Yaxchilan Vols. 3.1 – 3.3

Ian Graham and Eric von Euw. 1977 Peabody Museum Press

Ian Graham. 1979, 1982 Peabody Museum Press

The Usumacinta River, in its middle reaches, runs in a bed that is cut deeply into hilly terrain and follows a fairly straight northwesterly course toward the Gulf of Mexico. In two places, however, the river has been forced into detours having the form of great loops, both of them, as it happens, destined to have important ceremonial centers built upon their banks. On the right bank of one lies Piedras Negras, while on the other, about 50 km upstream and halfway around the more perfectly formed of the two loops, lies Yaxchilan. The smoothly curving course of this loop traces the form of a capital omega, its neck no more than 500 m across, its diameter about 3.5 km.

In this region the river flows, for the most part, between sandy terraces of varying width, but on the order of 100 m wide, at the back of which rise up escarpments or irregular masses of karst- formation hills. It is along a stretch of such a terrace, about 1 km in length, and on the ledges and prominences overlooking it, that Yaxchilan was built.

Until recently, access to Yaxchilan had not been easy. The river, it is true, does provide a year-round means of communication, but only in the upstream direction. Passage in a dugout canoe through the rapids of Anaite, about 20 km downstream, and through other rapids at about the same distance farther on, between El Cayo and Piedras Negras, is at best unnerving; at other times, when the level of the river is not propitious, the journey cannot be recommended at all. Rapids below the Piedras Negras make the journey onward to Tenosique impossible at all times.

Upstream, it is a two-day journey (except by speedboat) to Sayaxche, and an expert boatman who knows all the shadows and rocky snags must be employed.

Until recently the only overland route in regular use, since mahogany-cutting along the river began more than a century ago, had been through Guatemalan territory on the other side of the river, passing through Macabilero, Piedras Negras, and Tres Champas, crossing the border there and proceeding to Tenosique. It is a four- day walk.

Since 1974, however, motor vehicles have been reaching the riverbank opposite Yaxchilan over a track that starts at Paso Subin, a settlement on the road between Flores and Sayaxche. The track was seldom passable, but now, at the time of writing, it is being improved.

Yaxchilan may also be reached by light plane. The landing strip is on the terrace west of Structure 81.

The existence of the ruins now called Yaxchilan seems to have been known, at least by vague report, among Mexican settlers in the lower Usumacinta drainage since the early nineteenth century. What may be the first published expression of those rumors was made in 1833 by Juan Galindo in his report on the Pasion and Usumacinta rivers. “Within an extensive cave on the left bank,” he wrote, “are some extraordinary and extensive ruins; and somewhat lower down the stream there is a remarkable monumental stone, with characters” (Galindo 1833, p. 60). As this section of Galindo’s report seems not to have been based on his own observations, one may perhaps speculate that the word curva, in notes written by an informant, was misread by him as cueva. The “remarkable monumental stone” could well have been at El Cayo.

The first visitor to Yaxchilan coming with an educated eye was undoubtedly Edwin Rockstroh, an instructor at the Colegio Nacional, Guatemala City. At some time after his visit in 1881 he evidently wrote an account of the site (Maudslay 1889- 1902, vol. 5, p. 40). As is mentioned in the text on Lintel 24 (page 3:54), Rockstroh attempted to carry that lintel away. He also, according to Maudslay’s friend Joyce, “give [the site] the name Menché after the eponymous ancestor, Bol Menché, of the local Maya inhabitants. Maudslay naturally adopted the name” (Joyce 1923, p. 42n).

After hearing about the ruins from Rockstroh, Alfred Maudslay made a detour from his route to Tikal to see them. During his week’s stay there, by extraordinary coincidence, he was joined by Désiré Charnay, who had come from the opposite direction. Before the end of that year, 1882, Maudslay had read a paper in which his discoveries were briefly described (Maudslay 1883), the ruins being there referred to simply as “Usumacinta”; perhaps at the time of their meeting Rockstroh had not yet decided on the name Menché, or Menché Tinamit.

The various apellations by which Charnay chose to dignify at once the ruins and his patron were: La Ville Lorillard, Villa Lorillard, and in the English version of his book, Lorillard Town and Lorillard City (Charnay 1885).

An important consequence of Maudslay’s meeting with Charnay was that he learned from the latter the technique of making paper molds. In 1886 Maudslay sent his assistant Gorgonio López back to Yaxchilan to make molds by this process and to remove certain lintels, under a permit granted by the Government of Guatemala, within the borders of which the ruins were considered at that time to lie. These pieces were sent to London, and are now in the British Museum.

There is one exception: the front edge of one lintel was sent by mistake to Berlin. Maudslay published a photograph of a cast of this piece (Maudslay 1889- 1902, vol. 2, pl. 98). Its provenience has never been known. In a letter to C.P. Bowditch from Merida, October 3, 1903, (Peabody Museum Archives), Maler attributed this lintel, which he designated as Lintel 47, to the central doorway of Structure 9, but it is clear that the stone shaft he saw was really Stela 27. I, however, found a lintel with its front edge cut off lying between Structures 74 and 11. The dimensions of the sawn face correspond with those of the plaster cast (the original was destroyed during World War II). The exact position of the lintel was not recorded, but I remember it as lying close to the northeast corner of Structure 74. However, it is probable that it came from Structure 11; a note on a manuscript version of Maudslay’s site plan (British Museum, Dept. of Ethnography) refers to House C (Structure 11) as a “much ruined house, 2 lintels in position with hieroglyphs.” At the time of writing, there is no means of determining which doorway in the building it came from, so that its placing in the site plan given here is arbitrary. Its designation as Lintel 56 is due to Morley.

The most extensive report on Yaxchilan is that of Teobert Maler. Following a brief visit in 1895, Maler returned to the ruins in 1897, spending the months of July and August digging out fallen stelae and lintels and photographing them. On this visit he discovered Structures 39- 41. Maler’s work was completed during the months of January to March 1900, while he was working under the auspices of the Peabody Museum. In addition to photographs, Maler took a number of paper molds during that visit, the casts from which are in the Peabody Museum; unfortunately they do not show fine detail. Maler’s report, with its superb photographs, was published three years later (Maler 1903).

Unwilling to adopt the name used by Maudlay for the ruins, Maler devised another: Yaxchilan Xlabpak (letter to Bowditch, May 11, 1897, Peabody Museum Archives), the “Xlabpak” being later, and rather mercifully, dropped. Maler admittedly had grounds for rejecting the linguistically hybrid combination of Menché with Tinamit (Maudslay, it may be noted, never wrote “Menché Tinamit” in his text; his only use of it was on his site plan), but “Yaxchilan” is no less objectionable, and should never have been adopted.

Morley paid two brief visits to Yaxchilan in 1914, and a third lasting a month in April- May 1931, when several new inscriptions were recorded. During this third sojourn he was accompanied by Karl Ruppert and John Bolles, the latter being responsible for surveying the ruins to produce the plan published by Morley (1937- 38, vol. 5, pl. 201).

Linton Satterthwaite spent a week working at Yaxchilan in 1934, and two weeks in 1935, when he discovered Lintels 57, 58, and 59.

A more detailed account of investigations at Yaxchilan by those already mentioned, and by others, is given by Morley (ibid., vol. 2, pp. 342- 344). Doubt, however, may be cast on his view that “the first European known to have visited the site would seem to have been the Maestro de Campo Jacobo de Alçayaga,” in 1696. Morley writes that Alçayaga and his party left Dolores and set off down the Lacantun River in fifteen large canoes, traveling “downstream to the confluence of the Lacantun and the Usumacinta, and then probably down the latter for some 550 km (140 leagues) in a vain search for Lake Peten Itza. While exploring the banks of the Usumacinta, they discovered Yaxchilan”; Villagutierre’s account of the soldiers’ coming upon ancient ruins near the river is then quoted. The chief difficulty with this is that Villagutierre expressly states that from the mouth of the Lacantun the flotilla went upstream (Villagutierre 1701, p. 362).

For three decades after the work of Morley and Satterthwaite, nothing worthy of note occurred at Yaxchilan, other than the steady erosion of sculptures that now lay exposed for the first time to rain and moss. Photographs show, for example, that in 1931 the design on one side of the large lowermost fragment of Stela 7 was still in excellent condition, although the design on the other side was almost obliterated; by 1970 both sides were almost equally eroded.

An aspect that more than counterbalanced the neglect of conservation during this period was the nearly total absence of looting. This was due to the wise decision of the Mexican authorities to install a guardian, Ulíses de la Cruz, some of whose sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps. While I cannot claim to have inventoried the sculpture yet, I know of only one significant (and lamentable) loss: the upper step from the central doorway of Structure 44.

In 1966, a number of stelae and lintels were transported by boat to Agua Azul, and thence by air to Mexico City, for installation in the new Museo Nacional de Antropología. Among the pieces removed was Stela 11, which was found, upon delivery at Agua Azul, to be too large and too heavy for the aircraft. It was later brought back to Yaxchilan by Gertrude Duby de Blom, and is lying at present under a protective roof to the east of Structure 5.

In 1973, a program of restoration at Yaxchilan was initiated by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, with Roberto García Mol appointed field director the following year. At the time of writing, Structures 6, 19, and 33 have been consolidated; excavation in front of Structure 33 has revealed a step composed of thirteen carved blocks, designated HS2 in the present work; the well- preserved lower portion of the incised stalactite noticed by Maler in front of the same structure was also found, and is designated as Stela 31; and the carved altar on the north side of Stela 3, shown by Maler on his plan and in his figure 46c, but apparently not seen by Morley, has come to light. It is here designated as Altar 22.

One sculpture ascribed to this site must be rejected the so- called Yaxchilan Lintel 60 (Barthel 1966). This lintel can instead be confidently attributed to a small site named La Pasadita, situated to the north of Yaxchilan, in Guatemalan territory.

My work of recording the sculpture of Yaxchilan has been carried out during numerous short visits, from 1970 onward.

SITE	VOL/Part	Monument	Side	Page	Pub.year	Notes	Peabody Number
YAXCHALIN	3.1	Map		5	1977
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Map of Ruins		6	1977
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 1		13	1977		2004.15.6.5.1
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 2	underside	15	1977		2004.15.6.5.2
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 3	underside	17	1977		2004.15.6.5.3
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 4	underside	19	1977		2004.15.6.5.4
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 5	underside	21	1977		2004.15.6.5.5
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 6	underside	23	1977		2004.15.6.5.6
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 7	underside	25	1977		2004.15.6.5.7
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 8	underside	27	1977		2004.15.6.5.8
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 9	underside	29	1977		2004.15.6.5.9
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 10	underside	31	1977		2004.15.6.5.10
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 12	underside	33	1977		2004.15.6.5.11
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 13	underside	35	1977		2004.15.6.5.12
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 14	underside	37	1977		2004.15.6.5.13
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 15	underside	39	1977		2004.15.6.5.14
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 16	underside	41	1977		2004.15.6.5.15
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 17	underside	43	1977		2004.15.6.5.16
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 18	underside	45	1977		2004.15.6.5.17
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 20	underside frag	47	1977		2004.15.6.5.18
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 21	underside	49	1977		2004.15.6.5.19
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 22	underside	51	1977		2004.15.6.5.20
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 24	underside and front	53	1977	3 copies, 21.1;.2;.3	2004.15.6.5.21
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 25	front edge	55	1977		2004.15.6.5.22
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 25	front edge	56	1977	2 drawings are missing	2004.15.6.5.23
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 26	underside	57	1977	drawing missing	2004.15.6.5.26
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 26	front edge	58	1977		2004.15.6.5.28
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 27	front edge	59	1977		2004.15.6.5.29
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Lintel 28	front edge	61	1977		2004.15.6.5.30

YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 29	underside	67	1979		2004.15.6.6.1
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 30		69	1979		2004.15.6.6.2
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 31		71	1979		2004.15.6.6.3
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 32		73	1979		2004.15.6.6.4
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 33		75	1979		2004.15.6.6.5
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 34		77	1979		2004.15.6.6.6
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 35		79	1979		2004.15.6.6.7
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 37		83	1979		2004.15.6.6.8
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 38	front edge	85	1979		2004.15.6.6.9
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 39	front edge	87	1979		2004.15.6.6.10
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 40	front edge	89	1979		2004.15.6.6.11
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 41		91	1979		2004.15.6.6.12
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 42		93	1979		2004.15.6.6.13
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 43	underside	95	1979		2004.15.6.6.14
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 44		97	1979		2004.15.6.6.15
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 45	underside	99	1979		2004.15.6.6.16
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 45	details	100	1979		2004.15.6.6.17
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 46	underside	101	1979		2004.15.6.6.18
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 46	details	101	1979		2004.15.6.6.19
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 47	underside	103	1979		2004.15.6.6.20
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 48	underside	105	1979		2004.15.6.6.21
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 49		107	1979		2004.15.6.6.22
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 49		107	1979	smaller scale	2004.15.6.6.23
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 50		109	1979		2004.15.6.6.24
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 51		111	1979		2004.15.6.6.25
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 52		113	1979		2004.15.6.6.26
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 53		115	1979		2004.15.6.6.27
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 54		117	1979		2004.15.6.6.28
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 55		119	1979		2004.15.6.6.29
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 56	front edge	121	1979		2004.15.6.6.30
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 57	underside	123	1979		2004.15.6.6.31
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Lintel 58		125	1979		2004.15.6.6.32

YAXCHILAN	3.3	Lintel 59		131	1982		2004.15.6.7.1
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Lintel 19		133	1982		2004.15.6.7.2
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Lintel 23	front	135	1982		2004.15.6.7.3
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Lintel 23	underside	136	1982		2004.15.6.7.4
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Lintel 26	correction to 3:57	139	1982	no drawing
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Lintel 34	additional framents	140	1982	no drawing
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Map		141			2004.15.6.7.7
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 1	step I	143	1982	oversize	2004.15.6.7.8
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 1	step II	145	1982	oversize	2004.15.6.7.9
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 1	step III	147	1982	oversize	2004.15.6.7.10
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 1	step IV	149	1982	oversize	2004.15.6.7.11
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 1	step V	151	1982	oversize	2004.15.6.7.12
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 1	step VI	153	1982	oversize	2004.15.6.7.13
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	structure 33	155	1982		2004.15.6.7.14
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step I	156	1982		2004.15.6.7.15
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step II	156	1982		2004.15.6.7.16
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step III	157	1982		2004.15.6.7.17
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step IV	157	1982		2004.15.6.7.18
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step V	158	1982		2004.15.6.7.19
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step VI	159	1982		2004.15.6.7.20
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step VII	160	1982		2004.15.6.7.21
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step VIII	162	1982		2004.15.6.7.22
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step IX	163	1982		2004.15.6.7.23
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step X	163	1982		2004.15.6.7.24
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step XI	164	1982		2004.15.6.7.25
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step XII	164	1982		2004.15.6.7.26
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 2	step XIII	164	1982		2004.15.6.7.27
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	structure 44	165	1982		2004.15.6.7.28
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step I tread	166	1982		2004.15.6.7.29
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step I riser	167	1982		2004.15.6.7.30
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step II	168	1982		2004.15.6.7.31
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step III	169	1982		2004.15.6.7.32
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step IV	170	1982		2004.15.6.7.33
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step V tread	171	1982		2004.15.6.7.34
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step V riser	172	1982		2004.15.6.7.35
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 3	step VI	173	1982		2004.15.6.7.36
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 4	step I	175	1982		2004.15.6.7.37
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 4	step II	176	1982	no drawing
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 4	step III	176	1982		2004.15.6.7.39
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 5	structure 20	177	1982		2004.15.6.7.40
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 5	blocks 1-30	179	1982		2004.15.6.7.41
YAXCHILAN	3.3	HS 5	blocks 31-45	181	1982		2004.15.6.7.42
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Map		183	1982

SITE (by Vol)	VOL/Part	Author(s)
YAXCHILAN	3.1	Ian Graham and Eric von Euw, Vol 3.1, 1977
YAXCHILAN	3.2	Ian Graham, Vol. 3.2, 1979
YAXCHILAN	3.3	Ian Graham, Vol. 3.3, 1982

Inscriptions at Yaxchilan

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 1, 2004.15.6.5.1

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 1, 2004.15.5.5.1

Location

In situ over the left (southeast) doorway of Structure 33, set with the top of the sculpture toward the northwest.

Condition

Intact and very well preserved, although at times obscured by white lichen. Traces of color noted by Maler are no longer apparent.

Material

Fine yellowish limestone.

Shape

Carved surface is flat; edges are not quite parallel.

Dimensions

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.94 m 0.82 m 0.83 m 0.40 m 0.7 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.94 m
0.82 m
0.83 m
0.40 m
0.7 cm

Carved Areas

Underside only.

Photograph

Graham, 1974.

Drawing

Graham, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light.

Inscriptions

Dates

9.16.1.0.0 11 Ajaw 8 Sek (29 Apr, 752)

Description

The lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV in dance alongside one of his wives or consorts, Lady Great Skull. The king manipulates a K'awiil scepter, while Lady Great Skull supports a large bundle of jades (marked with the label i-ka-tzi ihkaatz "jades"). The text suggests that this event took place in front of a large crowd.

Because the full regal name of Shield Jaguar IV appears at the close of the inscription (K2), it seems reasonable to regard this monument as having been commissioned during his reign rather than his father's.

Transcription, Transliteration and Translation

First passage (A1-I2):

11- AJAW 5-?- TI'-HUUN-na 8- ka-se-wa U-BAAH-hi ti-CH'AM-a-AK'-ta ti- ?-? TE'-ku-yu-XUKUB?- ? CHAN-na-AK'IN?-na mi?-xi-NAL ya- ?- BAHLAM a- 20- BAAK U-cha-CHAN AJ-u-ku U-cha-CHAN ?-? 3- WINIKHAAB ?-?- TE'-la 3- WINIKHAAB ya-AJAW-TE' K'UH- ?- AJAW-wa K'UH-[PA']CHAN-AJAW-wa OCH-K'IN-ni KAL-TE'

Buluch-ajaw ho'-? ti'huun waxak-kaseew. U-baah ti-ch'am-ak'Vt ti-? te' kuy xukub?-? chan ak'in? mixnal? ?-bahlam aj-winik-baak, u-chan aj-uk, u-chan ?, uhx-winikhaab ?, uhx winikhaab yajawte', k'uhul ?-ajaw, k'uhul pa'chan ajaw, ochik'in kaloomte'.

"On 11 Ajaw (G9) 8 Sek, it is his image in the act of the receiving dance, of the ? dance, the tree, owl, horn and ? sky god (of?) Mixnal, Bird Jaguar IV, he of 20 captives, the master of Aj Uk, the master of Jeweled Skull, three katun ?, three katun lineage lord, holy king of ?, holy king of broken sky, the west kaloomte'."

Second passage (E1-K3):

U-BAAH-hi ti-CHAN-na-li IX- 1-? NAAH-ka-KAAN IX- 20- ki TI'-HUUN- ?- WINIK-ki CHAK-IX-CHAM-mi ya- ? -na ITZAMNAAJ?-BAHLAM ?-?- ji-AJAW

Ubaah ti-chan-il ix juun-?-naah-kaan, ix-ti'huun-?-winik, ix chak chami. Y-a...n Itzamnaaj Bahlam ?-ajaw.

"It is her image in the act of public performance, Lady First ?-House Snake, Prophetess ?-person, Lady Great Skull. She is the mother of Shield Jaguar IV, the ?-Lord."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 2, underside, 2004.15.6.5.2

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 2, underside, 2004.15.5.5.2

Location

In situ over the central doorway of Structure 33, set with the top of the sculpture toward the northwest.

Condition

Intact and very well preserved, although at times obscured by lichen. Traces of color noted by Maler are no longer apparent.

Material

Fine yellowish limestone.

Shape

Carved surface is flat; edges are nearly parallel.

Dimensions

MW 1.13 m

HSc 0.75 m

WSc 0.98 m

MTh 0.37 m

Rel 0.8 cm

Carved Areas

Underside only.

Photograph

Graham, of plaster cast made by him.

Drawing

Graham, based on plaster cast.

Inscriptions

Dates

9.16.6.0.0 4 Ajaw 3 Sotz' (3 Apr, 757)

Description

The lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV in dance alongside his young son, the future Shield Jaguar IV. The king manipulates two flowered bird staffs, while Shield Jaguar IV also carries one of these staffs. The text suggests that this dance commemorated Bird Jaguar IV's fifth year of rule.

Transcription, Transliteration, and Translation

First passage (A1-E1, K1-N1, O1-O4 and P1-Q1):

4- AJAW 3- TE-SUUTZ' TZUTZ?-ja U- 5 -HAAB-ta ti-AJAW-le a-AK'-ta-ja ti- ? [ku]-pi ya- ?- BAHLAM AJ- 20 -BAAK U-cha-CHAN AJ-u-ku 3 -WINIKHAAB-AJAW-wa K'UH- ?- AJAW K'UH-[PA']CHAN-na-AJAW ba-ka-ba

Chan-ajaw uhx-te'-suutz', tzuhtzaj u-ho'-haab-tal ti-ajaw-lel. Ak'taj ti-? ?-bahlam, aj-winik-baak, u-chan aj-uk, uhx-winikhaab-ajaw, k'uhul-?-ajaw, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw, baahkab.

"On 4 Ajaw 3 Suutz' his fifth year in lordship finishes. He dances with the ?, Bird Jaguar IV, he of 20 captives, master of Aj Uk, the 3 katun lord, the holy lord of ?, the holy lord of pa'chan, the baahkab".

Second passage (F1-H1, I1-I2, J1-J3):

U-BAAH-hi ti-a-AK'-ta ti- ?[ ku ]- pi MUY-CHAN-na YOPAAT-ti che-le-TE' CHAN-na-K'INICH K'UH- ?- AJAW-wa

U-baah ti-ak'Vt ti-? muy chan yopaat chelte' chan k'inich, k'uhul ?-ajaw.

"It is his image in dance with the ?, Muy Chan Yopaat Chelte' Chan K'inich (i.e., Shield Jaguar IV), holy lord of ?"

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 3, underside, 2004.15.6.5.3

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 3, underside, 2004.15.5.5.3

Location

In situ over the right-hand (northwest) doorway of Structure 33, set with the top of the sculpture toward the northwest.

Condition

Intact and very well preserved. Of the traces of color noted by Maler only a small amount of red remains.

Material

Fine yellowish limestone.

Shape

Carved surface is flat; edges are nearly parallel.

Dimensions

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.96 m 0.85 m 0.80 m 0.38 m 0.5 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.96 m
0.85 m
0.80 m
0.38 m
0.5 cm

Carved Areas

Underside only.

Photograph

Graham, 1974.

Drawing

Graham, based on plaster cast.

Inscriptions

Dates

9.16.5.0.0 8 Ajaw 8 Sotz' (8 Apr, 756)

Description

The lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV in dance alongside one of his sajals, K'in Mo' Ajaw. Both the king and his sajal manipulate K'awiil scepters in commemoration of the first hotun of the seventeenth katun.

Transcription, Transliteration, and Translation

First passage (A1-D3, G1-H2 and I1-J3):

8- AJAW IK-K'IN-NAL-TI'-HUUN-na 8- TE'-SUUTZ' NAAH-HO'-TUUN U-BAAH-hi ti-CH'AM-AK'-ta ti-CH'AHOOM?-ma ti- ?- yu mi?-xi-NAL ya- ?- BAHLAM AJ- 20- BAAK U-cha-CHAN AJ-u-ku U-cha-CHAN u- ? 3- WINIKHAAB a-ja-wa 3- WINIKHAAB ch'a-jo-ma K'UH- ?- AJAW K'UH-[PA']CHAN-na-AJAW

Waxak-ajaw ik'inal-ti'huun waxak-te'-suutz'. Naah-ho'tuun. U-baah ti-ch'am-ak'Vt ti-ch'ahoom? ti-?, mixnal? ?-bahlam, aj-winik-baak, u-chan aj-uk, u-chan ?, uhx-winikhaab-ajaw, uhx-winikhaab-ch'ahoom, k'uhul-?-ajaw, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"It is 8 Ajaw (G9) 8 Sotz'. It is the first ho'tuun. It is his image in the receiving dance, in the ch'ahoom dance?, in the ?-dance?, (at) Mixnal?, Bird Jaguar IV, he of 20 captives, master of Aj Uk, master of Jeweled Skull, three katun lord, three katun ch'ahoom, holy lord of ?, holy lord of pa'chan."

Second passage (F1-F4):

AJ-tza[a] K'IN-ni-MO-AJAW 3- WINIKHAAB sa-ja-la

aj-tza' (or aj-atz) k'inmo'ajaw uhx-winikhaab-sajal

"It is Aj Tza' (or Aj Atz), K'in Mo' Ajaw, the 3 katun sajal".

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 4, underside, 2004.15.6.5.4

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 4, underside, 2004.15.5.5.4

Location

This lintel, which is made up of two slabs, was found by Maler in debris on the north side of Structure 34. The number of doorways once existing in this structure is uncertain, but Maler mentions another two-part lintel found close to it, the carving of which was nearly obliterated.

Condition

The left (inner) half was in mediocre condition when found; since then it has undergone further severe erosion. The other half is described by Maler as having sculpture "so thoroughly demolished that it could not be photographed."

Material

Limestone.

Shape

The outer beam of the lintel is reported to have a rectangular cross section, whereas the other has a beveled inner edge, presumably so as to lie flush with vaulting that sprang from the level of the lintel's underside.

Dimensions

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.97 m 1.11 m 0.87 m 0.32 m 2.0 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.97 m
1.11 m
0.87 m
0.32 m
2.0 cm

Note

The figure for MW given here refers to the lower surface; the greater breadth of the upper surface was not measured.

Carved Areas

Underside only, apparently.

Photograph

Reproduced from Maler's original negative of 1900.

Drawing

Graham, based on photographs by Maler, Morley, and Graham.

Inscriptions

Dates

No surviving date.

Description

Although heavily eroded, this lintel may once have depicted a scene like that of Lintel 26. What survives of the text and iconography indicates that this is a depiction of Shield Jaguar III, who carries the same shield and knife and wears the same jaguar helmet as on the other lintel. Maler mentioned that the other half of the lintel (not illustrated) contained significant but heavily eroded sculpture. Quite probably this would have depicted Shield Jaguar's principal wife (Lady K'abal Xook) or a subordinate sajal.

Transcription, Transliteration, and Translation

The text is too eroded for a reliable transcription, though the introductory phrase "it is his image in the act of" ( u-baah ti-? ) is visible at A1-B1, as well as Shield Jaguar III's name and typical titles at C4-D8 (Itzamnaaj? Bahlam, ho'-winikhaab ajaw, u-chan aj-? k'uhul-?-ajaw, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw ).

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.84 m 0.90 m 0.73 m 0.40 m 0.3 cm

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 6, underside, 2004.15.6.5.6

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 6, underside, 2004.15.5.5.6

LOCATION Found by Maler in debris in front of the central doorway of the north-facing front of Structure 1.

CONDITION Unbroken. In good condition when found, except for erosion in the area occupied by glyph column A, where the stone was naturally soft, or had become softened. Since discovery, the sculpture has lost some fine detail; erosion of glyph column A and part of the headdress has been severe.

MATERIAL Fine-grained limestone, flawed by holes.

SHAPE Sculptured surface is flat; the sides are parallel.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.88 m 0.89 m 0.79 m 0.31 m 0.3 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.88 m
0.89 m
0.79 m
0.31 m
0.3 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Reproduced from Maler's original negative of 1900.

DRAWING Graham, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light and on a plaster cast made by Maler.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.16.1.8.6 8 Kimi 14 Mak (12 Oct, 752)

DESCRIPTION

The lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV in dance alongside his chief sajal, K'an Tok Wayib. Both men wield jaguar paw scepters, but the king also supports a tall staff with a miniature idol of K'awiil perched atop it. In his right hand, the sajal holds a rectangular object, probably a wooden box filled with auto-sacrificial equipment.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-A7):

8- CHAM? 14-ma-*MAK *AK'-*ta-ja *ti- ? AJ- *20- *BAAK 3- WINIKHAAB-AJAW ya- ?- BAHLAM

Waxak-ajaw chanlajuun-mak, ak'taj ti-?, aj-winik-baak, uhx-winikhaab-ajaw, ?-bahlam

"On 8 Ajaw 14 Mak, he dances with the ?, he of 20 captives, the 3 katun lord, Bird Jaguar IV."

Second passage (B1-B7):

U-BAAH-ji ti-AK'-ta ti-CHAK-AT-ta U-cha-CHAN ko-TE'-AJAW K'AN-*TOK-*ko-wa-*WAY[*bi] ba-sa-ja-la

U-baah ti-ak'Vt ti-chakat, u-chan kokte'-ajaw, k'antokwayib baah-sajal

"It is his image in the act of dancing with the chakat, the captor of Kokte' Ajaw, K'an Tok Wayib, the head (or chief) sajal."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 7, underside, 2004.15.6.5.7

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 7, underside, 2004.15.5.5.7

LOCATION Found by Maler in debris in front of the right (west) doorway of the north-facing front of Structure 1.

CONDITION Unbroken. Moderately eroded when found. A diagonal flaw in the lower central region showed greater erosion; it seems to have existed from the beginning as a depression, since the upper left-hand corner of the glyph panel F-C is carved at a lower level. This and a second, parallel, stratum of soft stone between this panel and the neighboring foot may have dictated the placing and shape of this panel. These two strata have been severely eroded since the lintel was excavated.

MATERIAL Limestone.

SHAPE The sculptured surface is flat; the sides are parallel.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.89 m 0.90 m 0.75 m 0.37 m 0.8 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.89 m
0.90 m
0.75 m
0.37 m
0.8 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Reproduced from Maler's original negative of 1900.

DRAWING Graham, based on photographs, and checked against the original.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.16.1.8.8 10 Lamat 16 Mak (14 Oct, 752)

DESCRIPTION

The lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV in dance alongside one of his wives or consorts, probably Lady Mut Bahlam of Hix Witz. The king manipulates a K'awiil scepter, while the woman supports a large bundle (probably of jades, given the hieroglyphic tags on a number of similar lintels).

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (B1-E1 and A1-A2):

10- *LAMAT 16- ma-MAK a-AK'-ta-ja ti- ? mi?-xi-NAL ya- ?- BAHLAM U-*cha-*CHAN AJ-*u-*ku a- 20- BAAK *K'UH- ?- AJAW

Lajuun-ajaw waklajuun-mak, ak'taj ti-? mixnal(?) ?-bahlam, u-chan aj-uk, aj-winik-baak, k'uhul-?-ajaw.

"On 10 Lamat 16 Mak, he dances with the ? (at?) Mixnal?, Bird Jaguar IV, the master of Aj Uk, he of twenty captives, holy lord of ?"

Second passage (F1-F2):

The woman's caption is almost completely destroyed, though the initial IX (at F1) and the probable BAHLAM (at G1) suggest her identification as Lady Mut Bahlam of Hix Witz (see Lintel 17).

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 8, underside, 2004.15.6.5.8

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 8, underside, 2004.15.5.5.8

LOCATION Found by Maler in debris at the east end of Structure 1.

CONDITION The sculptured area is unbroken. At discovery, some areas of the very low relief showed some loss by weathering. Subsequent erosion has been slight.

MATERIAL Hard limestone, showing some flaws.

SHAPE The carved surface is flat; the sides are parallel.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.99 m 0.78 m 0.87 m 0.30 m 0.3 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.99 m
0.78 m
0.87 m
0.30 m
0.3 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Reproduced from Maler's original negative of 1900.

DRAWING Graham, based on photographs and on a plaster cast made by Maler.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.16.4.1.1 7 Imix 14 Sek (5 May, 755)

DESCRIPTION

This lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV and his chief sajal taking captives in warfare. To the right, the king holds a spear and flexible shield in his left hand, and grasps the wrist of his captive (Jeweled Skull) with his right. To the left, K'an Tok Wayib grasps his captive (Kok Te' Ajaw) both by the hair and his heavy rope bindings.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-A4 and E1-E3):

*7- IMIX 14- ka-se chu-ka-ja u- ? U-ba-ki ya- ?- BAHLAM K'UH-[PA']CHAN-AJAW

Huk-imix chanlajuun-kaseew, chuhkaj ?. U-baak ?-bahlam, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"On 7 Imix 14 Sek, Jeweled Skull is captured. He is the prisoner of Bird Jaguar IV, holy lord of Pa'chan."

Second passage (B1-D3):

U-cha-CHAN ko-TE'-AJAW K'AN-*na-TOK-ko wa-WAY[bi] sa-ja-la

U-chan kokte'-ajaw k'antokwayib sajal.

"He is the master of Kokte' Ajaw. He is K'antokwayib the sajal"

Caption 1 (F1):

ko-TE'-AJAW

kokte'-ajaw

"He is Kokte' Ajaw"

Caption 2 (G1):

The signs making up the name of 'Jeweled Skull' are still undeciphered. The occasional presence of an initial u- complement (e.g., on Lintel 3:H2 and Lintel 8:A4) suggest that the name begins with that sound, but nothing more can be determined at present.

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 9, underside, 2004.15.6.5.9

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 9, underside, 2004.15.5.5.9

LOCATION Found by Maler in debris in front of the single doorway of Structure 2. Removed in 1964 to the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City.

CONDITION Unbroken, and in almost pristine condition when found. Subsequent weathering obliterated much fine detail.

MATERIAL Fine yellowish limestone.

SHAPE The carved surface is flat; the sides are not quite parallel.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.77 m 0.98 m 0.66 m 0.36 m 1.1 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.77 m
0.98 m
0.66 m
0.36 m
1.1 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1974.

DRAWING Graham, based on drawing of original and on Maler's photograph and plaster cast.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.16.17.6.12 1 Eb 0 Mol (16 June, 768)

DESCRIPTION

This lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV and his brother-in-law, Chak Chami. They dance while manipulating large flexible staffs (nicknamed "flapstaffs", but glyphically referred to as jasawchan ) . As Tate has shown, such events are probably associated with the summer solstice.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-A4 and B1-B8):

1- EB? TI'-HAAB YAX-K'IN-ni AK'-ta-ja ti-ja-sa-wa CHAN-*na 3- WINIKHAAB-AJAW ya- ?- BAHLAM U-cha-CHAN AJ-u-ku a- 20 -*BAAK K'UH- ?- AJAW K'UH-[PA']CHAN-AJAW

Juun-eb? ti'-haab-yaxk'in, ak'taj ti-jasaw-chan uhx-winikhaab-ajaw ?-bahlam, u-chan aj-uk, aj-winik-baak, k'uhul-?-ajaw, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"On 1 Eb and the end of Yaxk'in, he dances with the jasawchan, the three katun ajaw, Bird Jaguar IV, master of Aj Uk, he of twenty captives, holy ?-lord, holy pa'chan lord".

Second passage (C1-C4):

CHAK-CHAM?-mi *yi-*cha-ni a-ja-AJAW AJ- 7?- BAAK

Chak-chami?. Y-ichaan ajaw, aj-huk-baak.

"He is Chak Chami. He is the maternal uncle of the lord, he of six captives."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 10, underside, 2004.15.6.5.10

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 10, underside, 2004.15.5.5.10

LOCATION Found by Maler half-buried in a low mound, Structure 3.

CONDITION Intact, but for a portion broken off and not yet located, resulting in the loss of two-thirds of one glyph-block. The lintel was well preserved at discovery; since then it has lost some fine details due to erosion. MATERIAL Fine-grained limestone.

SHAPE Carved surface is flat; one edge is trimmed at a noticeable angle.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.85 m 0.78 m 0.73 m 0.24 m 0.4 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.85 m
0.78 m
0.73 m
0.24 m
0.4 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1973.

DRAWING Graham, based on field drawing corrected by artificial light and on Maler's plaster cast.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.18.17. 12. 6 7 Kimi 14 Sip (12 March, 808)

+ 1. 4

9.18.17.13.10 5 Ok 18 Sotz' (5 April, 808)

+ 4

9.18.17.13.14 9 Hix 2 Sek (9 April, 808)

DESCRIPTION

This all-glyphic lintel is rendered in a distinctively cramped style, and was thought by Morley to be among the earliest monuments of the site. Nevertheless, the initial date (with its clear 'G3' notation) is persuasively late, and the text clearly names the final king of Yaxchilan, and provides his parentage (naming the penultimate king and his consort). As such, this may well be the latest monument at the site.

The text contains references to the bellicose reign of K'inich Tatbu Jol III, including a "star war" and a number of capture events, but also to the dedication of Temple 3, seemingly the waybil or "dormitory" of a number of patron gods. As David Stuart has shown, this text is most noteworthy for its record of the capture of Ruler 7 of Piedras Negras in April of 808.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-B3):

7- CHAM? [JUL]JAN?-na-TI'-HUUN-na 14- CHAK-*AT ya-YAL-ja U- 2- WAL? BAAH-hi KAL?-ma-TE' U-cha-CHAN a-AHK-MO' K'UH- ?- AJAW-wa

Huk kimi, hul-hanaab?-ti'huun, chanlajuun chakat. Yahlaj u-cha'-wal? baah kaloomte'?, u-chan ahkul mo', k'uhul-?-ajaw.

"It is 7 Kimi (G3) 14 Sip. The second ? of the head kaloomte'(?), of the master of Ahkul Mo', of the holy ?-lord, is thrown down."

Second passage (A4-A7):

CH'AY?-yi K'UH-TE'-la YAX-HUL-wi-tzi U?-*KAB?-ji TUUN-ni su-wu?-lu AHK-la K'IN-a-tu-TOK'-PAKAL U-cha-CHAN-TAJ-MO'-o AJ- 16- BAAK-K'UH-[PA']CHAN]-AJAW

Ch'ay-i? k'uhte'el yaxhulwitz. Ukabij? tuun suwul? ahkal, k'ina t-u-took' t-u-pakal, u-chan tajmo', aj-waklajuun-baak, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"K'uhte'el Yaxjhulwitz is destroyed. He governed it, Stone Suwul? Turtle,the sun, with his flints, with his shields, the captor of Tajmo', he of sixteen captives, the holy lord of pa'chan."

Third passage (B7-C7):

chu-ka-ja AJ-YAX-MO'-SUUTZ' ?- KAL?-TE'? tu-YAL- 2- WAL?-la BAAH-hi-si-ji-AJ *K'IN[chi]-ni-ta-bu-JOL AJ-K'AN-na-ba-na-ka U-cha-CHAN AHK-[ku]lu MO'-o-AJ-CHAK-JU'?-TE' AJ-k'a[ba]-la-XOOK?-ki U-BAAH-hi-U- 1- TAHN-na 5-?-?- IXIK-K'UH IXIK-K'UH IXIK-ki IX-CH'AJB-AJAW U-BAAH-ji-U-[CHIT]CH'AJB U-cha-CHAN-TAJ-MO'-o

Chuhkaj ajyaxmo'suutz' ?-kaloomte'?. T-u-yal cha'-wal? baah-sijaj k'inich tatbu jol, aj k'an-banak, u-chan ahkul mo', aj chak-ju'te', aj k'abal-xook?. U-baah u-juun-tahn ho'-? ixik k'uh, ixik k'uh, ixik, ix-ch'ajb-ajaw. U-baah u-chit u-ch'ajb u-chan taj mo'.

"Aj Yax Mo' Suutz' the ?-kaloomte' is captured. It is in the second ? of the head gifter?. of K'inich Tatbu Jol III, yellow-?, the master of Ahkul Mo', Aj Chak Ju'te, Aj K'abal Xook. He is the child of Lady Ch'ajb Ajaw. He is the child of the master of Taj Mo'."

Fourth passage (D7-F4):

U- 4-20- *[la]ta-I-u-ti 5- OOK *IK'-K'IN-*ni-NAL 18- SUUTZ'-OCH-chi-K'AHK' tu-WAY[*bi]-li-AJ-K'AHK' *O'-*CHAHK-ki ?- la [PA']CHAN- ?- ji?- ?-?- ji? SAK-BAAK-NAAH-CHAPAHT-TAJ-*wa-WAY-*bi 6- KAB- ?- YAX-a?-AJAW-wa ya-AJAW-wa-TOK'-AJAW-wa U-KAB-ji-ya-U-cha-CHAN a-[ku]lu-MO'-K'UH-[PA']CHAN-AJAW

U-chan-winik-lat, i-uht-i ho'-ook ik'inal waxaklajuun suutz'. Och-i-k'ahk' t-u-way-b-il aj-k'ahk'-o'-chahk, ? pa'chan-?, ?, sakbaaknaahchapaht, tajwayib, wak-kab-?, yaxajaw, y-ajaw tok'ajaw. U-kab-j-iiy u-chan ahkul ajaw k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"Four and twenty days pass, and then occurs 5 Ok (G9) 18 Sotz'. Fire enters into the dormitory (i.e., "shrine") of Aj K'ahk' O' Chahk, of ?-Pa'chan-?, of ?, of Sak Baak Naah Chapaht, of Taj Wayib, of Wak-Kab-? the Yaxa'-ajaw, vassal of the flint lord. He governed it, the master of Ahkul Mo', the holy pa'chan lord."

Fifth and final passage (E5-F8):

U- 4- la-ta I-u-ti- 9- HIX- 2- ka[*se]-wa ya-YAL-U-BAAK?- ?- mi-ch'a-HOM-ma K'INICH-ta-bu-JOL-AJ-K'AN-ba-na-ka chu[ja]-*ka- ?-?-? -k'e-se cho-ko ba-TE'-e ?- le-e ?- AJ- ?-? 6- [ke]te-U-BAAK-tzi-li-ma-CH'AJB[AK'AB] K'INICH- ?- AHK-U-ba-ki U-cha-CHAN a-ku[lu]-MO'-o-K'UH-[PA']*CHAN-AJAW

U-chan-lat, i-uht-i baluun-hix cha'-kaseew. Y-al u-baak? ?-ch'ahoom k'inich tatbu jol, aj k'an-banak. Chuhkaj? ?-K'es, chok b'aah?-te'el-e?, aj-?, wak-tek?, u-baak-tzil? ma'-ch'ajb ma'-ahk'ab, k'inich-?-ahk, u-baak u-chan ahkul mo', k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"Four days pass, and then occurs 9 Hix (G9) 2 Sek. The captive of the ?-ch'ahoom, of K'inich Tatbu Jol III, of aj k'an-banak falls. He is captured, ?-K'es; thrown he, the baahte', he of ?, six-?, the honorable captive, the powerless one, Ruler 7, the captive of the master of Ahkul Mo', of the holy lord of pa'chan."

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.98 m 0.79 m 0.87 m 0.33 m 0.8 cm

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 13, underside, 2004.15.6.5.13

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 13, underside, 2004.15.5.5.13

LOCATION When found by Maudslay this lintel had already fallen to the ground from the central doorway of Structure 20.

CONDITION Unbroken, and moderately eroded at the time of discovery. Since then further slight erosion may have occurred, to judge by Morley's photograph taken in 1931.

MATERIAL Limestone of good quality.

SHAPE The sculptured surface is flat; the edges are irregular and unsymmetrical.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.99 m 0.75 m 0.88 m 0.33 m 1.1 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.99 m
0.75 m
0.88 m
0.33 m
1.1 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1974.

DRAWING Von Euw, based on plaster casts made by Maudslay and Graham.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.16.0.14.5 1 Chikchan 13 Pop (13 February, 752)

DESCRIPTION

This lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV and his wife or consort Lady Chak Chami wielding hafted bloodletters and other bloodletting paraphernalia. A large serpent disgorges the probable form of their child, the future Shield Jaguar IV (the figure's headdress touches a reference to Shield Jaguar IV's birth in the main text, at A3). The scene is probably a metaphorical one, though many key textual passages remain eroded and obscure.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-B1):

1- CHIKCHAN ? 13- *KAN-*JAL-wa SIH?-ya-ja che-le-TE' CHAN-na-K'INICH

Juun-chikchan? uhxlajuun-k'anjalaw? sihyaj chelte' chan k'inich

"On 1 Chikchan(?) 13 Pop, Chelte' Chan K'inich is born"

Second passage (C1-D5):

U-BAAH?[AAN?]-hi? tu- ?-? ?- IX-K'UH IXIK CHAK-CHAM?-mi IX-sa-ja-la 3- WINIKHAAB IX- ? AJ?- ?- na AJ- 13- BAAK? ?-? ?- se?- ?-?

U-baahil-aan tu-... ?-ixik-k'uh ix-chak-chami ix-sajal uhx-winikhaab-ix-? aj-? aj-uhxlajuun-baak? ? ?

"She is the likeness of the goddess ?, the holy lady, Lady Chak Chami, lady sajal, the three katun lady ?, she of ?, she of 13 captives?, ...

Third passage (E1-F5):

U-BAAH[*AAN]-hi 1-?- CHAN? ya- ?- BAHLAM a- 20- BAAK U-cha-CHAN *AJ-u-ku 3- WINIKHAAB?-AJAW? K'UH?- ?- AJAW ba-ka-ba

U-baahil-aan juun-?-chan? ?-bahlam, aj-winik-baak, u-chan aj-uk, uhx-winikhaab-ajaw? k'uhul-?-ajaw, baahkab.

"He is the likeness of the waterlily serpent, Bird Jaguar IV, he of twenty captives, master of Aj Uk, 3 katun lord, holy lord of pa'chan, baahkab."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 14, underside

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 14, underside, 2004.15.5.5.14

LOCATION In situ over the right-hand (northwest) doorway of Structure 20, set with the top of the sculpture oriented toward the southeast.

CONDITION In pristine state.

MATERIAL Fine yellowish limestone.

SHAPE The carved surface is flat; the edges are parallel. The border of the sculptured area is by no means rectangular, although the slanting upper and curved lower margins conform well to the masonry jambs upon which the lintel rests.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.91 m 0.78 m 0.80 m 0.32 m 1.9 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.91 m
0.78 m
0.80 m
0.32 m
1.9 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1974.

DRAWING Graham, based on plaster cast by von Euw.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.15.10.0.1 4 Imix 4 Mol (27 Jun, 741)

DESCRIPTION

This lintel depicts Lady Chak Chami and her brother, the sajal Chak Chami, wielding hafted bloodletters and other bloodletting paraphernalia. As on Lintel 13, a large serpent disgorges the probable form of her child, the future Shield Jaguar IV. Though he is not mentioned by name in this text, both of the principal figures relate themselves to him.

The main text refers to the conjuring of the serpent (named the Chanal Chak Bay Kaan, or "towering red thorn snake"), which is related directly to Lady Chak Chami through an unclear derivation of the root way "to dream".

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (D1-F4):

4- IMIX? 4- mo-lo TZAK-ja K'AWIIL KAB?-MUWAAN [CHAN]NAL-la CHAK-ba-ya-ka-KAAN. U-WAY-ja-la-ya (or WAY-la-ja-ya ) ?- IXIK-K'UH IXIK-CHAK-CHAM IX-sa-ja ya- ?- AJAW

Chan-imix chan-mol tzahkaj k'awiil, kab?-muwaan chanal-chak-bay-kaan. U-wayjalay (or u-waylajay) ?-ixik-k'uh, ixik-chak-chami, ix-sajal, y-...-ajaw.

"On 4 Imix 4 Mol, K'awiil Kab?-Muwaan Chanalchakbaykaan is conjured. He/it is the the wayjalay (or waylajay) of the holy woman, Lady Chak Chami, lady sajal, the mother of the king."

Second passage (A1-C1):

U-BAAH[AAN]-hi-li K'UH?-IX- ?- AJAW IX-YAX-ja-la

U-baahil-aan k'uhul-ix-?-ajaw ix-yax-j-al

"She is the likeness of the holy lady of ?, of Lady Yaxjal."

Third passage (G1-G5):

U-BAAH[AAN]-li YAX-CHIT- ? AJ-tu?-ba-ye-ta CHAK-CHAM-sa-ja-la *yi-CHAN-AJAW

U-baahil-aan yax-chit-? aj-? chak-chami sajal u-chan? ajaw.

"He is the likeness of the waterlily serpent, he of ?, Chak Chami, the sajal, the guardian? of the king."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 15, underside, 2004.15.6.5.14

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 15, underside, 2004.15.5.5.15

LOCATION From the left (southeast) doorway of the central chamber of Structure 21. Maudslay describes the three sculptured lintels of this building as "almost com-pletely buried" at the time of his first visit in 1882. The following year he sent his Guatemalan assistant to dig them out; they are now in the British Museum. It is not clear whether some or all of them had until then been in situ, as Maler believed.

CONDITION Sculptured area sawn from the body of the lintel. There is one clean break across the panel; otherwise the surface is in almost pristine state. Traces of red paint remain on background areas.

MATERIAL Fine yellowish limestone.

SHAPE The carved surface is flat; the sides are parallel. The upper and lower margins are inclined in contrary senses.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.83 m 0.67 m 0.80 m 0.08 m 1.0 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.83 m
0.67 m
0.80 m
0.08 m
1.0 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1975.

DRAWING Graham, based on a drawing corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.16.3.16.19 4 *Kawak 12 Sip (24 March, 755), or

9.16.17.2.4 4 *K'an 12 Sip (20 March, 768)

DESCRIPTION

This lintel depicts Lady Wak Tuun of the Ik' polity, a wife or consort of Bird Jaguar IV. She holds bloodletting paraphernalia, and communes with a spirit called up from the otherworld. According to the text, this entity is an aspect of the waterlily serpent, itself the nagual of the lightning deity, K'awiil.

The date is uncertain due to erosion of the day name. Yet the earlier placement seems most likely given the dates and events of lintel 16 (see Tate 1992:198-199).

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

Main passage (A1-B2 and E1-G3):

4- *CHAJUK ? 12- CHAK-AT TZAK-ja YAX-CHIT? NAAH-KAAN U-WAY-ya K'AWIIL-la i-TZAK YAX-tz'a[ ? ]-wa ?- na ?- KAB?- ?- ji

Chan-chajuk? lajchan-chakat, tzahkaj yaxchitnaahkaan? U-way k'awiil. I-tzahk yax-tz'aC-aw ? ? ?

"On 4 Kawak 12 Sip, the Waterlily Serpent is conjured. He is the nagual of K'awiil. Then, she conjures? for the first time at ?"

Second passage (C1-C4):

U-BAAH-li ?- la-IXIK-K'UH IX- 6- TUUN-ni IX-IK'-AJAW IX ba-ka-ba

U-baah-il ?-ixik-k'uh ix-wak-tuun ix-ik'-ajaw ix-baahkab.

"It is the the image of the ? holy woman, Lady Six Stone, Lady of the Ik' polity, Lady Baahkab."

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.75 m 0.70 m 0.60 m 0.006 m (swan) 0.7 cm

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 17, underside, 2004.15.6.5.16

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 17, underside, 2004.15.5.5.17

LOCATION From the right-hand (northwest) doorway of the central chamber of Structure 21, from which it was removed to the British Museum in 1883 at Maudslay's instance (see comments supra on Lintel 15).

CONDITION Sculptured area sawn from body of the lintel. The surface is somewhat weathered.

MATERIAL Fine yellowish limestone.

SHAPE The carved surface is slightly concave; the edges are parallel.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.74 m 0.64 m 0.60 m 0.05 m (swan) 1.0 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.74 m
0.64 m
0.60 m
0.05 m (swan)
1.0 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1975.

DRAWING Graham, based on drawing corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

No date recorded. Based on the possible birth verb (at A3), Tate (1992:198) suggests the same date as Lintel 13. Yet the required elements for Shield Jaguar IV's name phrase are not present, and it is unlikely to be a duplicate reference to his birth.

DESCRIPTION

This lintel depicts Bird Jaguar IV and Lady Mut Bahlam of Hiix Witz (El Pajaral, Guatemala), one of his wives or consorts. She draws blood from her tongue with a thorn-studded rope, as he incises his genitals with a sharpened bone. The text suggests a penitential rite in celebration of a birth, but the absence of a date and the eroded condition of the initial passages makes the reference vague at best.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-B5 and C1-C3):

U-BAAH[AAN?]-li? ti-*MAY-ji ti-?-chi u- ?-? SIH?-ya-ja TE' ?- le ?-? SAK?-ba- ?- ja ?-?-? 3- WINIKHAAB-AJAW ya- ?- BAHLAM a- 20- BAAK K'UH- ?- AJAW K'UH- [ PA' ] CHAN-AJAW

U-baah-il-aan? ti-mayij? ti-?, u-? sihyaj? te'el?-? sak?-ba...j ? uhx-winikhaab-ajaw ?-bahlam aj-winik-baak, k'uhul-?-ajaw, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"He is the likeness of ? sihyaj te'el sak-ba...j ? in the act of sacrifice, in the act of ?, the 3 k'atun lord, Bird Jaguar IV, he of 20 captives, holy lord of ?, holy lord of pa'chan."

Second passage (D1-K1):

U-BAAH[*AAN]-li 12- IX?-AJAW IX-MUT-tu BAHLAM IX-HIX wi-tzi-AJAW IX ba-ka-ba

U-baahil-aan lajchan-ix-ajaw ix-mut-bahlam, ix-hixwitz-ajaw, ix-baahkab.

"She is the likeness of the goddess Lajchan Ix Ajaw, Lady Mut Bahlam, Lady of Hixwitz, Lady Baahkab."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 18, underside, 2004.15.6.5.17

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 18, underside, 2004.15.5.5.18

LOCATION Found by Maler lying behind, perhaps near the south corner of, Structure 22, a building which faces northeast. Maler supposed that it had spanned a rear doorway, whereas Morley assigns it to a doorway in the southeast end of the building. The lintel was removed in 1964 to the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City.

CONDITION Intact and well preserved; the stone is pitted, but practically no element of the inscription has been lost.

MATERIAL Fine-grained limestone.

SHAPE A beautifully prepared shaft with parallel sides and rectangular cross sec-tions.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.65 m 0.65 m 0.49 m 0.22 m 0.1 cm (approx.)

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.65 m
0.65 m
0.49 m
0.22 m
0.1 cm (approx.)

CARVED AREAS Underside only, with an incised inscription.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1974.

DRAWING Graham, based on a drawing corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

While it does not contain a date, and was apparently reset in Structure 22 by the Late Classic king Bird Jaguar IV (Proskouriakoff 1964: 182), it can be palaeographically dated to the late 5th or early 6th-century.

DESCRIPTION

This lintel is all-glyphic, containing 20 glyph blocks. Unfortunately, there are clear signs that the lintel was once part of a much longer narrative including the fragmentary Lintel 19 and perhaps other lintels, now lost. This, coupled with the difficult early text, make the narrative substantially less clear than one would like. At present, all that can be said with confidence is that the first half of the lintel seems to provide a list of youthful lords who stand in some unclear relationship of subordination with a higher-ranking lord named towards the end of the text.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

po?-o?-ta i-ni-cha? mu-xi? ch'o-ko mu-JOL? ch'o-ko ya- ?- ni ch'o-ko ?-? ba-TUUN AJ-YOP?-TE' AJ?-K'AN-JU'?-TE' o-to-yi-HIX CHAK-TOK?-MO'-ba-BAJ ya-na-tzi? IX-MO' CHAK-su-tz'i AJ-tz'i-ba bu-yu chu[ku?]-TE'

Po'ot? iniich? muux? ch'ok, mum? jol? ch'ok, ya...n ch'ok, ?-? b'aahtuun? aj-yopte' aj?-k'anju'te'?, otooy-hix chak-tok-mo'-baj. Y-anVtz? ix-mo' chak-suutz' aj-tz'ihb buy? kuchte'?

A translation is inadvisable at this time.

H W MTh Rel	0.41 m 0.69 m 0.18 m 0.5 cm

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 21, underside, 2004.15.6.5.19

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 21, underside, 2004.15.5.5.20

LOCATION Excavated by Maler from debris in front of the central doorway of Structure 22.

CONDITION When discovered, this lintel was cleanly broken across the middle; otherwise it was very well preserved, and remains so.

MATERIAL Fine-grained limestone.

SHAPE Carved surface is flat; the sides are parallel.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.66 m 0.99 m 0.59 m 0.20 m 0.4 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.66 m
0.99 m
0.59 m
0.20 m
0.4 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Morley, 1931.

DRAWING von Euw, based on a field drawing corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9. 0.19. 2. 4 2 K'an 2 Yax (15 October, 454)

+ 15. 1.16. 5

9.16. 1. 1. 9 7 Muluk 17 Sek (8 May, 752)

DESCRIPTION

This all-glyphic lintel is rendered in the hallmark style of the early reign of Bird Jaguar IV, and was clearly commissioned by him in conjunction with his resetting of a number of late fifth- or early sixth-century lintels in Structure 22. It records an early dedication of Structure 22 by Ruler 7 in 454, and its later refurbishing under Bird Jaguar IV almost three hundred years later.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-D2):

?-?- HAAB 9- PIK mi-WINIKHAAB 19- HAAB 2- WINIK-ki 4- K'IN-ni 2- WAAJ ? HUL ?- TI'-HUUN 5- [bi]xi-ya- ? 7- [bi]xi-ya-HUL-li-ya 3- K'AL-ja-JOL ? ?- CHAM ?-20-9 2- YAX-SIHOOM ?- ma-EL-NAAH 4- SUUTZ'-NAAL-yo-OTOOT-ti K'AHK'-U-TI'?-si-CHAN-na ja - ?-JOL 7- TZ'AK-bu-li ya-AJAW-TE'-chi- ? YOPAAT[BAHLAM]-ti K'UH- ?- AJAW K'UH- [ PA' ] CHAN-AJAW

?-haab baluun-pik mih-winikhaab baluunlajuun-haab cha'-winik chan-k'in. Cha'-waaj hulti'huun ho'-bixiiy ?, huk-bixiiy huliiy uhx-k'ahlaj-jol? ?-chami k'al-baluun cha'-yaxsihoom. Elnaah chansuutz'nal y-otoot k'ahk' ti'is chan ?, ?-jol, huk-tz'ak-bu-il y-ajawte' chi-? yopaat-bahlam, k'uhul-?-ajaw, k'uhul-[pa']chan-ajaw.

"It is the ? of the year, 9 baktuns, 0 katuns, 19 tuns, 2 winals and 4 k'ins. It is 2 K'an (G8), 5th day of ?, 7th day of the moon's arrival, the 3rd skull moon, ?-death, a 29-day moon, and 2 Yax. Four Bat Place is dedicated, it is the house of K'ahk'-Ti'is-Chan-?, Ruler 7, the seventh set-in-order lord of the lineage of the chi-? of Yopaat-Bahlam, the holy lord of ?, the holy lord of pa'chan."

Second passage (C3-D8):

5-16- WINIK-ji-ya 1- HAAB-ya 15- WINIKHAAB-ya i-u-ti 7- MULUK ? 17- ka-se-wa CHUM[mu]-[la]ja- 4- SUUTZ'-NAL TE'-ku-yu-XUKUUB?- ? CHAN-na- ? ya- ?- BAHLAM 3- WINIKHAAB-AJAW a- 20- BAAK

Ho', waklajuun-winik-j-iiy, juun-haab-iiy, ho'lajuun-winikhaab-iiy, i-uht-i huk-muluk huklajuun-kaseew. Chumlaj chansuutz'nal te'-kuy-xukuub-? chan-? ?-bahlam uhx-winikhaab-ajaw aj-winik-baak.

"5 days, 16 winals, 1 tun and 15 katuns later it happened, 7 Muluk 17 Sek. He sat in the Four Bat Place, the tree, owl, horn and ? sky god, Bird Jaguar IV, 3 katun lord, he of 20 captives."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 22, underside, 2004.15.6.5.20

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 22, underside, 2004.15.5.5.21

LOCATION Found by Maler in rubble in front of Structure 22. According to Morley, who cites some excavations by Ruppert, the front of this building had five doorways, the three central ones being spanned by carved lintels. Lintel 22 is assigned to the doorway immediately to the right, i.e., northwest, of the central opening.

CONDITION Broken at the top of the sculptured area, with slight loss of glyphic detail. When first discovered, the state of preservation varied from excellent near the top to very poor at bottom right. Further weathering has caused the loss of the red paint noted by Maler and of some fine detail.

MATERIAL Fine-grained limestone.

SHAPE Carved area is flat; the edges are slightly bowed, but essentially parallel.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.68 m 0.98 m 0.58 m 0.19 m 1.8 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.68 m
0.98 m
0.58 m
0.19 m
1.8 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1971.

DRAWING von Euw, based on a field drawing corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

This lintel does not contain a date. Nevertheless, like lintels 18 and 21, it was apparently reset in Structure 22 by Bird Jaguar IV (Proskouriakoff 1964: 182), and can be palaeographically dated to the late 5th or early 6th-century.

DESCRIPTION

As Tate (1992:202) notes, the glyphic style and monumental form of this lintel suggest that it was the pair of Lintel 20. Also like that lintel, it is all-glyphic. The text appears to begin at the outset of a parentage expression, suggesting that it continues from an earlier lintel. Unfortunately, the loss of the initial part of the text and the substantial erosion, coupled with a dearth of texts of comparable age, make a full understanding difficult to achieve.

Nevertheless, one of the K'inich Tatbu Jol names is conspicuous at B5-A6. While Martin and Grube (2000:120-1) have taken this as evidence for an attribution to the tenth king, K'inich Tatbu Jol II (Ruler 10), the name seems to be embedded in a parentage phrase, suggesting that the monument may have been commissioned by his son instead. Another difficulty stems from the repetition of this nominal phrase at Yaxchilan. In fact, given our lack of knowledge of the wives of any of the Yaxchilan kings of this time period, it seems equally possible that this lintel was commissioned by the seventh ruler, "Moon Skull" (quite possibly although not certainly the son of the eighth ruler, K'inich Tatbu Jol I).

One piece of support for this idea comes from the text of Lintel 21 which, as we have seen, refers back to the dedication of an earlier version of Structure 22 during the late fifth-century reign of "Moon Skull". It would stand to reason that this reference acknowledges the origination of the early lintels (18, 19, 20 and 22) with "Moon Skull", who would then be the son of the eighth ruler (K'inich Tatbu Jol I) and his wife or consort, Lady G1.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

Complete text (A1-D8):

?- la-si U-MIJIIN?-na i-ti pa-ti yi-pi ya-je-la ya-AL-la- ? [ CHAN ?] YOPAAT 7- CHAPAHT-TZIKIN?-K'INICH? K'INICH *ta 2 -* bu-JOL ? U?- ? K'UH-*o-OHL? ?- la-IXIK ? ? IXIK se?- ?- na ?-? 3? ?-? KAB? K'UH?- ? MIJIIN?-na TE'-*ku-*yu XUKUB?- ? [* CHAN ]? mi?-*xi-*NAL ? *PA'-*CHAN-ma *AJAW

? u-mijiin? it-i pat-i yipyajeel y-al-? chan?-yopaat, huk-chapaht-tzikin-k'inich k'inich tatbu jol, u?-? k'uh-ohl? ?-ixik ? ? ixik-? ? uhx-? ? kabal k'uh? mijiin? te'-kuy-xukuub-? chan?-? mixnal? ? pa'chan-ajaw

A translation is inadvisable at this time.

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 23, underside, 2004.15.6.7.4

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 23, underside, 2004.15.5.7.5

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 23, front, 2004.15.6.7.3

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 23, front, 2004.15.5.7.3

LOCATION Found during excavation by Roberto Garcia Moll in 1979. The lintel lay among debris in front of the doorway in the western end of Structure 23 that leads into the front chamber. It has since been placed once more over the now reconstructed doorway.

CONDlTlON Broken into two pieces. The front edge and rather more than half of the underside are in nearly pristine condition, except for some pitting and unusual erosion cavities that surround the glyph-blocks, the latter perhaps owing their origin to rows of drill holes that may have outlined the raised blocks, as have been noted on a few other sculptures, notably Dos Pilas Stela 8.

MATERIAL Fine-grained limestone.

SHAPE A well-formed lintel with parallel sides.

CARVED AREAS Underside and front edge.

PHOTOGRAPHS Graham, 1979.

DRAWINGS Graham, based on field drawings corrected by artificial light.

REMARKS I have followed Garcia Moll's suggestion that, as number 23 in Majer's numbering of the lintels came to be unassigned, that number should be assigned to this lintel. Since other lintels from the same structure are numbered 24 to 26, this is perfectly appropriate.

DIMENSIONS

Underside:	MW	0.85 m
	HSc	0.86 m
	WSc	0.67 m
	MTh	0.24 m
	Rel	0.9	cm
Front:	HSc	0.16 m
	WSc	0.86 m

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 24, underside and front, 2004.15.6.5.21

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 24, underside and front, 2004.15.5.5.22

LOCATION From the left (southeast) doorway of Structure 23. Notations by Maudslay on a manuscript and hand-colored draft of his published plan of the ruins, preserved in the Department of Ethnography, British Museum, dispose of Morley's doubts about the relative positions of Lintels 24 and 25. This lintel was brought to England by Maudslay in 1882, and reposes in the British Museum.

CONDITION The lintel has been trimmed down on all four sides of the carved area on the underside. The surface of this is in pristine state, with blue paint showing on the background in several places. The inscription on the front is destroyed. Maudslay's entry in his journal (British Museum, Dept. of Ethnography) for March 19, 1882, makes it clear that he was not to blame for this: "In afternoon found the fallen carved lintel on which Rockstroh had broken his axes — set men to work to shave it down."

MATERIAL Fine yellowish limestone.

SHAPE The carved surface is somewhat convex.

DIMENSIONS

MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	unknown 1.04 m 0.74 m unknown 4.5 cm

MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

unknown
1.04 m
0.74 m
unknown
4.5 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside and front.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1976.

DRAWING Graham, based on a drawing of the original, corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.13.17.15.12 5 Eb 15 Mak (24 October, 709)

DESCRIPTION

The lintel depicts Shield Jaguar III holding a large, flaming torch over his wife or consort, Lady K'abal Xook, who draws a thorn-studded rope through her tongue. The text explains both of these events as penitential sacrifice.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-F3):

ti- 5- EB 15- ma-MAK-U-BAAH-hi ti-CH'AJB-li ti-K'AHK'-la-ju-lu U-CH'AJB- 4- WINIKHAAB-AJAW ?- BAHLAM-U-cha-CHAN-nu a- ?- ki K'UH- [ PA' ] CHAN-AJAW-wa

Ti ho'-eb ho'lajuun-mak, u-baah ti-ch'ajb-il ti-k'ahk'al-jul. U ch'ajb chan-winikhaab-ajaw ?-bahlam, u-chan aj-?, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"On 5 Eb 15 Mak it is his image in penance with the fiery spear. It is the penance of the four k'atun lord, Shield Jaguar III, captor of Aj-?, holy lord of pa'chan."

Second passage (G1-G4):

U-BAAH-ti-CH'AJB-li IX-AK'IN?-na-XOOK?-ki IX-k'a[ba]-la-XOOK?-ki IX-KAL-TE'

U-baah ti-ch'ajb-il ix-ak'in?-xook, ix-k'abal-xook, ix-kaloomte'

"It is her image in penance, Lady Ak'in? Xook, Lady K'abal Xook, Lady Kaloomte'."

Third passage (H1-H4):

T'AB?-yi yu-lu- ? MO'-CHAHK-ki? a- ?- la

T'abayi? y-uluC mo'chahk ?

"Is elevated? the carving? of Mo' Chahk."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 25, underside, 2004.15.6.5.22

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 25, underside, 2004.15.5.5.24

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 25, front edge, 2004.15.6.5.23

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 25, front edge, 2004.15.5.5.23

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 25, detail, 2004.15.6.5.25

LOCATION From the central doorway of Structure 23. At Maudslay's instance the carved areas on the underside and the front edge were sawn off by his assistant in 1883 and sent to London. They are now in the British Museum

CONDITION The sculptured areas are intact and in pristine condition. No remains of paint are visible.

MATERIAL Fine yellowish limestone.

SHAPE The carved surfaces are convex cylindrically, the axes in both cases coinciding with the long dimension.

DIMENSIONS

Underside: MW HSc WSc MTh MTh Rel	0.85 m 1.18 m 0.74 m 0.07 m (actual) 0.29 m (reconstructed) 3.2 cm

Underside:
MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
MTh
Rel

0.85 m
1.18 m
0.74 m
0.07 m (actual)
0.29 m (reconstructed)
3.2 cm

Front: HSc WSc Rel	0.18 m 1.22 m 1.8 cm

Front:
HSc
WSc
Rel

0.18 m
1.22 m
1.8 cm

CARVED AREAS Underside and front.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1976.

DRAWING Graham, based on drawings from the original, corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.12. 9. 8. 1 5 Imix 4 Mak (20 October, 681) underside (CR)

+ 2. 2. 7. 0 - DN (underside)

9.14.11.15.1 3 Imix 14 Ch'en (1 August, 723) front (CR)

DESCRIPTION

The lintel depicts Lady K'abal Xook, the wife or consort of Shield Jaguar III. She holds bloodletting apparatus in her left hand, and also supports a skull in her outstretched right hand,.as she gazes up at a spiritual being conjured out of the otherworld. The entity wears a militaristic costume directly associated with Teotihuacan, including a tláloc face mask and mosaic war helmet, and also carries a shield and a spear pointed at both ends.

The identification of this militaristic entity is debated. Martin and Grube (2000:125) have suggested that this represents Shield Jaguar III himself, as defender of his city. Yet the associated caption text suggests that this may represent Lady K'abal Xook herself, transformed into the guise of a Teotihuacan-related goddess. In any event, the date is the same as Shield Jaguar III's accession (known from other monuments), and probably takes its rationale from his elevation to the throne.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-F4):

5- IMIX- 4- ma-MAK U-TZAK-wa-U-K'AWIIL-wi-la-li U-to-k'a-PAKAL AJ-K'AHK'-o-CHAHK-ki U-K'UH-ju-lu-tza-ku 4- WINIKHAAB-AJAW ?- BAHLAM U-cha-CHAN-nu-AJ- ?- ki K'UH- ?- AJAW-ba-ka-ba

Ho'-imix chan-mak, u-tzak-aw u-k'awiilaal u-took' u-pakal aj-k'ahk'-o'-chahk. U-k'uh-jul-tzahk chan-winikhaab-ajaw ?-bahlam u-chan aj-? k'uhul-?-ajaw, baahkab.

"On 5 Imix 4 Mak he conjured the (lightning-)power of the flints and shields of the god Aj K'ahk' O' Chahk. It is the god-spear-conjuring of the four katun lord, Shield Jaguar III, the master of Aj-?, the holy lord of ?, the baahkab."

Second passage (G1-G2 and H1-H3):

U-BAAH[AAN]-li-IX-OHL-la wi- ?- TE'-NAAH ch'a-ho-ma IX-k'a-ba-la-XOOK-ki U-yo-OOK-TE'-le TAHN-HA'-[PA']CHAN-na

U-baahil-aan ix-ohl wite'naah? ch'ahoom, ix-k'abal xook. U-yookte'-el tahn-ha'-pa'chan

"She is the likeness of Lady Yohl, the ch'ahoom of Wite'naah, Lady K'abal Xook. She is the pillar before the waters at pa'chan."

Third passage (J1-W2):

U-TZ'AK-ka-AJ mi- 7- WINIK-ya 2- HAAB-ya 2- WINIKHAAB-ya TZAK-ji-ya K'AWIIL-la TAHN-na-HA'- [ PA' ] CHAN i-u-ti 3- IMIX 14- IK'-SIHOOM ? T'AB ? -yi yu- ?[ lu ]- li yo-OTOOT-ti ?- IXIK-K'UH IX-AK'IN ?- XOOK-ki IX-k'a[ba]-la-XOOK-ki IX-KAL-TE' yo-OHL-la TAHN-na-li TAHN-na-HA'- [ PA' ] CHAN U-KAB-CH'EN U-cha-CHAN-nu AJ- ?- ki ?- BAHLAM K'UH- [ PA' ] CHAN-AJAW-wa

u-tz'ak-aj mih-huk-winik-iiy cha'-haab-iiy cha'-winikhaab-iiy tzakjiiy k'awiil tahn-ha'-pa'chan i-uht-i uhx-imix chanlajuun-ik'sihoom. T'abayi? y-u...-il y-otoot ?-ixik-k'uh ix-ak'in?-xook ix-k'abal-xook, ix-kaloomte', y-ohl-tahn-il-tahn-ha'-pa'chan. U-kab u-ch'en u-chan aj-? ?-bahlam k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"It counts 0 days, 7 winals, 2 tuns and 2 katuns since k'awiil was conjured before the waters at pa'chan, and then it happened 3 Imix 14 Ch'en. Is elevated, the carving of the house of the holy woman, of Lady Ak'in? Xook, of Lady K'abal Xook, of the lady kaloomte', at the heart of, at the front of the waters of pa'chan. It is the land and well of the master of Aj-?, Shield Jaguar III, holy lord of pa'chan."

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 26, underside, 2004.15.6.5.26

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 26, underside, 2004.15.5.5.25

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 26, front edge, 2004.15.6.5.28

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 26, front edge, 2004.15.5.5.26

LOCATION Excavated by Maler from debris in front of the right-hand (northwest) doorway of Structure 23. Removed in 1964 to the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City.

CONDITION Broken in half when found. Underside: the upper half was in pristine condition, still showing traces of blue paint; the lower half was quite badly eroded. Since discovery, erosion of the upper half has been slight; that of the lower half has been more noticeable. Front edge: when found, several areas had split off from three of the seven glyph-blocks; otherwise, it was in good condition. Since then the surviving portion of the second glyph-block has been lost, and the rest has deteriorated. At some time before Morley photographed the lintel in 1931 an attempt had been made to saw off the "upper" end of the lintel.

MATERIAL Fine yellowish limestone.

SHAPE Carved surface is slightly convex; the sides are parallel.

DIMENSIONS

Underside: MW HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.85 m 1.07 m 0.77 m 0.27 m 4.3 cm

Underside:
MW
HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.85 m
1.07 m
0.77 m
0.27 m
4.3 cm

Front edge: HSc WSc	0.19 m 1.06 m

Front edge:
HSc
WSc

0.19 m
1.06 m

CARVED AREAS Underside and front edge.

PHOTOGRAPH Underside and front: reproduced from Maler's original negatives of 1900. The two parts of his photograph of the front edge have been repositioned to correspond with the spacing established by the repair of the lintel.

DRAWING Graham, based on drawings of the original, corrected by artificial light, and on Maler's and Morley's photographs.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.14.12. 6.12 12 Eb 0 Pop (7 Feb, 724) underside (CR)

9.14.14.13.16 5 *Kib *14 Yaxk'in (21 June, 726) front (LC)

DESCRIPTION

The lintel depicts Shield Jaguar III and his wife or consort, Lady K'abal Xook. The king wears quilted cotton armor, and holds a long flint knife while the lady holds his jaguar war helmet and flexible shield out to him. The scene would thus seem to revolve around preparations for warfare, though the text provides no clear date referring to the scene. (That above the king refers to the carving date of the lintel itself, not the date of the depicted event.) Instead, there may be a reference to the king's accession, in which case it should date as the underside of Lintel 25.

The suggested date for the front text is Tate's (1992: 208) and must be regarded as tentative given the damaged condition of the long count passage.

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (S1-X1):

U-BAAH-ji ti-[jo]JOY?-ye-la ti-xi-ki-ba-le ?- na 7- CHAPAHT-TZIKIIN-K'INICH[AJAW]-wa 4- WINIKHAAB-AJAW-wa U-CHAN-nu-AJ- ? ?- BAHLAM K'UH- [ PA' ] CHAN-AJAW-wa

U-baah ti-joyeel ti-xikbal-el? ? huk-chapaht-tzikiin-k'inich-ajaw chan-winikhaab-ajaw, u-chan aj-?, ?-bahlam, k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"It is his image in accession? with the ? as the god Huk Chapaht Tzikiin K'inich Ajaw, the four katun lord, the master of Aj ?, Shield Jaguar III, holy lord of pa'chan."

Second passage (01-R1):

ti- 12- EB CHUM-K'AN[JAL]-wa T'AB?-yi yu-?[lu] K'AWIIL-CHAHK AJ-SAK-o?-ka

Ti lajchan-eb chum-k'anjalaw t'abayi y-u... k'awiil chahk, aj-sak-ook?

"On 12 Eb 0 Pop, it is elevated, the carving of K'awiil Chahk of Sak Ook."

Third passage, front text (A1-N2):

?- K'IN-HAAB *9- *PIK 14- *WINIKHAAB ?-* HAAB 12/13- WINIK ?- *K'IN ?-? NAAH-TI'-hu-na 6-? 8- HUL-li-ya U- 4- K'AL-ja- ? ma ?- U-[ch'o-ko]K'ABA' 20-10 13?- YAX-K'IN-ni OCH-K'AHK' ?-? U-K'ABA' yo-to-ti ba?-ILA?-ni ? 3- AK'IN ? ? ? ?- IXIK U-KAB-U-CH'EN ?-BAHLAM K'UH- [ PA' ] CHAN-AJAW

?-k'in-haab baluun-pik chanlajuun-winikhaab ?-haab ?-winik ?-k'in ? naah-ti'huun, wak-? waxak-huliiy u-chan-k'ahlaj? ma-u-ch'ok-k'aba' k'al-lajuun uhxlajuun?-yaxk'in. Och-i k'ahk' ? u-k'aba' y-otoot baah-iloon, ? uhx-ak'in? ? ? ?-ixik u-kab u-ch'en ?-bahlam k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw.

"It is the k'in time of the year?, 9 baktuns, 14 katuns, ? tuns, ? winals and ? k'ins. It is ? (G6), 6th day of ?, 8th day of the moon's arrival, the 4th jaguar-god moon, there is no name for this 30-day moon. It is 13? Yaxk'in. Fire enters into ?, which is the name of the house of ... ?-Lady. It is the land and well of Shield Jaguar III, holy pa'chan lord.

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 27, front edge, 2004.15.6.5.29

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 27, front edge, 2004.15.5.5.27

LOCATION Excavated by Maler from debris in front of the left-hand (southwest) doorway of Structure 24.

CONDITION Intact, and fairly well preserved.

MATERIAL Limestone.

SHAPE The shape of the lintel as a whole was not recorded.

DIMENSIONS

HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.20 m 1.07 m 0.35 m 0.50 cm

HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.20 m
1.07 m
0.35 m
0.50 cm

CARVED AREAS Front edge only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1973.

DRAWING Graham, based on a field drawing corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.13.13. 2. 5 6 Chikchan 8 Yax

+ 1.17. 5 .9 - DN

9.15.10.17.14 6 Hix 12 Yaxk'in

+ 6.*16. 0 - DN

*9.15.17.15.14 3 Hix 17 Sip [not recorded here, see L.59]

DESCRIPTION

The three lintels of Structure 24 (27, 28 and 59) are carved on their sides only and, somewht unusually for the lintels of Yaxchilan, seem entirely concerned with mortuary themes. It has been suggested that this implies a mortuary or commemorative function for Structure 24 (Martin and Grube 2000:126). The chronology above was worked out by Proskouriakoff (1963:162), including both the realization that the text of L.27 continues onto L.59 and L28, and that the winal coefficient at H2a was erroneously carved as 17 (while 16 is required).

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (A1-D2):

6- CHIKCHAN ? 8- YAX-SIHOOM-ma K'A'-yi U -[?] SAK-IK'-li ?- la-IX-K'UH 6- WINIK-HAAB-IX-KAL-TE' IX-PAKAL-?-li IX-PET-ne-AJAW-IX-ba-ka-ba

Wak-chikchan Waxak-Yaxsihoom k'a'ay-i u-?-sak-ik'-aal ?...al ixk'uh wak-winikhaab ixkaloomte' ixpakal-? Ixpetenajaw ixbahkab

"On 6 Chikchan 8 Yax, the 6 katun kaloomte', Lady Pakal, Lady of Peten, Lady Bahkab, died."

Second passage (E1-G2):

9-5- WINIK-ji-ya -17- HAAB-ya 1- WINIK-HAAB-ya-i-u-ti 6- HIX 12- YAX-*K'IN K'A'-yi-u- [?] SAK-IK' 5- WINIK-HAAB-AJAW -?- BAHLAM U-CHAN-AJ -?- ki K'UH- [ PA '] CHAN-AJAW-ba-ka-ba

baluun-ho'-winikjiiy huklajuun-haabiiy juun-winikhaabiiy i-uht-i wak-hix buluch-yaxk'in k'a'ay-i u-?-sak-ik'aal ho'-winikhaab ajaw ?-bahlam u-chan aj-? k'uhul-pa'chan-ajaw bahkab.

"9 [days], 5 score [days], 17 years and 1 score years later, 6 Hix 12 Yaxk'in came to pass [when] the five katun lord, Shield Jaguar, captor of Aj-?, divine lord of pa'chan and bahkab, died."

Third passage (H2-):

0-*16- WINIK -* ji -* ya -6- HAAB-ya Š

mih-waklajuun-winikjiiy wak-haab-iiy Š

"16 score days and 6 years later Š [text continued on Lintel 59 ( q.v. )]

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 28, front edge, 2004.15.6.5.30

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 28, front edge, 2004.15.5.5.28

LOCATION Found by Maler on the surface in front of the right-hand (northeast) doorway of Structure 24, the central doorway of which was spanned by Lintel 59.

CONDITION Intact, and fairly well preserved at one end.

MATERIAL Limestone.

SHAPE The shape of the lintel as a whole was not recorded.

DIMENSIONS

HSc WSc MTh Rel	0.21 m 1.08 m 0.37 m 0.5 cm

HSc
WSc
MTh
Rel

0.21 m
1.08 m
0.37 m
0.5 cm

CARVED AREAS Front edge only.

PHOTOGRAPH Reproduced from Maler's original negative of 1900.

DRAWING Graham, based on a field drawing corrected by artificial light.

INSCRIPTIONS

DATES

9.15.19.15. 3 10 Ak'bal 16 Uo

+ 4. 9.14 - DN (V1b-U2a)

9.16. 4. 6.17 6 Caban 10 Yax

DESCRIPTION

The three lintels of Structure 24 (27, 28 and 59) are carved on their sides only and, somewht unusually for the lintels of Yaxchilan, are entirely concerned with mortuary themes. It has been suggested that this implies a mortuary or commemorative function for Structure 24 (Martin and Grube 2000:126). The chronology above was worked out by Proskouriakoff (1963:162), including the realization that the text of Lintel 28 continues from Lintels 59 and 28 ( q.v. ).

TRANSCRIPTION, TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION

First passage (Q1-R1):

Š *IX-k'a [ ba ] -la-XOOK ? -ki

Š ixk'abal xook

"Š Lady K'abal Xook" [text continued from Lintel 59 ( q.v. )]

Second passage (Q2-V1a):

9-*19-* WINIK -* ji -* ya- 1 -HAAB-ya i-u-ti- 10 -*AK'BAL 16 -IK'-AT-K'A'-yi U- [?] SAK-IK'-li IX -1-? NAAH-ka-KAAN-IX-*UH ? CHAN-na-HUT ? -IX-AJ K'UH-na

baluun-balunlajuun-winikjiiy juun-haabiiy i-uht-i lajuun-ak'bal waklajuun-ik'at k'a'ay-i u-?-sak-ik'aal ixjuun-?-naah-kaan ixuhchan-? ixajk'uhuun

"9 [days], 19 score [days] and 1 year later, 10 Ak'bal 16 Uo came to pass, when Lady One-?-House-Snake, Lady Uhchan-?, the priestess, died."

Third passage (V1b-X2)

14-9-* WINIK- * ji- * ya 4- HAAB-ya-i-u- * ti 6- KABAN ?-10- SAK-SIHOOM-ma * OCH-K'AHK' -[?] SAK -?- la ?- WITZ-NAL-tu-MUHK-li IX -?- XOOK ?-* ki IX-k'a [ba]- XOOK ? -ki

chanlajuun-baluun-winikjiiy chan-haab-iiy i-uht-i wak-kaban lajuun-saksihoom och-i k'ahk' ?-sak-? ?-witz-nal t-u-muhk-il ix-?-xook ixk'abalxook

"14 [days], 9 score [days] and 4 years later, 6 Kaban 10 Sak came to pass, when fire entered the ?-White ?-Mountain Place, into the tomb of Lady ?-Xook, Lady K'abal Xook."

MW	0.76 m
HSc	0.86 m
WSe	0.60 m
MTh	0.41 m
Rei	0.5	cm

MW	1.04m
HSc	0.82m
WSc	0.89m
MTh	0.28 m
Rel	0.5 cm

MW	1.08 m
HSc	0.81 m
WSc	0.95 m
MTh	0.36 m
Rel	0.3 cm

MW	0.59 m
HSc	0.81 m
WSc	0.53 m
MTh	0.27 m
ReI	0.5 cm

MW	0.71 m
HSc	0.81 m
WSc	0.61 m
MTh	0.32 m
Rei	0.9 cm

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 34, underside, 2004.15.5.6.7

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 34, underside, 2004.15.6.6.6

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 34, underside, 2004.15.6.6.6

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 34, underside, 2004.15.5.6.7

LOCATION Found by Maler broken and partly fallen from its setting over the southwesternmost doorway of Structure 12. The triangular upper fragment was still( in place in 1975. Two other fragments are in storage at Yaxchilan, and a third, the bottom fragment, may be there too. A redpainted limestone fragment in the Peabody Museum (Cat. No. C-3945), which is carved in relief with one almost complete glyph and part of another, can be ascribed without doubt to this lintel. In view of the regret expressed by Maler (1903, p. 133) over the loss of other fragments of this lintel it is evident that he sent this one to the Peabody Museum to ensure its preservation.

CONDITION Broken into five known pieces and others now lost. The upper part and the Peabody Museum fragment are in pristine condition and retain their red paint. Part of the middle fragment was already badly eroded when photographed by Morley in 1931.

MATERIAL Fine-grained limestone.

SHAPE The sculptured surface is flat, and the sides seem to have been parallel.

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPH Graham, 1975.

DRAWING Graham, based on a drawing corrected by artificial light.

NOTE The positioning of the Peabody Museum fragment at D2 in the drawing is conjectural and not supported by a mating of surfaces. In his field journal for April 17, 1931 (Peabody Museum Archives), Morley describes dearing debris down to floor level in this doorway and finding two small fragments, both fitting the north, or upper, end of the lintel. No photograph or drawing of these seems to exist, nor have the fragments come to light.

DIMENSIONS

MW	0.65 m
HSc	unknown
WSc	0.55 m (approx.)
MTh	not measured
Rei	0.4 cm

MW	0.63 m (trimmed)
HSe	0.97 m
WSc	0.57 m
MTh	unknown
ReI	0.6 cm

MW	0.70 m
HSc	0.93 m
WSe	0.57 m
MTh	unknown
Rel	0.6	cm

MW	0.97 m
HSc	0.26 m
WSc	1.26 m
MTh	0.32 m
Rei	0.7 cm

MW	O.98m (underside)
HSe	0.25 m
WSe	1.22 m
MTh	0.32 m
Rei	0.8	cm

MW	0.95 m
HSc	0.25 m
WSc	1.26 m
MTh	0.32 m
Rei	0.5 cm

MW	0.93 m
HSc	1.15 m (approx.)
WSc	0.76 m
MTh	0.34 m
Rei	1.6 cm

MW	0.98 m
HSc	1.08 m
WSc	0.84 m
MTh	0.33 m
Rei	0.7 cm

MW	0.92 m
HSc	1.09 m
WSc	0.77 m
MTh	0.30m
Rei	1.8	cm

MW	0.98 m
HSc	0.98 m
WSc	0.84 m (approx.)
MTh	0.30 m
Rei	2.0 cm

MW	1.07 m
HSe	0.92 m
WSe	0.92 m
MTh	0.24 m
Rei	2.1	cm

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, underside, 2004.15.5.6.21

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, underside, 2004.15.6.6.18

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, underside, 2004.15.6.6.20

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, underside, 2004.15.5.6.21

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, detail, 2004.15.5.6.22/.23

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, detail, 2004.15.6.6.19

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, detail, 2004.15.6.6.22/.23

Photo of Yaxchilan, Lintel 46, detail, 2004.15.5.6.22

LOCATION In situ over the northwest doorway of Structure 44, where it was first seen by Maudslay in 1882.

CONDITION Cracked into five large pieces and one small one, all precariously in situ at the time of discovery. Other small fragments were never found. The large central piece fell sometime between Maler's third visit (1900) and Morley's of 1931. Much of the surface has been destroyed, perhaps by fire; elsewhere it remains in excellent condition, with red paint still in evidence.

MATERIAL Very fine-grained limestone.

SHAPE The sculptured surface is flat; the sides are parallel.

CARVED AREAS Underside only.

PHOTOGRAPHS Graham, 1973 and 1974. The whole design is shown at the usual scale of 1:10 in a photograph of Maudslay 's plaster cast in the British Museum. The detail photographs are of the original.

DRAWINGS Graham, based on a drawing corrected by artificial light, the cast having been studied as well as the original.

NOTE Morley designated the glyph columns on the lintels and hieroglyphic steps of Structure 44 as a single series, running from A to J ". His scheme is presented graphically in The Inscriptions of Peten (Morley 1937-38, fig. 27). As the column letters allocated by him for this lintel began with A", the lintel-by-lintel nomenclature employed in the present work for this structure involves simply the suppression of the double prime: thus A, B, C, etc., instead of A", B", C".

DIMENSIONS

MW	1.04 m
HSc	0.96 m (approx.)
WSc	unknown
MTh	0.26 m
Rei	1.7 cm

MW	0.68 m
HSc	0.97 m
WSc	0.55 m
MTh	0.25 m
Rei	0.7 cm

MW	0.67 m
HS,	0.98 m
WS,	0.55 m
MTh	0.23 m
ReI	0.7 cm

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, schematic, 2004.15.15.1.208

NOMENCLATURE The six steps of the stairway are numbered here from top to bottom in Roman numerals I to VI. The blocks within each step are numbered from the left or northern end:I-1, I-2, etc. However, since the inscription runs from block to block as a continuous text uninterrupted by framing borders, and since in many instances part of a particular glyph is carved on one block with the rest of it on the next, the glyphs cannot be assigned letter designations on a block-by-block basis; instead these designations must be applied in a single series for the whole of each step, notwithstanding the uncertainties of doing so in badly weathered passages.

The conventional labeling of glyph blocks, with letters applied horizontally and numerals vertically, would have involved the use of double and triple primes for this inscription, To avoid such clumsy designations, the glyphblocks on these steps, as well as those of H5.5, are numbered rather than lettered. In an example of evidently poor planning, the sculptors of this inscription were obliged to introduce a double row of glyphs toward its end. In order to preserve the proper reading order, numerals have been applied to pairs of columns in this section. In accordance with Morley's practice, the left and right columns of such pairs can be distinguished by the addition of the letters a and b to the glyph-block number and the upper and lower halves by the addition of u.h. and l.h. Reference to such a glyph may therefore take this form: YAX:HS.1,83b,l.h.

LOCATION The lower steps of the stairway were discovered by Maler, the upper steps remaining obscured by debris until cleared by members of the Carnegie Institution expedition of 1931. The stairway is part of Structure 5, a platform of some size constructed on the river bank, with its rear overlooking the seasonally submerged "masonry pier" and its front forming the central element of the northeastern side of the largest plaza at Yaxchilan. The Hieroglyphic Stairway provides access to the platform from this plaza.

CONDITION Most of the 111 blocks forming this stairway remain in position, or have been only slightly disturbed. One block (VI-2) has fallen forward and now lies beneath the roots of a tree. A few are broken into several pieces, and many have had one or two pieces broken from them. (Some of these we were able to restore to their original position for photography.) Unfortunately, the general condition of the sculptured risers is deplorable, much of the stone having become very soft.

MATERIAL Limestone. Three of the blocks (1-9, IV-7, and V-13) are set with their bedding planes vertical and perpendicular to the plane of the risers.

DIMENSIONS Step I is 13.55 m long; the lengths of the others lie between 13.75 and 13.90 m. The widths of the treads, ascending from Step VI to Step II, are 0.90, 1.00, 0.80, 0.65, and 0.65 m.

CARVED AREAS Risers only. Study of the large cartouches, especially that on Block I-17, raises the possibility that they may have been carved over the original text.

PHOTOGRAPHS The entire stairway was photographed by Graham step by step in 1970, and again with better lighting in 1980. Unfortunately, some of the latter series were ruined during development. The published photographs are taken from both series.

DRAWINGS Graham, based on field drawings corrected by artificial light.

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step I, 2004.15.5.7.9

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step I, 2004.15.15.1.210

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step II, 2004.15.5.7.10

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step II, 2004.15.15.1.212

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step III, 2004.15.5.7.11

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step III, 2004.15.15.1.214

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step IV, 2004.15.5.7.12

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step IV, 2004.15.15.1.216

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step V, 2004.15.5.7.13

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step V, 2004.15.15.1.218

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step VI, 2004.15.5.7.14

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 1, Step VI, 2004.15.15.1.220

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, schematic, 2004.15.15.1.221

NOMENCLATURE The blocks constituting this step are numbered in Roman numerals I to XIII. Individual hieroglyphs may be referred to in this form: YAX:HS.2-VII, Al.

LOCATION The step was discovered by Roberto Garcia Moll in 1975 during his program of clearing and consolidating Structure 33. The step is the last in the long ascent to this temple, and it runs nearly the full width of the building. The thirteen carved blocks extend slightly beyond the two outer doorways of the temple, the step itself continuing in both directions with uncarved and less massive blocks. (See the sketch plan on this page. This has been drawn to include Stela 31, the incised stalactite, in order to remedy the incorrect position given it in the site plan, pp. 3:6,7.)

CONDITION As found, the three central blocks, VI to VIII, were in a nearly pristine state. In common with the others they have suffered some damage to their upper edges from falling masonry. The other blocks (of clearly different style and origin) were more weathered, some of them being almost obliterated. The only block from which a substantial portion is missing is Block IV.

MATERIAL Limestone, of various qualities. The three central blocks are of yellowish stone of uniform fine grain.

SHAPE Most of the blocks are well trimmed, with dressed treads, although they lack depth below the carved area such as is commonly found in the sculptured steps of the Maya.

CARVED AREAS Risers only.

PHOTOGRAPHS Graham, 1975.

DRAWINGS Graham, based on field drawings corrected by artificial light.

DIMENSIONS

Block	Ht	MW	HS,	WS,	Rel (cm)
I	0.40	0.77	0.27	0,60	1.0
II	0.42	0.96	0.30	0.77	0.2
III	0.42	0.86	0.32	0.72	0.5
IV	0.35	0.80	0.26		02
V	0.32	0.87	0.26	0.69	0.2
VI	unknown	0.81	0.35	0.70	3.5
VII	unknown	1.65	0.38	1.53	4.0
VIII	unknown	0.97	0.33	0.84	3.0
IX	0.56	1.10	0.30	0.81	0.2
X	0.36	0.88	0.25	0.69	0.2
XI	0.38	0.75	0.27		0.3
XII	0.36	0.68	0.26	0.52	0.2
XIII	0.36	0.85	0.28	0.65	incised

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps I thru IV, 2004.15.5.7.15-18

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps I and II, 2004.15.15.1.223

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps III and IV, 2004.15.15.1.224

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps V and VI, 2004.15.5.7.19-20

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Step V, 2004.15.15.1.225

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Step VI, 2004.15.15.1.226

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Step VII, 2004.15.5.7.22

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Step VII, 2004.15.15.1.222

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps VIII thru X, 2004.15.5.7.26-29

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Step VIII, 2004.15.15.1.228

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps IX and X, 2004.15.15.1.229

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps XI thru XIII, 2004.15.5.7.30-32

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 2, Steps XI, XII, and XIII, 2004.15.15.1.230

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, schematic, 2004.15.15.1.231

NOMENCLATURE The hieroglyphic stairway is made up of pairs of inscribed steps giving access to each of the three doorways of Structure 44. The six blocks are numbered here in Roman numerals I to VI, passing from upper to lower step and from southeastern to northwestern doorway, i.e., from the doorway of Lintel 44 to that of Lintel 46. Individual hieroglyphs may be referred to in this form: YAX:HS.3-VI,Al. See the note below for concordance between Morley's designation of glyphblocks and that employed here.

LOCATION Block III was discovered in 1900 by Maler, although it was not recognized by him as a step. Its true nature became clear in 1931 when Karl Ruppert of the Carnegie Institution cleared the doorways and discovered the other five blocks of the stairway. All of them were in place, whereas Block III had at some time in the past been pulled out and left lying upside down near the edge of the terrace.

All three upper steps are considerably wider than the doorways in front of which they were set: Block I has a sculptured tread 1.53 m wide, whereas the doorway is only 1.06 m wide. At some time after the steps had been put in place, and perhaps in response to fears for the stability of the building, a reinforcing wall 30 cm thick was built along the front wall of the building, with openings corresponding exactly with the original doorways. This wall obscured nearly half the width of those parts of the sculptured area of each upper step that extended beyond the doorjambs on either side. I am much indebted to Roberto Garcia Moll for consenting in 1979 to have the relevant portions of the wall dismantled in order to reveal the hidden areas of sculpture. In passing, it may be mentioned that Morley was mistaken in stating that these areas were covered when the doorway was narrowed (Morley . 1937-38, vol. 2, pp. 448, 452). It is noteworthy that this wall remains intact on both sides of the central doorway; this means that Block III had already been removed from its presumed original setting when this wall was built.

The five steps found in situ by Ruppert remain where found, but not Block III; it has disappeared. Perhaps it was removed in 1964 when other pieces were being taken to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia and was lost during the journey upstream to Agua Azul, or at some other stage. Most unfortunately no photograph seems to exist of the riser, which Maler mentions as having been carved with eight double glyph-blocks.

CONDITION All six blocks were intact when found. The treads of the upper steps were in good condition; the risers still extant have suffered significant loss through erosion and fracture and are obscured in places by deposits of lime. Of the lower steps, Block IV is well preserved; the other two are badly weathered.

DIMENSIONS	Treads:	I	II	III	IV	V	V1
	Ht	1.65	1.46	1.98	over 1.80	1.61	1.43
	MW	0.72	0.75	0.75	0.70	0.71	0.78
	HSc	1.53	1.29		1.20	1.52	1.34
	WSc	0.60	0.61		0.58	0.60	0.70
	Rel	1.0cm	1.5 cm		0.9 cm	1.0 cm	1.5 cm
	Risers:
	Ht	0.30		0.30		0.32
	HSc	0.22				0.18
	WSc	1.49				1.47

MATERIAL Limestone.

SHAPE The upper steps were worked into impressive rectangularity; the lower, which were to be set into the plaster floor of the terrace, are less regular in outline.

CARVED AREAS Blocks I, III, V: tread and riser. Blocks II, IV, VI: tread only.

PHOTOGRAPHS Graham, 1976 and 1979, except for the photograph of Block III, which is Maler's (printed from a copy negative, the original being lost).

DRAWINGS Graham, based on field drawings corrected by artificial light, except for the drawing of Block III, which is based on Maler's and Morley's photographs.

NOTES Calculation indicates a uinal coefficient of 2 in the Distance Number at A5 on Block I but one dot and two fillers are shown. However, the relief of the crescent fillers is shallower than in the rest of the inscription, and the dot is scarcely perceptible. This suggests the possibility of an attempt having been made to correct the mistake, with the crescents perhaps being filled in with plaster.

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step I tread, 2004.15.5.7.33

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step I tread, 2004.15.15.1.232

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step I riser, 2004.15.5.7.34

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step I riser, 2004.15.15.1.233

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Steps II and III, 2004.15.5.7.35-36

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step II, 2004.15.15.1.234

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step III, 2004.15.15.1.235

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step IV, 2004.15.5.7.37

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step IV, 2004.15.15.1.236

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step V, 2004.15.5.7.38

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step V tread, 2004.15.15.1.237

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step V riser, 2004.15.15.1.238

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step VI, 2004.15.5.7.40

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 3, Step VI, 2004.15.15.1.239

NOMENCLATURE The three inscribed blocks are numbered in Roman numerals I to III from southeast to northwest, that is, left to right. Individual hieroglyphs may be referred to in this form: YAX:HS.4-3,Bl.

LOCATION The steps were discovered in 1980 by Roberto Garcia Moll in the course of clearing and consolidating Structure 41. The three inscribed blocks are set into a step that runs the full width of the building, each step being set directly in front of one of the doorways.

CONDITION Block I: part of the carved surface carrying Column D of the inscription and a fragment carrying the central portion of the Introducing Glyph have split off, only the latter having come to light. Erosion varies from moderate to serious in different areas of the surface. Block II: broken into three or four pieces, only two of which have survived. Erosion of the surface has rendered the inscription illegible. Block III: intact and moderately well preserved.

MATERIAL Limestone of grayish color with, in the case of Block I, a pronounced laminar texture.

SHAPE Block III is well fashioned; the other two may have resembled it.

CARVED AREAS Tread only.

PHOTOGRAPHS Graham, 1980.

DRAWINGS Graham, based on field drawings corrected by artificial light.

DIMENSIONS

	Block I	Block II	Block III
HI	1.20 m	0.89 m	1.40 m
MW	0.50 m	0.58 m	0.72 m
HSc	1.01 m		1.05 m
WSc	0.38 m plus		0.44 m
MTh	0.08 m	0.16 m	0.18 m
Rel	0.4 cm		0.9 cm

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 4, Step I, 2004.15.5.7.41

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 4, Step I, 2004.15.15.1.240

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 4, Step II, 2004.15.5.7.42

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 4, Step III, 2004.15.5.7.43

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 4, Step III, 2004.15.15.1.241

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 5, schematic, 2004.15.15.1.242

NOMENCLATURE The stone blocks constituting the step are numbered 1 through 45 without regard to the missing blocks that evidently preceded number 1 at the southeast end. However, in numbering the glyphblocks the lost section has been taken into consideration by starting the numeration at 36, a number reckoned large enough to include the glyph-blocks now missing. In view of this, strict adherence to the usage recommended in the Introduction (p. 1:11, note 2) requires that glyph-block designations in this step be prefixed by p, for provisional. The suggested form for referring to a particular glyph is thus YAX:HS.5, p152.

Two blocks both carved with hieroglyphs in two rows were found close to the step and so are likely to have bome some relation to it in their original setting; they have therefore been designated HS.5a and HS.5b.

LOCATION The step runs across the front, or northeast side, of Structure 20, 1.80 m from the facade and about 5 m from the edge of the terrace. The step also serves two flanking buildings not yet excavated at the time of writing, the one to the southeast being only a low mound. For some reason all of the blocks that formed the step in front of this flanking mound have decayed, some to the point of disappearance. Proof that they too were inscribed, however, is provided by the outline of a cartouche on one block. The two blocks, HS.5a and HS.5b, were found lying in debris, one above and one below the step, near the gap between Stones 22 and 25.

The existence of the step was unknown until the temple was cleared of debris by Roberto Garda Moll in 1980, prior to consolidation of the masonry.

CONDITION As mentioned above, the first part of the inscription, some 6 m long, is completely destroyed. The next part, that lying in front of Structure 20 proper, has suffered serious fracturing in places from the impact of stones falling from the high facade. There are also three gaps in this stretch. Beyond the temple no serious damage is seen, and the inscription remains in good condition, having been covered by slump from the northwest flanking mound (which may lie closer to the step than is shown in the sketch plan).

MATERIAL Limestone.

SHAPE Well-trimmed rectangular blocks. The depth of stone below the lower edge of the inscription runs up to 0.30 m. Block 18, set in front of the central doorway, is much wider (1.61 m) than the others.

CARVED AREAS Risers only.

PHOTOGRAPHS Graham, 1981.

DRAWINGS Graham, based on complete stereophotographic coverage.

DIMENS10NS

Blocks	HSc 0.18 m average
1-45:	Rel	0.9	cm
	Total length 29.20 m

HS.5a:	MW		0.42 m
	WSc		0.38 m
	Ht		0.39 m
	HSc		0.28 m
	Rel		0.7	cm
HS.5b:	MW		0.34 m
	WSc		0.30 m
	Ht		0.39 m
	HSc		0.28 m

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 5, Blocks 36 thru 130, 2004.15.15.1.243

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 5, Blocks 36 thru 130, 2004.15.15.1.244

Photo of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 5, Blocks 131 thru 174, 5a, 5b, 2004.15.15.1.245

Drawing of Yaxchilan, Hieroglyphic Stairway 5, Blocks 131 thru 174, 5a, 5b, 2004.15.15.1.246

MW	0.65 m
HSc	0.67 m (approx.)
WSc	0.52 m (approx.)
MTh	0.21 m
Rel	0.1 cm (approx.)

Yaxchilan Vols. 3.1 – 3.3

Ian Graham and Eric von Euw. 1977 Peabody Museum Press

Ian Graham. 1979, 1982 Peabody Museum Press

Other Names for the Site expand_more

Location and Access expand_more

Principal Investigations at the Site expand_more

Notes on the Ruins expand_more

Register of Inscriptions at Yaxchilan expand_more

Notes expand_more

References Cited expand_more

Site Volume Reference expand_more

Book Author Reference expand_more

Inscriptions at Yaxchilan

Lintel 1 expand_more

Location

Condition

Material

Shape

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Photograph

Drawing

Inscriptions

Dates

Description

Transcription, Transliteration and Translation

First passage (A1-I2):

Second passage (E1-K3):

Lintel 2 expand_more

Location

Condition

Material

Shape

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Photograph

Drawing

Inscriptions

Dates

Description

Transcription, Transliteration, and Translation

First passage (A1-E1, K1-N1, O1-O4 and P1-Q1):

Second passage (F1-H1, I1-I2, J1-J3):

Lintel 3 expand_more

Location

Condition

Material

Shape

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Photograph

Drawing

Inscriptions

Dates

Description

Transcription, Transliteration, and Translation

First passage (A1-D3, G1-H2 and I1-J3):

Second passage (F1-F4):

Lintel 4 expand_more

Location

Condition

Material

Shape

Dimensions

Note

Carved Areas

Photograph

Drawing

Inscriptions

Dates

Description

Transcription, Transliteration, and Translation

Lintel 5 expand_more

Location

Condition

Material

Shape

Dimensions

Carved Areas

Photograph