MOKLEY] INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF MAYA IIIEROUl.YPllS 157 



is Cl, which is followed by Dl, C2 D2, C'S 1)3, etc. Ajj:mn, wh(>n ])1() 

 is reached the next in order is El, which is followed by Fl, E2 F2, 

 E3 F3, etc. In this way the order of reading; proceeds from left to 

 rij];ht and from to]) to bottom, in paii-s of columns, that is, G H, I J, 

 K Jj, and M N throughout the inscription, antl usually clos(>s with 

 tho glyph-block in the lower right-hand corner, as NlO in figure 66. 

 By this simple system of coordinates any particular glyph in a text 

 may be reaclily referred to when the need arises. Thus, for example, 

 in figure 66 gly])h «' is referred to as D3 ; gly]^h ^ as F6 ; glyph y as 

 K4; gly}3h ^ as NlO. In a few texts the glyph-blocks are so irregu- 

 larly placed that it is impracticable to designate them by the above 

 coordinates. In such cases the order of the glyph-blocks will bo 

 indicated by numerals, 1, 2, 3, etc. In two Copan t(>xts. Altar S (fig. 

 81) and Stela J (pi. 15), made from the drawings of Mr. Maudslay, 

 his numeration of the glyphs has been followed. This numeration 

 appcai-s in these two figures. 



Texts Recording Initial Series 



Because of the fundamental importance of Initial Series in the 

 Maya system of chronology, tho first class of texts rc^presented will 

 illustrate this method of dating. Moreover, since the normal forms 

 for the numerals and the period glyj^ths will be more easily recognized 

 by the beginner than the corresponding head variants, the first Initial 

 Series given will be found to have all the numerals and ])eri()d glyphs 

 expressed by normal forms.* 



In plate 6 is figured the drawing of the Initial Seri(>s ^ from Zoo- 

 morph P at Quirigua, a monument which is said to be the finc^st pi(^ce of 

 aboriginal sculpture in th(^ western hemis2:»here. Our text opens with 

 one large glyph, which occupies the space of four glyph-blocks, Al- 

 B2.^ Analysis of this form shows that it possesses all th(^ (>lements 

 mentioned on pjige 65 as belonging to tho so-call(>d Initial-series 

 introducing gly})h, without which Initial Series never seem to have 

 been recorded in the inscriptions. These elements are: (1) the trinal 



1 Initial Series which have all their period glyphs expressed by normal forms are comparatively rare; 

 consequently the four examples presented in pi. (i, althougli they are the best of their kind, leave some- 

 thing to be desired in otlier ways. In pi. fi, A , for example, the month sign was partially effaced though 

 it is restored in the accompanying reproduction; in B of the same plate the closing glyph of the Supple- 

 mentary Series (the month-sign indicator) is wanting, although the month sign itself is very clear. 

 Again, in D the details of tlie day glyph and month glyph are partially effaced (restored in tlie repro- 

 duction), and in C, although the entii-e text is very clear, the month sign of the terminal date irregularly 

 follows immediately the day sign. However, in spite of these slight irregularities, it has seemed best to 

 present these particular texts as the first examples of Initial Series, because their period,^ glyphs are 

 expressed by normal forms exclusively, which, as pointed out above, are more easily recognized on account 

 of their greater differentiation tlian the corresponding head variants. 



2 In most of the examples presented in this chapter tlie full inscription is not sliown, only that part of 

 the text illustrating the particular point in question being given. For this reason reference will be 

 made in each case to the publication in wliich tho entire inscription has been reproduced. Tlie full 

 text on Zoomorph P at (Quirigua will be found in Maudslay, 1889-1902: n, pis. 53, 54, 55, 5(), 57, 59, 63, 64. 



8 All glyphs expressed in this way are to be understood as inclusive. Thus A1-B2 signifies 4 glyphs, 

 namely, Ai, Bl, A2, B2. 



