MORLBY] INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF MAYA HIEROGLYPHS 15 1 



the terminal date may be calculated by subtracting the distance num- 

 ber 14.13.4.17 from the Initial Series of the starting point: 



9.14.13.4.17 (Initial-series value of the starting point) 12 Caban 5 

 Kayab 

 14.13.4.17 (distance from 12 Caban 6 Kayab backward to 8 Ahau 

 13 Ceb) 

 [9. 0. 0.0. 0] (Initial-series value of the terminal date) 8 Ahau 13 

 Ceh 

 The bracketed parts are not expressed. We have seen els(>where 

 that the Initial Series 9.0.0.0.0 has for its terminal date 8 Ahau 13 Ceh ; 

 therefore our calculation proves itself. 



The foregoing examples make it sufficiently clear that the distance 

 numbers of Secondary iSeries may be used to determine the Initial- 

 series values of Secondary-series dates, either by their addition to 

 or subtraction from loiown Initial-series dates. 



We have come now to the final step in the consideration of Maya 

 numbers, namely, the identification of the terminal dates determined 

 by the calculations given under the fourth step, pages 138-143. This 

 step may be summed up as follows: 



Fifth Step in Solving Maya Numbers 



Find the terminal date to which the number leads. 



As explained under the fourth step (pp. 138-143), the terminal date 

 may be found by calculation. The above direction, however, ref(Ts 

 to the actual finding of the terminal dates in the texts; that is, where 

 to look for them. It may be said at the outset in this connection 

 that terminal dates in the great majority of cases follow immediately 

 the numbers which l<?ad to them. Indeed, the connection between 

 distance numbers and their corresponding terminal dates is far closer 

 than between distance numbers and their corresponding starting 

 points. This probably results from the fact that the closing dates 

 of Maya periods were of far more importance than their opening 

 dates. Time was measured by elapsed periods and recorded in terms 

 of the ending days of such periods. The great emphasis on the clos- 

 ing date of a period in comparison with its opening date probably 

 caused the suppression and omission of the date 4 Ahau 8 Cumhu, 

 the starting point of Maya chronology, in all Initial Series. To the 

 same cause also may probably be attributed the great uniformity in 

 the positions of almost all terminal dates, i. e., immediately after the 

 numbers leading to them. 



We may formulate, therefore, the following general rule, which the 

 student will do wx'll to apply in every case, since exceptions to it are 

 very rare: 



Rule. The terminal date reached by a number or series almost 

 invariably follows immediately the last term of th(i number or series 

 leading to it. 



