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The Inscription of the Temple of the Cross at Palenque

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Abstract

A fresh examination of the chronological data of the inscription serves as a framework for analysis of the undeciphered or text glyphs. The undeciphered glyphs have been grouped into categories. The main category, which consists of glyphs related to the up-ended frog glyph, the flat hand, and Thompson's Jog glyph, is interpreted as referring to local history. Another category is composed of glyphs or clauses that are common at other Maya sites and shows ideas not limited to a particular town but common to many of them. Another category of glyphs is restricted to a phenomenon, the Triad, which so far has been identified with certainty only at Palenque. In an appended section definite readings for hitherto floating dates of two other Palenque inscriptions are proposed, and it is suggested that the 819-day count originated at Palenque, from which it spread as far as Copan. These readings may facilitate future glyphic research at Palenque.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1965

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