LditsTEMANN.] MAYA CHRONOLOGY 489 



by no means positively asserted, but nrerely suggested, tlie five signs 

 should have the following values of time: 



8,760 = 1 ahau = 24 X 305 

 2,920 = i ahau = 8 X 3G5 = 5 X 584 

 7,200 = 1 old ahau = 20 X 360 

 18,720 = 1 old katun = 52 X 360 = 72 X 260 

 360 = 1 old year 



37,960 = 2 katuns (2 X 52 X 365 = 2 X 73 X 260) 



The period of 2 katuns, however, has often proved very impor- 

 tant ; for instance, on pages IG to 50. It is also divisible by the Venus 

 year of 584 days, which is not the case with 1 katun. 



It should not seem very surprising that the old designations, which 

 must have been already hallowed by use, were not discarded after the 

 introduction of the year of 305 days, and the ahau of 24 years. A 

 greater variety of glyphs enhanced the mystery of writing and the 

 awe with w^hich the priests were regarded. 



But here I j^ause. Above the five signs just now under discussion 

 there are four others arranged in pairs. 



I have already expressed the opinion that these signs signify a 

 period of not less than 652 katuns and have tried to give grounds for 

 this view, but it must rest on a firmer foundation before I can pro- 

 mulgate it, I have perhaps already advanced more than will admit 

 of proof. 



