INSCRIPTIONS OF THE GREAT PERIOD. 385 
This site is located on the west side of the Chamelecon River, just below 
the Hacienda of Los Higos, from which it takes its name, not more than 200 
meters back from the river-bank. The city was built just where the ground 
begins to rise from the flood-plain, and its long axis runs north and south. 
Behind the city to the west is a rocky hill and cliff which probably supplied 
the building material. 
Approaching from the east or river side over a low platform (W,, fig. 61),! 
one climbs a terrace 3 meters high, along the eastern edge of which there 
is a range of low mounds, 8, T, U, and V. Behind these and some 7 or 8 
meters higher is a second range of fallen buildings, C, D, E, F, and G. North 
of G this third terrace turns to the west and defines the north end of the site. 
Behind this second range of buildings is the Great Plaza, dominated by 
the principal temple, H, which surmounts a pyramid Io or 12 meters high. 
This had stairways on all four sides, but the temple itself faced toward the 
river, 7.¢., west. In the court on the north side of this temple lies Stela 1, 
the only inscription yet found at this site. (See fig. 62.) A torso and 
head (in two pieces) and two small plain altars were found at a, b, and c, 
respectively, figure 61. 
Interest here centers in the stela, which, although badly broken and 
part missing, is a fine example of Maya art during the Great Period, from 
the zenith of which it dates. 
The present height of the several fragments recovered is 1.6 meters, and 
probably another quarter to halfa 
meter is still missing. Itis 43 cm. 
wide and 36cm. thick. The front 
is sculptured with a human figure 
which very closely resembles that 
on Stela B at Copan, both having 
the same kind of turban head- 
dress. (See fig. 62, a and c.) 
The back and sides are inscribed 
with glyphs, on the basis of which | 
arrangement it is to be assigned 
to Class 4 of the Copan stele. 
The inscription, which is 
beautifully clear, opens with an 
Initial Series introducing glyph 
at Al-B2 (fig. 62, b), followed by 
the corresponding Initial Series 
at A3-B5, B9 (f). This records 
the date 9.17.10.7.0 9 Ahau (3 
zec) as follows. Fic. 62.—Inscription on Stela 1 at Los Higos: a, c, sides; b, back. 
Ox. 
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1The map of Los Higos shown in figure 61 was made by Mr. John Held, Jr. 
