2621406A Study of the Manuscript Troano — Chapter 71882Cyrus Thomas

CHAPTER VII.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE DAY COLUMNS AND NUMBERS IN THE FIRST PART OF THE MANUSCRIPT.

In order that as much of the material contained in this Manuscript as can be given without fac-simile representations may be placed before the reader, I will now give the names of the days as found in the day columns of some of the plates; this will enable him to test my interpretation of the numerals. As my object in doing this is to give an opportunity to all into whose hands this paper may fall to test the correctness of the theories I have advanced, I will give the different divisions of the plates, each with its own days and numbers. It is to be understood that where there is more than one division on a plate, as is usually the case, they will be numbered consecutively from the top downward, first, second, third, &c. In giving the numerals, the Roman represent the red or day numerals, the Arabic the black or month numbers. The red numerals usually found over the day columns will also be placed over them here. Those in the spaces will also be given in the spaces here, and by pairs as in the Manuscript. In the first example a few explanatory words will be placed in parentheses; afterwards these will be omitted.

Plates I-XIX all contain three divisions, separated from each other by broad, transverse red or brown lines. It is therefore to be understood, when no special mention is made of the number of the divisions, that there are three on each plate. The upper or top division I will designate as the first, the middle as the second, and the bottom as the third. These divisions are again divided into compartments, usually differing in the color of the ground, which is white, reddish-brown, or blue. In some cases the subject-matter of a division is continued into the second or even the third plate. These do not follow each other in the usual order of pages. Where it extends over upon the next page or plate, it is always to be understood that the one which precedes is to have its left margin placed to the right margin of that which follows, and that the day column at the left of a division refers to all that stand to the right of it, when thus placed, until another day column is reached. In order to make this clear, let me illustrate by an example. On the middle division of Plate V we find a day column with two figures to the right of it. Turning to Plate IV, we find other figures of a similar character, but no day column. By placing the latter (Plate IV) so that its left margin joins to the right margin of the former (Plate V), we have a continuous series of figures of a similar character. The day column, therefore, on the latter plate, relates to all on the right until we reach the next day column, which will be found in this case on the left margin of Plate III, as in the annexed diagram.

In this illustration the letters represent the days and the position of the day columns. That this is the proper position of these plates in reference to each other may be seen by referring to Plates XXX and XXXI, where the head of the bird in the third division of Plate XXXI—there are four divisions in this case—is on the right margin and the tail on the left margin of Plate XXX[1] On Plates XXX* and XXIX* the head of the black figure is at the right margin of the upper division of the former, while the body and feet are in the left margin of the upper division of the latter. This explanation will be sufficient to make clear what may hereafter be said in reference to the subject-matter of the division of one plate extending over upon the corresponding division of another.

Plate I.

The day characters on this plate, if there were any, are wholly obliterated.

Plate II.

I give below (Fig. 99) an illustration of the day and numeral characters Fig. 99. second division of this plate. The black numerals, or those for the month are given here in solid black, the red or day numerals in outline. As the first character in the left column is an unusual one, and the first of the right column is too much obliterated to be determined by inspection, we must ascertain them by means of the intervals.

The third in the left column is certainly Chuen and the fourth Akbal—this gives an interval of twelve days; those of the right column are Been, Chicchan, Caban, and Muluc, the interval being in each case twelve days. This gives for the left column Manik, Cauac, Chuen, Akbal, and Men. The Cauac character, if such it be, is a very unusual one, being identical with that for Men.[2] The first character in the right column is that for Ymix.

Plate III.

FIRST DIVISION.

Manik. XI-5. VI-5.
Cauac. VI-5. IX-11
Chuen. VIII-5. IV-3.
Akbal. X-10.
Men.

SECOND DIVISION.

IV. IV.
Akbal. Ben. I-10.
Muluc. Cauac. X- 9.
Men. Chicchan. IV- 7.
Ymix. Chuen.
Manik Caban.

THIRD DIVISION.

Day column obliterated.

Plate IV.

The first division of this plate is rather an unusual one in regard to the days and numbers. The days are as follows:

FIRST DIVISION.

Ahau.
Oc. X-9.
Eb. (?)-7.
Ik.
Kan.
Ix.
Cib.
Cimi.
Lamat.

We observe that only three of the regular numbers remain; but in addition to these there are small red characters representing the following numbers (?) I,XII, I,XII, I,XII, I,XII,I,XII.

SECOND DIVISION.

The second division commences on Plate V, and includes all of the Fig. 100. second division of that plate. The characters are as represented in the annexed cut (Fig. 100): The days are Kan, Cib, Lamat, Ahau, Eb; the dates, 4th day, 13th and 11th months; 1st day, 13th month; 9th day, 11th month; and 8th day, 13th month.

THIRD DIVISION.

XII.
Cauac. VI-6.
Chuen. VI-6.
Akbal. VI-7.
Men. VI-7.
Manik. XIII-7.
XIII-7.

Plate V.

FIRST DIVISION.

The first division of this plate contains two compartments. The first has the numeral IV over the day column. The days are Caban, Muluc, Ymix, Been Chicchan. The numbers in the space are I-10, X-10.

The second compartment is found partly on Plate V and partly on Plate IV, and is similar to the first division of Plate IV. The days are Cauac, Muluc, Chuen, Ymix, Akbal, Been, Men, Chicchan, Manik. The only regular number unobliterated is the black numeral 13 in the space. The following are the small red numerals: XIII, XI, XIII, XI, XIII (?), XIII, XI, XIII. White cross-bones on a black ground are in this space.

SECOND DIVISION.

The second division of this plate runs over on Plate IV, and has been illustrated and described as belonging to that plate.

THIRD DIVISION.

The day characters in the third division are wholly obliterated.

Plate VI.

FIRST DIVISION.

IV(?).
Ahau. (?)-10.
Eb. XI-10.
Kan. IV-12.
Cib. (?)-10.
Lamat. IX-10.

SECOND DIVISION.

XII.
Caban. XIII-13.
Ik. XIII-13.
Manik. XII-13.
Eb. XIII-13.
Caban. XIII-13.

THIRD DIVISION.

IV. IV.
Ahau. Oc. X-6.
Cimi. Cib. I 4.
Eb. Ik.
Ezanab. Lamat.
Kan. Ix.

Plate VII.

FIRST DIVISION.

The characters and numerals being partially obliterated in the first division of this plate, it is omitted.

SECOND DIVISION.

XII. XIII -13.
I. I
Chuen. XXII -13.
Cib. I
Ymix. XII -13.
Cimi. I
Chuen. XII -13.
I


This section (second) of Plate VII contains some peculiarities in the day symbols and numeral characters. For example, the day (red) numerals are given thus, the first signifying two numbers, XIII and I; the second XII and I.

The symbol for Cimi is also peculiar and is in this form . The numbers over the column are XII and I.

THIRD DIVISION.

Day characters on Plate VIII.

Plate VIII.

FIRST DIVISION.

(?) (?)
Kan. Ix. XIII- 1. VI-4.
Oc. Ahau. XII- 11.
Cib. Cimi. I- 4
Ik. Eb. X- 4.
Lamat. Ezanab. II- 2.

SECOND DIVISION.

VII. VII.
Ahau. Cimi. XIII-1.
Eb. Ezanab. I-1.
Kan. Oc. XII-5.
Cib. Ik. IV-3.
Lamat. Ix. VII-13.
VII-3.

LEFT SECTION OF THIRD DIVISION.

XII. XII.
Cimi. Ahau. II-2. X-10.
Ezanab. Eb. VII-5. XII-12(?).
Oc. Kan. XIII-3.
Ik. Cib. X-11.
Ix. Lamat. XII-2(?).

RIGHT SECTION OF THIRD DIVISION.

I.
Ahau. X-10.
Eb. IX-10.
Kan. V-10.
Cib. 11-10.
Lamat. Ⓘ-10.
Ahau.

Part of this section runs over on Plate VII.

The figures in this division, which are all blue, are each seated on a large compound character, under one of the pairs of numerals above given, and pertaining to it as shown by the lines dividing these minor spaces. In the character on which each figure is seated there are, first, an Ahau of the usual size and form, to which is joined a black numeral; then several small Chuen symbols. The numeral over the Ahau belonging to the day numbered I, as given above, is 9; that belonging to the day numbered II is 10; that belonging to the day numbered V is 11. The lists of day characters on this plate as given by M. de Charency, differ from the foregoing only in having Ix for the first day of the left column of the upper division, and Kan for the first day of the right column of the same division. These two days are obliterated in the Manuscript and hence have to be restored, which can only be done by counting the intervals.[3]

The interval between the days in these two columns, as may be seen by counting, is six days. This gives Kan as the first of the left-hand column and Ix as the first of the right-hand; hence I conclude that this author is wrong in his restoration, or has made a mistake in transcribing. Following out his plan, we would have an interval of sixteen days between Ix and Oc in the first column and of six between each of the others, and a like discrepancy in the other column. But I think it is evident, from what he says on page 30 of the same work, that he has unintentionally reversed these two days, as it is not sixteen days from Kan to Oc, as he says, but six. If we substitute Ix for Kan and Kan for Ix, we find all his numbers correct, except that it is only ten days from Lamat to Ezanab, instead of sixteen, as he states.

Plate IX.

FIRST DIVISION

X(?).
Men. VII-(?) The death symbol is found in this space occu-
Manik. Ⓘ-(?) pying the place of one number of this pair.
Cauac. II-1
Chuen. VI-4
Akbal. XIII-7.

SECOND DIVISION.

IV. IV.
Cimi. Ahau. V-1. VIII-4.
Ezanab. Eb. XIII-3. X-3.
Ik. Kan. VII-2. I-9.
Oc. Cib. II-2.
Ix. Lamat. IV-3.

THIRD DIVISION.

X. X.
Ezanab. Lamat. XII-2. VII-3.
Kan. Ix. X-3. I-5.
OC. Ahau. IX-2. VII-(?)
Cib. Cimi. II-3.
Ik. Eb. III-2.

Plate X.

FIRST DIVISION.

There are no day characters in this division.

SECOND DIVISION.

V. V.
Oc. Ahau. VII-2
Cib. Cimi. V-9.
Ik. Eb. IX-2.
Lamat. Ezanab IV-8.
Ix. Kan. V-4.

THIRD DIVISION.

VII. VII.
Cib. Cimi. IX-2.
Ik. Eb. VII-12.
Lamat. Ezanab. X-1.
Ix. Kan. XIII-3.
Ahau. Oc. VIII-  

Plate XI.

FIRST DIVISION.

IV.
Ezanab.
Oc. I-10.
Ik. -8.
Ix.
Cimi.

SECOND DIVISION.

Oc. Ahau. II-1. XIII-2.
Cib. Cimi. Ⓘ-9. X-5.
Ik. Eb. IV-4.
Lamat. Ezanab. IV-2.
Ix. Kan. VI-2.

THIRD DIVISION.

IV. IV.
Oc. Ahau. V-1. IV-2.
Cib. Cimi. IV-9.
Ik. Eb. VII-2.
Lamat. Ezanab. IX-4.
Ix. Kan. XIII-6.

Plate XII.

FIRST DIVISION.

X.
Men. Ⓘ-5. II- 6.
Ahau XIII-11. IX-13.
Chiccan. IX- 9. IX- 8.
Oc. XIII- 4.
Men. IX- 9.

SECOND DIVISION.

XII. XII.
Ix. Ahau. XIII- 1. IX-2.
Cimi. Eb. XII- 2. XII-3.
Ik. Kan. X-11.
Ezanab. Cib. III- 3.
Oc. Lamat. VII- 3.

THIRD DIVISION.

I.
Cimi. VII-4. XIII-3.
Ezanab. Ⓘ-17. X-10
Oc. IV-7.
Ik. X-2.
Ix. X-3.

The lists of days on this plate, as given by Charency, agree with those here given, only in the middle division. Those of the first and third divisions, as given by him, are as follows:

FIRST DIVISION. THIRD DIVISION.
Men. Cimi.
Ahau. Ezanab.
Oc. Eb.
Men. Ik.
Men. Cib.

Some of the characters on this plate are of a form found here only. The character for Oc in both divisions is unusual, an eye being inserted which throws back the broken line as shown in the annexed figure.

The character for Chicchan in the first division is somewhat different from the usual form, as will be seen by the figure here given.

So far as the list in the first division is concerned, there can be no doubt that the first and last characters represent Men. This would of itself require an interval of five days between each two, if uniform throughout.

Counting from Men to Ahau, we have an interval of five days; five more gives us Chicchan, five more Oc, and five more Men, as it should be.

Now turning to the third division of this plate, we find that the interval between Cimi and Ezanab is twelve days; twelve more will give Oc. twelve more Ik, and twelve more Ix, which makes the days and the order precisely like that of the right-hand column of the middle division of Plate VIII as given by both Charency and myself, and regarding which there can be no doubt.

The reader will see that Charency's arrangement of this third division (Plate XII) gives twelve days for the first interval, fourteen for the second, ten for the third, and fourteen for the last.

The character for Ix in this division is an unusual one, being as here represented.

Plate XIII

FIRST DIVISION.

III. III.
Kan. Lamat. II-2. XIII-2.
Oc. Ix. III-9. XI-2.
Cib. Cimi. V-2.
Ahau. Eb. X(?)-4.
Ik. Ezanab. VII-5.

SECOND DIVISION.

XIII. XIII.
Cib. Oc. V-1. X-3.
Kan. Ik. XIII-9. VII-2.
Lamat. Ix. III-1.
Ahau. Cimi. II-5.
Eb(?). Ezanab. IV-4.

THIRD DIVISION.

X. X.
Oc. Ahau. III- 3. XIII-3.
Cib. Cimi X-10.
Ik. Eb. VII- 4.
Lamat. Ezanab. X- 2.
Ix. Kan. XI- 4.

The character for Cimi is similar to that in the middle division of Plate VII.

Plates XIV and XV are so badly damaged that the numerals and day characters cannot be satisfactorily made out.

Plates XVI and XVII.

All the divisions of Plate XVII extend over and occupy the whole of Plate XVI.

FIRST DIVISION.

IV.
Ahau. VIII-4. XI-11.
Eb. I-6. VI- 8.
Kan. X-9. IV-11.
Cib. XIII-3.
Lamat.

SECOND DIVISION.

I.
Caban. IX- 8. 11-12.
Muluc. III- 7. -4.
Ymix. XIII-10.
Been. V-(?).
Chicchan. X-6.

THIRD DIVISION.

XII.
Chicchan. Ill- 4. VIII-10.
Caban. VIII- 5. XII- 5.
Muluc. II- 8.
Ymix. X-(?).
Been(?). X-13.

Plate XVIII.

The column of day characters belonging to the first division of this plate is found in the first division of Plate XIX.

SECOND DIVISION.

IV. IV.
Cimi. Ahau. III-2. IV-4.
Ezanab. Eb. VIII-5.
Oc. Kan. I-5.
Ik. Cib. XII-5.
Ix. Lamat. IX-5.

THIRD DIVISION.

X.
Ezanab. IV-5. X-6. XI-6.
Oc. Ⓘ-4. IV-3. V-4.
Ik. VIII-4. X-3. VIII-3.
Ix. II-4. V-3. XII-4.
Cimi. Ⓘ-III.

Plate XIX.

The subject-matter of the first division of this plate occupies all the first division of Plate XVIII.

FIRST DIVISION.

IV.
Ahau. II-13.
Eb. II-11.
Kan. XIII-11.
Cib. X-10.
Lamat. IV- 7.

SECOND DIVISION.

The red numerals in this division are doubled, as in the manner heretofore shown.

IX and IV.
Cib. XI and VI-10.
Lamat. VII and II-11.
Ahau. IX and I- 7.
Eb. IX and IV- 2.
Kan.

THIRD DIVISION.

III. III.
Muluc. Cauac. X- 7.
Men. Chicchan. III- 6.
Ymix. Chuen. VI- 3.
Manik. Caban. III-10.
Been. Akbal.

The character in this division interpreted a« Chicchan is an unusual one, being in this form:

The numerals on Plates XXIV and XXV and those in the upper division of Plate XXVI being partially obliterated, we have omitted them.

Plate XXVI.

LOWER DIVISION.

XIII.
Ahau. XIII-13.
Eb. XIII-13.
Kan. XIII-13
Cib. XIII-13.
Lamat

Plate XXVII.

UPPER DIVISION.

XI
Ahau. X-13.
Eb. XI-13.
Kan. XI-13.
Cib. XI-13.
Lamat.

LOWER DIVISION.

IX.
Chuen. XIII (or XIV)-2,
Caban. XI-2.
Akbal. VI-2.
Muluc. IX-3.
Men. VI-10.
Ymix. IV-4.
Manik. IX-3.
Been.
Chicchan.
Cauac.

We find in the day column of this division a rather unusual character for Chicchan, which is here shown . As the day column entirely fills the space the numeral character which should be placed at the top is put at the side of the first day character. The first red numeral is as follows: . The right-hand dot in the original is imperfect, small, and crowded, and, as I believe, is there by mistake.

Plate XXVIII.

The characters of the first division are somewhat obliterated, as are also the numerals.

SECOND DIVISION.

Men. XI- 9.
Manik. I- 9.
Cauac. I- 9.
Chuen. I-17.
Akbal. V- 7.

THIRD DIVISION.

XI.
Ahau. VII- 2.
Eb. Ⓘ-7.
Kan. XI-10.
Cib. XI-13.
Lamat.

FOURTH DIVISION.

Men. I- 8.
Manik. III-14.
Been. XIII-13.
Eb. I-13.
Chuen. V- 3.

Plate XXIX.

No day characters in the first, second, or third divisions.

FOURTH DIVISION.

XII
Cimi. VI-
Ezanab. VI-13.
Oc. III-10.
Ik. XII- 9.
Ix.

Plate XXX.

The left-hand compartments of the first, second, and third divisions of this plate are continuations of the first, second, and third divisions of Plate XXXI. The right-hand compartments of these three divisions form the commencement of, and contain the day characters for the first, second, and third divisions of Plate XXIX.

SECOND DIVISION.

(III?).
Ik.
Ix.
Cimi.
Ezanab.
Oc.

FIRST COLUMN, THIRD DIVISION.


The numerals are placed in this form over the Lamat. column. They are probably to be taken in pairs, the Kan. black characters representing two separate numbers, Ahau. one stripe with the dots to be taken with the red numeral Cib. above, thus, V-9 ; the two remaining stripes with the red numerals below thus, VII-10.

RIGHT COMPARTMENT, THIRD DIVISION.

XIII.
Muluc. XIII-13.
Ix. XIII-13.
Cauac. XIII-13.
Kan. XIII-13.
Muluc. XIII-13.

There are no day characters in the fourth division.

Plate XXXI.

Day characters obliterated in the first division.

SECOND DIVISION.

Kan. VII-11.
Cib. V-11.
Lamat. III-11.
Ahau. ?-11.
Eb. IX-11.

THIRD DIVISION.

Chuen. Oc. Muluc.
Cimi. Cimi. Chicchan.
Akbal. Ik. Ymix.
Cauac. Ezanab. Caban.
Men. Ix. Been.

These columns all have the same numerals over them as the first column in the third division of Plate XXX, and they are arranged in the same way. There are no numerals in the spaces.

FOURTH DIVISION.

XIII. XIII.
Ymix. Manik. IX- 9.
Been. Cauac XII- 3.
Chicchan. Chuen. IX-10.
Caban. Akbal. XI- 2.
Muluc. Men. XIII- 2.

This division extends over to Plate XXX.

Plate XXXII.

FIRST DIVISION.

?
Cib. XIII- 9.
Lamat. - 8.
Ahau. IX- 8.
Eb. II-17.
Kan. II- 9.

SECOND DIVISION.

(VIII?).
Ik. I- 6.
Ix. IX- 8.
Cimi. II- ?.
Ezanab. VIII-18.
Muluc.

THIRD DIVISION.

(?)
Ix.
XII.
Ix.
VI. In space,
Ix.
XIII.
Cimi? or death symbol.

FOURTH DIVISION.

(?)
Lamat. III-13.
Ahau. III-13.
Eb. III-13.
Kan. III-13.
Cib.

Plate XXXIII.

FIRST DIVISION.

(?)
Kan. VII- 5.
Muluc. II- 8.
Ix. X- ?.
Cauac. XIII-15.
Kan. VIII- 8.

SECOND DIVISION.

Chuen. Ymix. II-11.
Caban. Manik. X?- 3.
Akbal. Been. VIII- 6.
Muluc. Cauac. IV, or IX- 6.
Men Chicchan. ?- 4.

THIRD DIVISION.

Column left compartment. Column right compartment
V?. V.
Cauac. Kan.
XII?. XII.
Cauac. Kan.
VI. VI.
Cimi?. Cimi?.
XIII. XIII.
Cimi?. Cimi?.

FOURTH DIVISION.

Caban. III-13.
Muluc. III-13.
Imix. III-13.
Been. III-13.
Chicchan.

Plate XXXIV.

The first and fourth divisions belong to Plate XXXV.

SECOND DIVISION.

IV.
Cimi. XII-8. VI-8.
Ezanab, XIII-7?. ? ?.
Oc. ?-7. IX?-7?
Ik. IV-8.
Ix.

THIRD DIVISION.

IV?.
Ahau. XI- ?.
Eb. II-17.
Kan. IV-15.
Gib.
Lamat.

Plate XXXV.

On this plate the day column in the second division is illegible.

FIRST DIVISION.

(?)-10.
Lamat. VII-10. VIII-10.
Been. V?-10. XII?-10.
Ezanab. I-10.
Akbal. XI-10.

THIRD DIVISION.

(?)
Ymix. X-10.
Been. IX-11.
Caban. IX-13.
Chicchan. VIII-12.
Muluc. I-12.

FOURTH DIVISION.

IV.
Ahau. IX-11.
Chicchan. I-17.
Oc. III or IV-17.
Men.
Ahau.

Plate I*.

No day characters are discernible in the first division of this plate

THIRD DIVISION.

I?.
Caban. I- 6.
Ik. I- 6.
Manik. ?-13.
Eb.
Caban?

Plate II*

.

FIRST DIVISION.

Manik. XI- 4.
Eb. IX-15?.
Caban.
Ik.
Manik.

SECOND DIVISION.

Left column. Right column.
IX. VIII?.
Caban IX-12. Ik. 11-13.
Ik. IX-13. Eb. IV-13.
Manik. IX-18?. Manik. IV-11.
Eb. Caban. Caban. Ik.

This division is continued on Plate I*

Left column, third division, illegible.

THIRD DIVISION.

Right column.

IV.
Ahau.
Eb. XI-13.
Kan. IV-19 or 9 and 10.
Cib.
Lamat.


  1. By binding together the plates, exactly the reverse of Brasseur's paging—as is done in many copies—we will probably have them arranged in the order intended.
  2. This, I think, is an evident mistake, and furnishes one reason for believing this MS. is a copy.
  3. Déchiffrement des Écritures Calculiformes ou Mayas, p. 26.