INSCRIPTIONS OF THE GREAT PERIOD. 389 
The 221 independent altars described in this chapter as having in- 
scriptions may be divided into a number of types. The rectangular altars 
of the Early and Middle Periods, although represented by a few simple 
examples (S and V) grow larger and more ornate. Grotesque or death’s 
heads fill first one end (R and Z) and later both ends (B’ and C’). Still 
later, as the altars grow larger, more complicated designs are introduced, 
such as figures seated on glyphs and animal forms (D’, W’, L, U, Q, and T). 
A special development of the rectangular altar is the shaft or square column, 
of which O’, F’, and N’ are examples. The round altars of the Early and 
Middle Periods become less frequent and very much smaller (W, T’, and U’), 
reaching the form of a table with legs as their latest development (G’). 
The most elaborate altars of all, however, are the double-headed 
serpents or monsters with glyph-panels in the coils of their bodies (G3, Gas, 
and G,). The dates of Gp and G, indicate that they are probably the latest 
inscriptions at Copan. The same tendency toward flamboyancy noted in 
the stele of the period is also found in the decoration of the altars, and as the 
end drew near made itself increasingly felt. 
Only one of these 22 altars, the earliest, Altar S, records an Initial 
Series, though a number have hotun-endings as their contemporaneous dates 
1.¢., LZ, G3, Q, W’, W, G., and G,. This may, indeed probably does, indi- 
cate the passing of the function of marking the hotun-endings from the stele 
to the altars. While none of the later stele are hotun-markers, most of the 
later altars are, a distinct reversal of the general practice in earlier times.’ 
But the onward sweep of intellectual and esthetic development was 
driving the Copan sculptor even further afield than the mere diversification 
of earlier and familiar forms. The hieroglyphic step came into fashion, 
both as an exterior and an interior element of architectural decoration.’ 
Three examples of the former have been found at Copan, namely, that on 
Mound 2, the Hieroglyphic Stairway of Mound 26, and the Reviewing- 
stand in the Western Court, and three of the latter, the interior steps of 
Temples 11, 22, and 21a. 
1Altar S Altar V eS Altar G» Altar G’ 
it R G, N’ 
Be U ik (Oy ah 
ee Zé W F’ 1 Wee 
D’ Gs 
2 Earlier examples of this later practice may be the altar of Stela t and the West Altar of Stela 5, commemo- 
rating the katun-ending 9.12.0.0.0, and Altars H’ and I’, commemorating the next katun-ending, 9.13.0.0.0. 
3 The earliest use of the hieroglyphic step or stairway is probably at Palenque, in House C of the Palace group. 
(See plate 1.) The Initial Series on this stairway is 9.8.9.13.0, but this is brought forward into Katun 11, 12, or 13 
by a Secondary Series. The Initial Series on the hieroglyphic stairway at Naranjo commences with an early date, 
g.10.10.0.0, but Secondary Series present in this inscription may bring this date forward, perhaps to Katun 
18 or 19. 
Maler’s glowing account of a hieroglyphic stairway on Structure 5 at Yaxchilan hardly appears justifiable: 
“This hieroglyphic stairway of structure 5 of Yaxchilan is the most magnificent one I have ever seen” (Maler, 
1903, p. 122). In 1914 the writer could hardly satisfy himself that these steps had ever been inscribed with glyphs 
at all. 
The next use of the hieroglyphic step would appear to have been here at Copan in the Hieroglyphic Stairway 
of Mound 26. In 9.16.0.0.0 we find it at Seibal; and the latest occurrence is at Quirigua, in Structure 1, where 
the date 9.19.0.0.0 is recorded, as a Period Ending. 
The custom of inscribing both the risers and treads of steps (see the stairway of House C of the Palace Group 
at Palenque, Maudslay, 1889-1902, vol. 1v, plate 23) never seems to have come into general use. 
