Aids to the Study of the Maya Codices Part 12

Adding the difference, 2, 0, 8, 0, to the third column, Plate 71, thus:

10 2 4 0 2 0 8 0 -- -- -- -- 12 2 12 0

we obtain the red numerals inserted in the third column. It is probable that the original or some subsequent scribe, observing an error at this point, inserted these figures as a correction. If so, he failed to remedy the confusion apparent in this portion of the series. The sum of the entire series is 303 years (360 days each) and six months, equal to 420 cycles of 260 days.

I am strongly inclined to believe that this section and also pages 24 and 59 are interpolations by some aboriginal artist of a mathematical turn and advanced ability in this direction, who has given these high series more as curiosities than with reference to any specific dates or periods of time.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 371. Specimens of ornamental loops from page 72, Dresden Codex.]

Commencing in the sixth column of Plate 71_a_ and running through 72_a_ to the second column of 73_a_, is a numeral series which presents some peculiarities that baffle all attempts at explanation. Contrary to the rule which prevails in these pages it ascends from left to right and has no day symbols connected with it. In addition to this, the numbers of its lowest line are inclosed in loops of the form here shown (Fig. 371) and have no apparent connection with the other lines of the series, but, on the contrary, if taken from right to left, they present in the order usually given the numbers of the ahaues or katunes.[337-1] It is as follows:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 5 8 10 13 16 0 3 6 9 11 14 17 II.

14 8 2 16 10 4 18 12 6 0 14 7(?) 2 XIV ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

The last (thirteenth) column of this series is not in a line with the others, but is found in the lower part of the right hand column of Plate 73, and in connection with it we find the red numerals II and XIV, denoting the difference between the columns, as is apparent from the additions here given:

Years. Months. Days.

2 14 First or left hand column.

2 14 -- -- 5 8 Second column.

2 14 -- -- 8 2 Third column.

2 14 -- -- 10 16 Fourth column.

2 14 -- -- 13 10 Fifth column.

2 14 -- -- 16 4 Sixth column[TN-8]

2 14 -- -- 1 0 18 Seventh column.

2 14 -- -- -- 1 3 12 Eighth column.

2 14 -- -- -- 1 6 6 Ninth column.

2 14 -- -- -- 1 9 0 Tenth column.

2 14 -- -- -- 1 11 14 Eleventh column.

2 14 -- -- -- 1 14 8[338-1] Twelfth column.[TN-9]

2 14 -- -- -- 1 17 2 Thirteenth column.

FOOTNOTES:

[261-1] The work here referred to is ent.i.tled Die Mayahandschrift der Koniglichen offentlichen Bibliothek zu Dresden, herausgegeben von Prof.

Dr. E. Forstemann, Hofrat und Oberbibliothekar. It contains, besides the chromolithographs of the 74 plates, an introduction published at Leipzig, 1880, 4^o.

[269-1] A Study of the Ma.n.u.script Troano, by Cyrus Thomas, pp. 7-15.

[272-1] This method will be adopted throughout this paper where figures containing numerals are introduced.

[273-1] In the representations of lines and columns of the codex Roman numbers are necessarily used to distinguish the cla.s.s of numerals, yet in the text, as in this case, the Arabic numbers will be used as most convenient.

[273-2] Strictly speaking, the interval between 11 Men and 13 Oc is fourteen days, but throughout this paper, by "_interval between_" two days, is to be understood the number of days to be counted _from_ one _to and including_ the other. The one counted from is always _excluded_ and the one reached or with which the interval terminates is always _included_.

[273-3] Science, p. 459, April 11, 1884.

[277-1] Throughout this paper when the words "figure" and "character" are used in reference to what appears in the codex, they are to be understood as follows: "figure" refers to the picture, as of a person, animal, or other object in the s.p.a.ces; "character" refers to the hieroglyphics or written symbols.

[278-1] Study of the Ma.n.u.script Troano, by Cyrus Thomas, Chapters II and VII.

[278-2] Erlauterungen zur Mayahandschrift, p. 2.

[280-1] Erlauterungen zur Mayahandschrift, p. 16.

[280-2] Bureau of Eth., Third Ann. Rep., pp. 16 et seq.

[282-1] Study of the Ma.n.u.script Troano, by Cyrus Thomas, pp. 15, 16.

[282-2] Dechiffrement des ecritures calculiformes ou Mayas, par M. le C^te H. de Charency, Alencon, 1849; also, Melanges, pp. 185-195.

[283-1] For an explanation of the principle upon which these day columns were formed, see "Notes on certain Maya and Mexican ma.n.u.scripts," by Cyrus Thomas, published in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology.

[290-1] The symbol for this day in Kingsborough resembles Lamat, but the photographic copy makes it Ix, as it should be.

[290-2] Forstemann, Erlauterungen zur Mayahandschrift, p. 42.

[291-1] Erlauterungen zur Mayahandschrift, p. 36.

[292-1] Erlauterungen zur Mayahandschrift, p. 60.

[293-1] Erlauterungen zur Mayahandschrift, p. 56.

[296-1] The bottom lines are selected because they are less injured in the codex than the top lines, which are in most cases entirely obliterated.

[300-1] 3 days in ms., should be 4.

[317-1] The third symbol in the last day column of Plate 51_b_ is Been in the codex; but this is an evident mistake, as shown by the order of the days, since Ahau, which has been subst.i.tuted above, always follows Cauac.

This may be seen by reference to the middle column of 57_b_.

[319-1] This is one of the exceptional cases.

[321-1] Second exception.

[321-2] Third exception.

[323-1] One line has been omitted in the numeral symbol.

[323-2] Here we have again the added day.

[324-1] The 8 at this point in the codex is an evident error.

[324-2] Here is also an error in the original, this being 10.

[324-3] The symbols require an additional day here.

[324-4] The 8 in the year line in the original is a manifest error, as 6 precedes and 7 follows.