The Carnegie Maya IV: Carnegie Institution of Washington Theoretical Approaches to Problems, 1941-1947

No. 120. Memoranda on Some Dates at Palenque

517 N o t e s o f M i d d l e A m e r i c a n A r c h a e o l o g y a n d E t h n o l o g y Carnegie Institution of Washington Division of Historical Research No. 120 August 1954 Memoranda on Some Dates at Palenque J. Eric S. Thompson can hold as a basal position in that cycle is 9.12.18.7.1. Accordingly, the text can be restored: 9.12.19.14.12 5 Eb 5 Kayab (moon age 3C, 11D, A9) 1.7.11 Subtract 9.12.18.7.1 1 Imix 19 Ch’en The discovery of this fragment fully authenticates Berlin’s reading, and shows that he was right in his supposition that there was a period of uniformity at Palenque. Actually, his opinion has been since proved by the discovery of records in the uniform system on the tablet recently discovered by Ruz (Thompson 1952). As in other cases, there is a count backward of less than two tuns to reach the basal date. Only three interpretative glyphs are recorded. I believe that it is possible that the same IS, but this time with a lunar series perhaps not in conformity with the uniform system, may have once been recorded on the two outer pilasters of the Temple of the Sun. AmongthedrawingsofMiguelAngelFernandez in the possession of his heirs (see Fernandez and Berlin 1954) are several of stucco glyphs recovered from the debris at the foot of the north and south pilasters (Fig. 120.1, nos. 2–13), and in that connection I am indebted to Berlin for reminding me that Waldeck’s drawing of the front of the temple (Brasseur de Bourbourg 1860, Pl. 26) shows four of the glyphs of the IS in situ. In a discussion of lunar systems at Palenque, Heinrich Berlin (1943) argued that Palenque had adopted the uniform system of reckoning moons. The evidence was not entirely satisfactory because of the two dates which he used to support his idea: one (Templo Olvidado) fell outside the period of uniformity with an IS 9.10.14.5.10 3 Oc 3 Pop (Berlin 1944), and the other was incomplete. This incomplete record was a fragmentary text found in 1942 by Miguel Angel Fernandez in clearing the substructure of the Temple of the Sun. Berlin suggested that it be restored as 9.12.19.14.12 5 Eb 5 Kayab. In that case, as he pointed out, the lunar date (3C 11D) would conform to the uniform system. Unfortunately, there was the doubt as to whether the 5 ? Kayab which alone survived of the date could be amplified to 9.12.19.14.12 5 Eb 5 Kayab. In the course of a visit to Palenque, as guest of Senor Alberto Ruz and the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia a Historia, in July 1951, I noticed in the archaeological storeroom a fragment of stone with eight glyph blocks on it (Fig. 120.1l), and this fitted to the piece already described and illustrated by Berlin. The first fragment ends with Glyph X4 of the lunar series. The new piece commences with Glyph B, next in sequence in the lunar series, and this is followed by Glyph A9. A distance number of 1.7.11 leads to 1 Imix 19 Ch’en, the juxtaposed glyphs indicating in abbreviated form that this is a basal position in the 819-day cycle. The only position in Baktun 9 which this CR 120.1. Glyphs at Palenque. Memoranda on Some Dates at Palenque 519 The Waldeck drawing illustrates two medallions one above the other, each containing four glyph blocks, but Catherwood’s drawing and Maudslay’s photograph make it clear that there were six glyph blocks in the lower medallion. Waldeck shows an IS introductory glyph (A1-B2) with a youthful face as the variable element, a clear baktun sign with a coefficient which is probably meant to be 9 (A3), and a katun sign with a coefficient which is 12, 13, or 14 (B3). The only glyph in the lower medallion is the tun sign occupying the first glyph block (A4). Waldeck drew it with three bars to the left and then crescent, dot, crescent, dot. Such an arrangement would be most irregular. Luckily, we have Fernandez’ drawing of this glyph (Fig. 120.1, no...