e the union of the Above and
Below. It is to Mr. Maudslay that we owe the recognition of the existence
of this septenary set of glyphs, which he announced as follows to the
Royal Geographical Society in 1886:

"A number of Central American inscriptions are headed by what I shall call
an initial scroll (the style of which is permanent throughout many
variations) and begin with the same formula, usually extending through six
squares of hieroglyphic writing, the sixth square, or sometimes the latter
half of the sixth square, being a human face, usually in profile, enclosed
in a frame or cartouche" (Proceedings, p. 583).

The septenary group occurs on Stelae A, B, C, E, I, P. It is curious to
find that the initial sign is sometimes, as on two sides of Stela P,
followed not by 6 glyphs only, but by 4x6=24 glyphs. On the east side of
Stela P, it is succeeded by 22 glyphs and a carved design which seems to
indicate the beginning or end of the count. On Stela I the initial is also
followed by 4x6=24 glyphs, and on Stela A by 12 double (=24) glyphs on
side 1, whilst side 2 displays 13 and side 3, 2x13=26. On Stela B two
sides exhibit 13 glyphs each and the back 2+ the initial. On two sides of
Stela C the initial is followed by 2x7=14 glyphs. It cannot be denied that
the foregoing stelae collectively yield counts of 4x5, 7, 13, 20 and 24,
which undoubtedly coincide with the well-known numerical organization and
prove that this dominated the people who erected them.

The certainty that the ancient inhabitants of Copan associated the idea of
a central ruler with quadruple power is afforded by a remarkable
bas-relief which Mr. Maudslay has kindly allowed me to reproduce here
(fig. 55), from a drawing made by Miss Annie Hunter.(64)

This carved slab, the size of which is 5' by 4' 6", was found in four
pieces in the western court of the main structure of Copan and according
to Mr. Maudslay's opinion, "formed part of the exterior ornament of temple
11 or the slope on which it stood." It undoubtedly claims a minute
examination, as it strikingly illustrates how the native ideas, I have
been setting forth in the preceding pages, were originally suggested by
the observation of Polaris. Seated cross-legged, and resting on the centre
of the foliated swastika, is the figure of a personage whose titles are
clearly discernible.

[Illustration.]

Figure 55.

He is designated a