SCOPE OF THE PRESENT INVESTIGATION. 45 
Spinden has elaborated this hypothesis in a recent paper, arguing for 
the historical character of some of the reliefs: 
“Judging by the graven pictures many monuments of the southern Maya are 
memorials of conquest. Captives bound with rope or held by the hair are actually 
represented in several instances. On a still greater number of monuments the 
principal personage stands upon a crouched or prostrate man devoid of all signs of 
rank and power. . . . Nowit is obvious that the presence of vassals and overlords 
on the monuments increases the probability that actual historical events are being 
commemorated and that actual historical persons are being portrayed. .. . All the 
human figures 1 in this tableau [Piedras Negr as, Stela 12], including rhreas victors and 
nine victims, have short incised inscriptions upon their bodies or near their heads. 
These inscriptions consist of two or more glyphs, and it seems reasonable to 
suppose that names of both persons and places are recorded.””! 
This evidence in itself is very convincing, but when it is coupled with 
the fact that historical data are known to be recorded in the related Aztec 
manuscripts, and stated by the early Spanish writers to have been recorded 
in the Maya manuscripts as well, and actually found in the Books of Chilan 
Balam, there can be little doubt that some historical data will yet be found 
in the Maya inscriptions, even though the most recent discoveries are not 
in this direction. 
Whether or not the Maya inscriptions contain such an historical re- 
siduum, however, is of little moment in the present connection, since, from 
what has already been said, there can be no doubt as to the fundamental 
part played by chronology in their records. 
The decipherment of the dates on the monuments at Copan, therefore, 
is the object of the present investigation. Upon the dates of the monuments 
hinges the solution of other important and related problems: the development 
of Maya art, the determination of Maya astronomical learning, the possible 
discovery of historical material, and, in fact, the very function of the monu- 
ments themselves. Indeed, it is safe to say in this connection that little 
or no progress can be made in understanding the true nature of the Maya 
monuments and their inscriptions until their dates shall have been deciphered. 
1Spinden, 1916a, pp. 442, 443. Stela 12, at Piedras Negras, mentioned above, is one of the best examples of 
these possible “historical monuments.”’ See Maler, 1901, plate 21. The subject portrayed is a ruler seated upon a 
throne with an attendant standing on either side. Seated cross-legged below the throne, and between the two 
attendants, are nine captives bound with ropes, their ear-plugs removed, no head-dresses or clothing, and an unmis- 
takable expression of distress on their faces. “The scene would appear to be that of a conqueror and his captives. 
It is interesting to note that of these twelve figures the ruler, his two attendants, and five of the captives have the 
same glyph either inscribed on them or near them, namely, the familiar bat head or Zotz-sign with a knot prefix. 
In other words, two-thirds have the same character attached to them. Lehmann (1909, p. 17, note 1) suggests this 
may have something to do with the Maya bat tribe, the Tzotzil (Maya ¢zotz, bat). Spinden (zbid.) believes this 
glyph may have the general meaning “here follows a name.” 
The writer thinks it more likely that this bat glyph is a general sign for “conquest” or “conquered.” The 
other glyph or glyphs would then indicate the name of the figure in each case, the picture itself showing the relation 
of the figure to the central idea, i. ¢., whether as conquering or being conquered. 
Lintel 2 at Piedras Negras has a similar subject. See Maler, 1901, plate 31. Here an elaborately dressed ruler, 
with spear in hand, faces six kneeling figures, though these are not bound. Behind the ruler stands a single attend- 
ant. Again, four of the six captives (?) have the Zotz glyph standing above them. Although it is too early to 
attempt to speak finally as to the meaning of this glyph, the accompanying pictures are such as to indicate that it 
may well have had the general meaning suggested by the writer above. 
The strong probability, as Spinden notes above, that portraiture occurs on the monuments, also tends to 
confirm their historical character, for the reason that if the figures portrayed are particular individuals, the 
accompanying inscriptions would presumably record their activities. 
