OTHER CITIES OF THE OLD EMPIRE. 437 
During the Middle Period the occupation of the southern Maya field 
went steadily forward; Palenque (9.10.10.0.0), Yaxchilan (9.11.3.10.13), 
and Tzendales (9.13.0.0.0) were founded in the west; Yaxha (9.11.5.0.0) in 
the north; Itsimte (9.14.0.0.0) (?) inthe center, and Quirigua (9.14.13.4.17) 
in the south; and by the end of the period almost all the larger cities had 
probably been founded, except perhaps Seibal, which, on the basis of its 
monuments, appears to have been the last big city established in the south. 
Even Nakum, the earliest sure date at which is 9.17.0.0.0, was almost 
certainly founded as early as the Middle Period. This is a very large site 
belonging to Class 2 in the writer’s classification of the Old Empire cities 
(see p. 441), and in addition to its 3 sculptured stele has 12 plain ones.' 
Perhaps, as suggested for Tikal, the hotun-endings at Nakum were marked 
by plain stele which were painted, thus carrying the monumental sequence 
back 3 katuns before 9.17.0.0.0 and into the Middle Period. ‘Tozzer’s map’ 
shows that the city was extensive, and the number of temples there indicates 
a date of foundation considerably prior to 9.17.0.0.0. In figure 69, on the 
assumption that the 12 plain stele were either lahuntun or katun-markers 
like the carved ones, and that they marked the 12 katun and lahuntun- 
endings previous to 9.17.0.0.0, a possible foundation date of 9.11.0.0.0 is 
suggested for Nakum; or 9.14.0.0.0 if they marked the lahuntuns and katuns 
prior to 10.1.0.0.0, the latest date known there. 
One other city of the Middle Period requires some further comment, 
namely, Palenque. ‘This important site, perhaps better known than any 
other center of the Old Empire, with the possible exception of Copan, is the 
only one where the chronology and art criteria are apparently contradictory. 
Spinden maintains that on the basis of the architectural remains, as well as 
the stylistic criteria, particularly that presented by the stucco-work, Palen- 
que is very late, in all probability being occupied after 9.18.0.0.0.* On the 
other hand, the latest apparently contemporaneous date yet found there is 
9.13.0.0.0, on the tablets in the Temples of the Inscription, and the Foliated 
Cross, and on the stela in front of the Temple of the Cross; and, so far as the 
chronologic side is concerned, the evidence is indisputable that the tablets in 
these two temples were dedicated in 9.13.0.0.0, although the possibility 
remains that originally they may have been parts of earlier buildings than 
those in which they are now found. 
Spinden believes the stucco-work in particular is late, 7.¢., after 
g.18.0.0.0. It is especially unfortunate, therefore, that the only two Initial 
Series in stucco known at Palenque, one on the left pier of the facade of the 
Temple of the Sun and the other on the back wall of the outer chamber of the 
Temple of the Beau-relief, should both be almost entirely destroyed and 
impossible of decipherment. 
The writer believes it is possible, even probable, that Palenque may 
have been occupied down to g.18.0.0.0 or thereabouts, though hardly any 

1 Tozzer, 1913, pp. 162, 163. 2 [bid.,.plates 32 and 33. 3 Spinden, 1917¢, p. 177. 
