INSCRIPTIONS OF THE GREAT PERIOD. 297 
are covered with glyphs, the bottom being plain. There are two large 
glyphs on the top, four smaller ones on each of the long sides, and three 
smaller ones on each of the ends, making 2 + 3 + 4 +3 +4 = 16 for the 
entire text. There is no other decoration. A comparison of Gordon’s 
drawing with the original shows that it is accurate and adequate for all 
purposes of study. Although he calls Altar V a table, “altar” appears to 
the writer to be a better name for it. In size, shape, and treatment it very 
closely resembles Altar S, and would seem to be admirably adapted for use 
in ceremonies in which small offerings were made. 
The two large glyph-blocks on the top are exceedingly clear, and un- 
mistakably record the Calendar Round date 9 Cimi 14 Yaxkin. The 
inscription on the back, 7. ¢., one of the long sides, opens with another Calen- 
dar Round date which is equally clear as 6 Caban to Mol, the month coef- 
ficient being the head-variant for 10. There are no other calendric signs 
in the two remaining glyph-blocks on this side, and on the opposite long side 
all four glyph-blocks are effaced. The inscription on the two ends is par- 
tially effaced, although enough remains to show that there are no calendric 
signs here. 
We have, then, as the net result of our inspection, two Calendar Round 
dates, g Cimi 14 Yaxkin and 6 Caban 10 Mol, but no Secondary Series 
number to connect them, or no Initial Series to fix either in its proper posi- 
tion in the Long Count. One of these, 6 Caban 10 Mol, as already stated, 
is probably the most important date in the history of Copan, first because 
it occurs many times more than any other date not a hotun-ending—eight 
times in ali—and second, because it does not end a tun, hotun, lahuntun, 
or katun of the Long Count, and is therefore probably to be associated with 
some actual historical or astronomical event. 
The first question is, which of these two dates is the earlier? Was the 
count forward from 9 Cimi 14 Yaxkin to 6 Caban 10 Mol, or vice versa? 
By referring to Goodman’s tables it will be found that 6 Caban 10 Mol is 
later than 9 Cimi 14 Yaxkin by 7.2.11 (about 7 years), whereas 9 Cimi 14 
Yaxkin is later than 6 Caban 10 Mol by 2.5.10.9 (about 45 years).! That is 
to say, if 6 Caban 10 Mol is the starting-point, the other date recorded would 
not occur until 45 years later, whereas if 9 Cimi 14 Yaxkin is the starting- 
point, the other date recorded will occur in a little more than 7 years. This, 
together with the fact that 6 Caban 10 Mol is by far the more important 
date of the two, practically proves that it is the later and contemporaneous 
date of the altar. However, even though it be accepted as established that 
1 Since any Maya date recurred at intervals of 52 years, the sum of two numbers, one counted forward from a 
given date x to reach a given date y and the other forward from the same date y to reach the next occurrence of 
date x, must equal 2.12.13.0 or 52 years, as here: 
9.16. 5. 3. 6 9g Cimi 14 Yaxkin 
7. 2.11 (7 years+) 
9.16.12. 5.17. 6 Caban 10 Mol 
2. 5.10.9 (45 years—) 
9.18.17.16. 6 9 Cimi 14 Yaxkin 
