244 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
Another consideration also supports the selection of 1 as the katun 
coefficient in pb. The use of 2 or 3 gives rise to impossible values for the 
terminal date actually recorded in s, viz: 
9.5.19. 3.0 8 Ahau3 Zotz, or 9.5.19. 3.0 8 Ahau 3 Zotz 
oe Oy yh! 36 °S:15-0 
9.8. 5.0.8 6 Lamat 6 Mol, 9.9. 5. 0.8 4 Lamat 6 Zip 
In the first case, although the day coefficient might possibly be 6, the 
month-sign can not be Mol, and in the second case, the day coefficient can 
not be 4 and the month-sign can not be Zip. More important than either 

Fic. 39.—Venus variants of the day-sign Lamat from: a, Palenque, Palace, 
Stairway of House C; 2, Copan, Stela J; c, Hieroglyphic Steps of 
Mound 2; d, Stela 23; e¢, fragment Hieroglyphic Stairway; f, Hier- 
oglyphic Stairway, Date 2; g, Hieroglyphic Stairway, Date 3; 
h, Hieroglyphic Stairway, Date 24. 
of these considerations, however, is the fact that the next step (E) opens with 
the Initial Series 9.7.5.0.8 8 Lamat 6 Mac, 7. e., Date 3, which is identical 
with the above reading of Date 2. 
Date 3.! 
The fifth step (EF) opens with an Initial Series just below the one on 
Step D. Although this is much damaged, the reading suggested is probably 
correct. The Initial Series introducing glyph and 9 cycles are clear at a and 
Ba respectively. The katun coefficient, Bb, always the most important factor 
in deciphering dates, is equally clear as 7 OAc . The tun coefficient, ca, 
is entirely effaced. The uinal coefficient, cb, is doubtful, ¢x=r> 
the best reading being o. The kin coefficient in pa is entirely gone. ““ *?): 
Fortunately, the day-sign in pb is very clearly Lamat (note the Venus-sign 
in the ear-ornament in figure 38, b), and therefore the destroyed kin coeffi- 
cient in pa must have been 8. The day-coefficient is either 6, 7, or 8, with 
the best reading as 8. 
Finally, cb is Glyph A of the Supplementary Series and Ha, the month, 
is 6 Mac (see figure 38, b). Collecting these values, we have: 9.7.?.?.8 
6, 7, or 8 Lamat 6 Mac. Referring to Goodman’s tables, it will be found 
that the only places in Katun 7 where all the necessary conditions imposed 



1 Gordon (1902, p. 171) calls this Date 2. 
