INSCRIPTIONS OF THE EARLY PERIOD. 113 
to commemorate, 9 Ahau, on the stela itself at pi2 I. h., thus linking the 
stela with its altar, which fixes the position of both in the Long Count. 
That the date selected for the altar of Stela E is just midway between 
the dates of Stele 7 and P, and records, moreover, an even hotun-ending in 
the Long Count, will appear from the following: 
Stela 7 9.9. 0.0.0 3 Ahau 3 Zotz 
5.0.0 (1 hotun) 
Altar of Stela E 9.9. 5.0.0 (9g Ahau) 18 Uo 
5.0.0 (1 hotun) 
Stela P 9.9.10.0.0 2 Ahau 13 Pop 
It remains only to select from the list of possible Initial Series on page 109 
the one which was probably recorded on Stela E, and from which a Second- 
ary Series on the altar associated with Stela E probably brought the count 
forward to 9.9.5.0.0. 
An examination of the three Initial Series left on page 10g, the third, 
fourth, and eighth, leads to the conclusion that the fourth (9.9.2.17.0) is the 
one most likely to have been recorded on Stela E for the following reasons: 
1. The third date, 9.6.10.4.0, is too early to be stylistically probable, and on 
this ground almost certainly may be eliminated. 
2. The eighth date, 9.8.2.13.0, is equally improbable, since the Initial Series 
terminal date is almost certainly 10 Ahau 8 Uo and not to Ahau 8 Zip. 
From what remains of the prefix of c3 (the month-sign of the Initial 
Series terminal date) it bears a much closer resemblance to the prefix 
(or superfix) of Uo than it does to the prefix (or superfix) of Zip. Com- 
pare C3 plate 14, b with £2 plate 14, d, and the forms for Uo and Zip given 
on pp. 66, 67, and others in Appendix X. Indeed, there is little doubt 
but that c3 records 8 Uo and not 8 Zip. 
3. The fourth date, 9.9.2.17.0, is nearest the hotun-ending probably recorded 
on the associated altar, 1.¢., 9.9.5.0.0. 
4. The fourth date is the only one between the limits 9.9.0.0.0 and 9.9.10.0.0, 
the period from which Stela E must date on stylistic grounds; and finally, 
5. The fourth date, 9.9.2.17.0, is within 1 uinal of a tun-ending, 1.¢., 9.9.3.0.0. 
For these reasons the writer regards 9.9.2.17.0 10 Ahau 8 Uo as the 
Initial Series of Stela E. 
It is also possible that a Secondary Series number, 2.1.0, was recorded on 
the altar of Stela E, since this number exactly bridges the gap between the 
Initial Series of Stela E and the closing date of its altar as deciphered above; 
and it it also possible that the partially effaced glyphs on the south side of 
Stela E formerly may have presented the distance number 1.15.0, the time 
necessary to bridge the gap between 9.9.1.2.0 13 Ahau 18 Tzec in cio and 
9.9.2.17.0 10 Ahau 8 Uo, the Initial Series terminal date. 
If the former possibility were true, the analogy already pointed out 
between Stela E and its altar and Stela I and its altar would be complete. 
A summary of the inscription on Stela E and its altar, as deciphered, 
follows. 
