194 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
conclusion of the preceding katun 9.12.0.0.0, on which latter date the altar 
of Stela 1 and the West Altar of Stela 5 were erected. 
Whether a stela was ever associated with Altars H’ and I’ is unknown. 
Perhaps, as already suggested for the altar of Stela 1 and the West Altar 
of Stela 5, the fact that two altars were erected instead of one may have 
served in place of a stela. At least, in view of the similarity between the 
two cases, it seems not unlikely that the end of Katun 12 was commemorated 
by the erection of two round altars—the altar of Stela 1 and the West Altar 
of Stela 5s—and that the end of the succeeding katun, Katun 13, was com- 
memorated by the erection of two rectangular altars—Altars H’ and I’. 
But whether or not stele ever accompanied these two pairs of altars is 
uncertain. The writer is inclined to believe that they did not. 
Whichever date be accepted for Altars H’ and I’, either 9.12.10.0.0, 
or, as the writer believes, 9.13.0.0.0, it is obvious that neither monument 
can be im situ in the Western Court, strictly speaking, since this part of the 
Acropolis probably did not take final form until 9.17.0.0.0, when the review- 
ing-stand at the opposite (7. e., northern) end was dedicated. (See plate 6.) 
It is probable, therefore, that Altars H’ and I’ were removed thither from 
some earlier location, perhaps at the same time Stela P was re-erected here. 
STELA J. 
Provenance: At the southeast corner of Mound 3, at the edge of the 
Great. Plaza, Main Structure. (See plate 6.) 
Date: 9.13.10.0:0 7 Ahau 3 Cumhu.! 
Text, (a) photograph: Maudslay, 1889-1902, vol. 1, plates 66, 67. 
figure 34. 
(b) drawing: | Férstemann, 19044, figure on p. 362. 
Morley, 1915, plate 15. 
Maudslay, 1889-1902, vol. 1, plates 68 to 72. 
Thomas, 1900, plates 43, a and 43, b. 
References: Bowditch, 1910, pp. 117, 118, 136, 243, 247 and tables 29 and 31. 
Férstemann, 19044, pp. 361-363. 
Goodman, 1897, p. 131. 
Gordon, 1896, pp. 24, 34, 35- 
Maudslay, 1889-1902, vol. I of text, pp. 53,54. 
Morley, 1915, pp. 191, 192. 
Spinden, 1913, p. 159 and table 1. 
‘Thomas, 1900, pp. 779-785, 802. 
Stela J stands im situ at the southeastern corner of Mound 3, one of 
the structures rising from the terrace on the eastern side of the Great Plaza. 
It is 2.69 meters high above ground and 1 meter wide at the widest part. 
This monument, apparently discovered and first described by Mauds- 
lay,” is one of the most remarkable in the entire Maya area, and, with the 
single exception of Stela H at Quirigua, differs from all others in the presenta- 
tion of its inscription. All four faces are inscribed with glyphs, the peculiar 
arrangement of which, as well as the unusualness of the subject-matter, 
constitutes the monument’s chief claim to distinction. On this basis it may 
1 For other monuments recording this same hotun-ending, see Appendix VIII. 
2 Maudslay, 1889-1902, vol. 1 of text, pp. 53, 54. 
