INSCRIPTIONS OF THE MIDDLE PERIOD. 163 
although unusual, is probably an ending-sign, the superfix an ornamented 
numerical bar, 7. ¢., 5, and the main element, the winged-Cauac variant of the 
tun-sign. Note the “balls” in the upper right-hand corner and the half circle 
of dots at the bottom, both characteristics of the tun element in the hotun-sign. 
The foundations of Stela 1, 7. ¢., the manner in which the cruciform 
chamber underneath is built into the stairway on the western side of Mound 
g, are such as to necessitate that both stela and mound were erected at the 
same time, namely, 9.11.15.0.0 (the date of Stela 1); and if so, this monu- 
ment is the earliest surely im situ at the Main Structure. 
It has already been pointed out (pp. 107, 115, 125) that Stele E and P, even 
though the latter is still standing, are neither of them in the positions for 
which they were originally designed, but that, on the contrary, both had been 
removed to the Main Structure in ancient times from some other locality, 
probably Group 9. 
There remain, however, two other monuments at the Main Structure, 
Stele 2 and 3, which are 15 years older than Stela 1, and which may possibly 
be im situ. Of the seven stele recording the date 9.11.0.0.0, these are the 
only two, except Stela 23 at Group 1, which have the human figure carved 
upon them, all the others being in Class 3. And it is conceivable for this 
very reason that these two may have had a greater value than the others 
in the eyes of the ancient inhabitants of the city, sufficient, indeed, to have 
insured their removal to the Main Structure from some earlier location after 
g.11.0.0.0, like Stele E and P. In other words, all four of these monuments 
were too good to be left standing in outlying groups, once the Main Structure 
had become the principal settlement in the valley, and they were removed 
thither some time after 9.11.0.0.0, and the writer believes after 9.11.15.0.0, 
when Stela 1 was erected, and possibly even before the Great Plaza was 
laid out shortly after 9.12.5.0.0. The earliest stela erected at the Main Struc- 
ture was probably one of these three, Nos. 1, 2, or 3, and of these, Stela 1, 
as the only one of the three indubitably zm situ where found, has the best 
claims to this distinction. In any event, the Main Structure began to become 
the most important settlement in the valley about g.11.0.0.0 or a little later, 
and Mound g is probably the oldest construction now extant there in any- 
thing like its original condition. 
East ALTAR OF STELA 5. 
Provenance: Probably not in situ. Originally may have been associ- 
ated with Stela 1 at the Main Structure. Now 1 
kilometer west of the Main Structure in front of the 
east face of Stela 5 at Group 8. (See plate 3.) 
Date: g.11.15.0.0 4Ahau 13 Mol.! 
Text, drawing: plate 20, b, and figures 28 and 29. 
References: Morley, 1917¢, p. 287. 
Spinden, 1913, p. 161 and table 1. 
1 For other monuments recording this same hotun-ending, see Appendix VIII. 
