Fig. 68. Initial Series showing bar and dot numerals and head-variant period glyphs: A, Stela C (west side), Quirigua; B, Stela M, Copan.
In figure [68], A, is figured the Initial Series on the west side of Stela C at Quirigua.[[142]] The introducing glyph in A1-B2 is followed by the number in A3-A5, which the student will have no difficulty in reading except for the head-variant numeral attached to the kin sign in A5. The clasped hand in this glyph, however, suggests that 0 kins are recorded here, and a comparison of this form with figure [53], s-w, confirms the suggestion. The number therefore reads 9.1.0.0.0. Reducing this number by means of Table [XIII] to units of the 1st order, we obtain:
| A3 = | 9 × | 144,000 = | 1,296,000 |
| B3 = | 1 × | 7,200 = | 7,200 |
| A4 = | 0 × | 360 = | 0 |
| B4 = | 0 × | 20 = | 0 |
| A5 = | 0 × | 1 = | 0 |
| ———— | |||
| 1,303,200 | |||
Deducting from this number all the Calendar Rounds possible, 68 (see Table [XVI]), and applying rules 1, 2, and 3 (pp. [139], [140], and [141], respectively) to the remainder, we reach for the terminal date 6 Ahau 13 Yaxkin. Looking for the day part of this date in B5, we find that the form there recorded bears no resemblance to 6 Ahau, the day determined by calculation. Moreover, comparison of it with the day signs in figure [16] shows that it is unlike all of them; further, there is
no bar and dot coefficient. These several points indicate that the day sign is not the glyph in B5, also that the day sign is, therefore, out of its regular position. The next glyph in the text, A6, instead of being one of the Supplementary Series is the day glyph 6 Ahau, which should have been recorded in B5. The student will readily make the same identification after comparing A6 with figure [16], e'-g'. A glance at the remainder of the text, will show that no Supplementary Series is recorded, and consequently that the month glyph will be found immediately following the day glyph in B6. The form in B6 has a coefficient 13, one of the four (3, 8, 13, 18) which the month must have, since the day sign is Ahau (see Table [VII]). A comparison of the form in B6 with the month signs in figure [19] shows that the month Yaxkin in k or l is the form here recorded; therefore the terminal date recorded agrees with the terminal date reached by calculation, and the text reads 9.1.0.0.0 6 Ahau 13 Yaxkin.[[143]]
In figure [68], B, is shown the Initial Series on Stela M at Copan.[[144]] The introducing glyph appears in A1 and the Initial-series number in B1a-B2a. The student will note the use of both normal-form and head-variant period glyphs in this text, the cycle, tun, and uinal in B1a, A2a, and A2b, respectively, being expressed by the latter, and the katun and kin in B1b and B2a, respectively, by the former. The number recorded is 9.16.5.0.0, and this reduces to units of the first order, as follows (see Table [XIII]):
| B1a = | 9 × | 144,000 = | 1,296,000 |
| B1b = | 16 × | 7,200 = | 115,200 |
| A2a = | 5 × | 360 = | 1,800 |
| A2b = | 0 × | 20 = | 0 |
| B2a = | 0 × | 1 = | 0 |
| ———— | |||
| 1,413,000 | |||
Deducting from this number all the Calendar Rounds possible, 74 (see Table [XVI]), and applying rules 1, 2, and 3 (pp. [139], [140], and [141], respectively) to the remainder, the terminal date reached by the resulting calculations will be 8 Ahau 8 Zotz. Turning to our text, the student will have no difficulty in recognizing in B2b the day 8 Ahau. The month glyph in this inscription irregularly follows immediately
the day glyph. Compare the form in A3a with the month signs in figure [19] and it will be found to be the sign for Zotz (see fig. [19], e-f). The coefficient is 8 and the whole glyph represents the month part 8 Zotz, the same as determined by calculation. This whole Initial Series reads 9.16.5.0.0 8 Ahau 8 Zotz.
The Maya texts presented up to this point have all been drawings of originals, which are somewhat easier to make out than either photographs of the originals or the originals themselves. However, in order to familiarize the student with photographic reproductions of Maya texts a few will be inserted here illustrating the use of bar and dot numerals with both normal-form and head-variant period glyphs, with which the student should be perfectly familiar by this time.