294 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
although the contemporaneous date of W’ is almost surely 9.17.5.0.0. (See 
P. 332.) 
The inscription opens on the back at the left with a glyph which may 
easily be identified as 13 Ahau (see figure 45) the day-sign cartouche con- 

Fic. 45.—Calendar Round date on back of Altar D’. 
taining a human figure seated cross-legged. Following this at B and c are 
two human figures in the same posture, the meanings of which are unknown. 
The fourth glyph, p, is the month corresponding to the day in a. This is 
either Chen, Yax, Zac, or Ceh, and is bound to the back of a human figure 
which is the month-sign coefficient. This is almost identical in form and 
presentation with the month-sign and coefficient on Altar W’ (compare 
figures 45 and 46,d, cl); and to a somewhat lesser degree with the corresponding 
glyph on Stela D, as where the full-figure variants are also used. Since the 
day sign is surely Ahau, the month coefficient can only be either 3, 8, 13, or 18. 
A careful examination of the original failed to disclose the presence of a 
fleshless lower jaw, which further reduces the possibilities to 3 or 8, and of 
these, 8 would seem to be the better reading. The turban-like head-dress 
is apparently part of the band holding the month-sign on the figure’s back, 
and is not the characteristic banded head-dress of the head for 3. However, 
3 is a possible, though not the preferable, reading here. 
The superfix of the month-sign is unusual . It bears absolutely 
no resemblance whatever to the superfix either C+ of Yax or of Ceh, both 
of which are always bilaterally symmetrical with reference to the vertical 
axis, though it may be either Chen or Zac, with the latter much the better 
reading. It is almost identical with the superfix of the month-sign on Altar 
W’ (ci, figure 46, d), but unfortunately the month in the latter text is an 
error, and its value can not be checked. (See p. 332.) One thing is certain, 
however, that the month-sign here at p on Altar D’, and at c1 on Altar W’, 
are the same, and the identification of one would lead to the reading of the 
other. ‘The four possible readings of a,p, therefore, are 13 Ahau 3 or 8 Chen 
or Zac, with 13 Ahau 8 Zac as the best. Each of these four possible dates 
occurred but once near the date of the other monuments and temples around 
the Court of the Hieroglyphic Stairway, as follows: 
9.16. 6. 5.0. 13 Ahau 3 Chen 
9.16.18.10.0 13 Ahau 3 Zac 
9.16. 1. 4.0 13 Ahau 8 Chen 
9.16.13. 9.0 13 Ahau 8 Zac 
