inteoduction to study of maya hlekoglyphs 

 First Method of Numeration 



105 



In the first of the above methods the numbers to 19, mclusive, 

 were expressed by multiplying the kin sign by the numerals ^ to 19 



m n o p q 



Fig. 50. Examples of the first method of numeration, used almost exclusively in the inscriptions. 



in turn. Thus, for example, 6 days was written as shown in figure 

 56, a, 12 days as shown in l>, and 17 days as shown in c of the same 



1 Whether the Maya used their numerical system in the inscriptions and codices for counting anything 

 besides time is not known. As used in the texts, the numbers occur only in connection with calendric 

 matters, at least in so far as they have been deciphered. It is tnie 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 the calendar. An enumeration of cities or towns, or of tribute rolls, for 

 example, may be recorded in some of these places. Both of these subjects are treated of in the Aztec 

 manuscripts and may well be present in Maya texts. 



