378 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
rock from which it is carved comes up much higher against the left side of 
the toad (facing it) than the right, and here, on the sharply sloping front, a 
column of three glyph-blocks is sculptured. 
These are the only glyphs anywhere about the shrine, and it is indeed 
unfortunate, therefore, that all three should be effaced, since with the loss 
of the inscription in such an unusual monument as this approximate dating 
on stylistic grounds becomes impossible. It is even hazardous to assume 
this shrine dates from the Great Period at all, since, judging from the 
stylistic criteria present, it is well within range of the sculptors of the Middle 
Period. To the right of the toad and slightly in advance is a lower grotesque 
figure, and another of the same kind behind to the right and also lower. 
Next comes a pair of rough unsculptured blocks balancing each other; and 
finally, at the top of the last bench, the highest point of the shrine, and some 
20 meters behind, are several mounds. 
The toad is easily the central figure, and a not inappropriate name for 
this whole cluster of sculptured rocks is that suggested here, “the Shrine 
of the Toad.” Its function, except as an obvious place of sacrifice, as indi- 
cated by the altar in front, can only be conjectured. Possibly the toad 
may have had some connection with the idea of rain, and this shrine may have 
been the place where sacrifices to the rain deity were made. 
The treatment of the head of the toad, even to adventitious details, is 
just like that of the head-variant of the uinal-sign. (Note the three dots in 
the ear in plate 28, d, and compare with the uinal-signs in plate 26, d, p, and 
plate 27, Eb.) Can this possibly indicate that this shrine was consecrated 
to the deity presiding over the uinal, namely, a toad-like god? Making due 
allowance for Maya psychological processes, the latter would appear to be the 
most attractive hypothesis now available. 
Here as the uinals waxed and waned the ancient Maya priests may have 
made the sacrifices appropriate to each of their 20-day periods; at least from 
its unique character and prominent position we can not doubt but that the 
Shrine of the Toad played a not unimportant part in the religious life of the 
ancient city. 
FRAGMENT Z’. 
Provenance: At Group 4, 2.5 kilometers up the valley from the 
Main Structure. (See plate 3.) 
Date: The Great Period. 
Text, drawing: figure 51, bD. 
Fragment Z’ is a small piece of a glyph mosaic 32 cm. high and 17 cm. 
wide from the principal temple at Group 4, 2.5 kilometers up the valley, 
northeast of the Main Structure. (See plate 3.) 
The first bench of hills above the valley floor at this point has been 
leveled off and a number of stone stiuctures built facing the valley. Judg- 
ing from the number of sculptured fragments lying around the principal 
mound, it formerly must have been an important temple. 
