INSCRIPTIONS OF THE GREAT PERIOD. 375 
the better reading, as it is only 19 days earlier than Stela D in the Great 
Plaza. It should be noted, however, that the second is almost equally if not 
quite as probable. 
The plain to the south and southwest of the Main Structure is filled 
with the remains of stone buildings. Near Altar G’ were found several large 
human and grotesque heads, apparently parts of some facade decoration. 
This altar was probably associated with one of the temples in its immediate 
vicinity, of which there must have been several. 
ALTAR N’. 
Provenance: Found in 1915, due west of Mound 7 at the Main 
Structure, and just outside the wall built by the 
Peabody Museum around the Main Structure. (See 
plate 6.) 
Date: The Great Period. 
Text, drawing: plate 26, h. 
Altar N’ was found in 1915, 61 meters due west of Mound 7 at the Main 
Structure and just outside of the wall built by the Peabody Museum. It 
was not far distant from Mound 49, with which it originally may have been 
correlated. It is a rectangular block of stone 46 cm. high and 37 cm. by 58 
cm. at the bottom, and 32 cm. by 29 cm. at the top. The base is 23 cm. high, 
then comes a ledge cut back 1.5 cm., and then the upper half, also 23 cm. 
high. (See plate 26, h.) This offset gives a solid appearance to the altar not 
achievable in a simple rectangular block, and considerably enhances its 
artistic effect. 
Only the upper half is sculptured. On the front (one of the longer sides) 
is a delicately executed human figure 19 cm. high and 13 cm. wide. The 
head is grotesque and bears some resemblance to the uinal head. The oppo- 
site side or back is plain, the surface being neatly dressed. 
On each of the two shorter sides is a panel of 2 glyph-blocks or 4 for the 
altar. Although all are fairly clear, none appear to record a date. The first 
glyph, ai, has an ending prefix with a bar-and-dot 9 above the main sign, 
which is effaced. Could this have been Cycle 9? (See plate 26,h.) A2 is the 
head of God C, identified by Schellhas as the North Star or possibly Ursa 
Major. The first glyph on the opposite side, B1, is the day-sign Ahau with 
the same ending-prefix as in Al, but without any coefficient. The last glyph, 
B2, is undecipherable. Eventually, if a1 and Bi can be deciphered, it may 
be possible to date this altar, but at present the record is so elliptical, par- 
ticularly B1,it is impossible to even hazard a guess as to where it belongs, 
except that from its style and execution it may be referred with certainty 
to the Great Period. 
ALTARS Le. 
Provenance: Found in 1916, 0.5 kilometer southwest of the village on 
the edge of a terrace above the flood-plain of the river 
(Group 10). (See plate 3.) 
Date: The Great Period. 
Text, drawing: figure 55. 
