down the first two columns 
and then down the second two as numbered, it will be seen that they 
have numerals attached, beginning with 1 and proceeding in regular 
order, 2, 8, etc, up to 16. The remaining numbers, 17-20, do not 
appear to have been given on the Stela. 
As Mr Goodman’s comment on this inscription reveals his method 
of ascertaining numeral characters, it probably will be best to give it 
in full: 
First Anau—360 Days 
Second glyph—The upper character is one meaning beginning, or from the begin- 
ning, as we have learned from its use elsewhere with directive and period signs, so 
there will be no necessity for speaking of it again. The inference is plain that the 
characters under it represent the number of days in the single ahau that has passed. 
They consist of a composite sign surmounting two opposed coils—the coil, however, 
not being as plain in this particular instance as in succeeding ones. We have long 
suspected all forms of the coil, where it went beyond a mere curye, to be indicative 
of 9, and the subfix of the ahau symbol has pretty well satisfied us of it. Now, these 
are identical with the coils in that subfix, but they have not the centerpiece between 
them which there multiplies them by 4. Hence, these must stand for 18 simply, 
one of the commonest constituents of 360, the ahau number of days. In that case 
the other factor must be 20, represented by the composite character aboye. 
Third glyph—Here we recognize the double cauac character, which we know 
stands for 20 days, from its employment in the symbols for the calendar round and 
cycle. It follows that the head above .t must imply 18, but unfortunately it is too 
mutilated to clearly make out if it has the characteristics of the ordinary 18 face or 
is a variant. 
Seconp Anau—720 Days 
Second glyph—The same two coils; hence the composite character above them 
here must denote 40. 
Third glyph—The 10-day sign qualified by three characters that should aggregate 
72. We should not be able to make them out but for knowledge subsequently 
gained. If you will look down to the seventh ahau you will see, in the second glyph, 
the under one of these three characters. Its position there proves it to be 35. The 
middle numeral is a bar with a band crossing it obliquely in the center—a sign for 
9; but here there are two other partial bands, so that presumably it is three times 
nine, or 27. Weare yet ten short of the necessary total. In the top sign, we know 
the ahaw stands for 4, the hand ordinarily for 5; but as the upright thumb by itself 
means 1, the hand in this position evidently has the value of 6. 
Tuirp AnAu—1080 Days 
Second glyph—One of the coils disappears here and a sign for 3 takes its place. 
As the 9 element, which is an indispensable constituent of the ahau total, would be 
lost by addition, this 8 must serve as a multiplier—9 x 3=27 X20=5402=1,080. The 
multiplication also shows us that the duplicate character at the bottom has here but 
a single value. 
Third glyph—The yax character which in the month symbol has the value of 4, an 
outflaring sign which in another inscription distinguishes a fifteenth katun, and a 
character that must signify 18, to make up the complement of days—15x4= 
60> 18=1080. 
Fourth glyph—We must infer this to be an arbitrary sign, equivalent to a third 
ahau, or three ahaus. 
