GLYPHS REPRESENTING INITIAL SERIES, SHOWING USE OF BAR AND DOT NUMERALS AND HEAD-VARIANT PERIOD GLYPHS
Turning again to the text (pl. [6], D), the next step (see step 5, p. [151]) is to find the glyphs representing the above terminal date. In this connection it should be remembered that the day part of an Initial-series terminal date usually follows immediately the last period glyph of the number. The glyph in A4, therefore, should record the day reached. Comparing this form with the several day signs in figure [16], it appears that A4 more closely resembles the sign for Eb (fig. [16], s-u) than any of the others, hence the student may accept Eb as the day sign recorded in A4. The 4 dots prefixed to this sign show that the day 4 Eb is here indicated. The month sign, as stated on page [152], usually follows the last glyph of the Supplementary Series; passing over B4, A5, B5, and A6, we reach the latter glyph in B6. Compare the left half of B6 with the forms given in figure [65]. The coefficient 9 or 10 is expressed by a considerably effaced head numeral. Immediately following the month-sign "indicator" is the month sign itself in A7. The student will have little difficulty in tracing its resemblance to the month Yax in figure [19], q, r, although in A7 the Yax element itself appears as the prefix instead of as the superfix, as in q and r, just cited. This difference, however, is immaterial. The month coefficient is quite clearly 10,[[130]] and the whole terminal date recorded will read 4 Eb 10 Yax, which corresponds exactly with the terminal date determined by calculation. We may accept this text, therefore, as recording the Initial-series date 9.12.10.5.12 4 Eb 10 Yax of Maya chronology.
In the foregoing examples nothing but normal-form period glyphs have been presented, in order that the first exercises in deciphering the inscriptions may be as easy as possible. By this time, however, the student should be sufficiently familiar with the normal forms of the period glyphs to be able to recognize them when they are present in the text, and the next Initial Series figured will have its period glyphs expressed by head variants.
In A, plate [7], is figured the Initial Series from Stela B at Copan.[[131]] The introducing glyph appears at the head of the inscription in A1
and is followed by a head-variant glyph in A2, to which is prefixed a bar and dot coefficient of 9. By its position, immediately following the introducing glyph, we are justified in assuming that A2 records 9 cycles, and after comparing it with d-f, figure [25], where the head variant of the cycle sign is shown, this assumption becomes a certainty. Both heads have the same clasped hand in the same position, across the lower part of the face, which, as explained on page [68], is the essential element of the cycle head; therefore, A2 records 9 cycles. The next glyph, A3, should be the katun sign, and a comparison of this form with the head variant for katun in e-h, figure [27], shows this to be the case. The determining characteristic (see p. [69]) is probably the oval in the top of the head, which appears in both of these forms for the katun. The katun coefficient is 15 (3 bars). The next glyph, A4, should record the tuns, and by comparing this form with the head variant for the tun sign in e-g, figure [29], this also is found to be the case. Both heads show the same essential characteristic—the fleshless lower jaw (see p. [70]). The coefficient is 0 (compare fig. [47]). The uinal head in A5 is equally unmistakable. Note the large curl protruding from the back part of the mouth, which was said (p. [71]) to be the essential element of this sign. Compare figure [31], d-f, where the head variant for the uinal is given. The coefficient of A5 is like the coefficient of A4 (0), and we have recorded, therefore, 0 uinals. The closing period glyph of the Initial Series in A6 is the head variant for the kin sign. Compare this form with figure [34], e-g, where the kin head is figured. The determining characteristic of this head is the subfixial element, which appears also in the normal form for the kin sign (see fig. [34], a). Again, the coefficient of A6 is like the coefficient of A4 and A5, hence we have recorded here 0 kins.
The number recorded by the head-variant period glyphs and normal-form numerals in A2-A6 is therefore 9.15.0.0.0; reducing this by means of Table [XIII], we have:
| A2 = | 9 × | 144,000 = | 1,296,000 |
| A3 = | 15 × | 7,200 = | 108,000 |
| A4 = | 0 × | 360 = | 0 |
| A5 = | 0 × | 20 = | 0 |
| A6 = | 0 × | 1 = | 0 |
| ———— | |||
| 1,404,000 | |||
Deducting from this number all the Calendar Rounds possible, 73 (see Table [XVI]), it may be reduced to 18,460. Applying to this number rules 1 and 2 (pp. [139] and [140], respectively), the day reached will be found to be 4 Ahau. Applying rule 3 (p. [141]), the position of 4 Ahau in the year will be found to be 13 Yax. Therefore the terminal date determined by calculation will be 4 Ahau 13 Yax.