366 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
nately, as in the case of G3, which has an identical glyph-presentation, one 
whole side is almost entirely obliterated; the remaining side however, 1s 
clear. This opens with the date 4 Ahau 13 Ceh in a1, B1, followed by 1 Ahau 
in Aza. Referring to Goodman’s tables, it will be found that this date 
occurred twice in the Great Period—at 9.15.12.5.0 and 9.18.5.0.0. Because 
the latter ends not only a tun of the Long Count, but also a hotun as well, 
it seems to be the better reading here. 
There is, however, one point which may tend to cast some doubt upon 
the accuracy of this reading and indicate the former. This date, 4 Ahau 13 
Ceh, occurs on another monument here at Copan, namely, Altar U, where it 
almost certainly has the earlier value 9.15.12.5.0. Neither reading develops 
any special connection with the day 1 Ahau in a2a, for which no explanation 
can be offered. 
It will appear in the discussion of G, following, that if this earlier read- 
ing is accepted for G., the earlier reading must also be accepted for G,, 
which will involve a serious break in the stylistic sequence of these three 
altars. Furthermore, if the later readings for Altars G, and G, are accepted, 
they will be found to have marked successive hotuns in the Long Count. 
For this latter reason more than any other the writer accepts 9.18.5.0.0 
4 Ahau 13 Ceh as the probable date of Altar G,, admitting at the same time, 
however, that the earlier reading, 9.15.12.5.0 4 Ahau 13 Ceh, is not a remote 
possibility. 
The four glyph-blocks on the other side are almost entirely effaced. 
The last two, cl, D1, are probably a Calendar Round date. If O@O 
so, the day coefficient could only have been 1, 2, or 3, and ee 
probably 1, since a day 1 Ahau is recorded on the other side lit 
at asa. The month coefficient is either 6, 7, or 8. No explanation of this 
date can be offered. 
ALTAR Gi. 
Provenance: In the Great Plaza at the Main Structure, midway be- 
tween Stela F and StelaH. (See plate 6.) 
Date: g.18.10.0.0 10 Ahau 8 Zac'(?). 
Text, (a) photograph: fads 1889-1902, vol. I, plates CoP Sal (Gall ee 
(b) drawing: Ibid., plates 52, b and 114. 
References: Bowditch, 1910, table 29. 
Maudslay, 1889-1902, vol. 1 of text, pp. 49, 69. 
Spinden, 1913, table 1. 
Altar G, is much larger than G; or G., and, moreover, shows a somewhat 
different treatment, more closely resembling that of Altar O. The general 
outline of Altars G, and O is saddle-shaped, that is, with a seat or depression 
on top instead of an arch or hollow below. The subject in each case is a 
double-headed serpent, the heads at the ends rearing themselves higher than 
the body in the middle, thus forming the saddle-shaped depression above 
noted. Altar O has no inscription, but in the center of each side of G, there 
1 For other monuments recording this same hotun-ending, see Appendix VIII. 
