: A Possible Solution of the Number Series on Pages 51 to 58 of the Dresden Codex by Guthe Carl E Carl Eugen - Codex Dresdensis Maya

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PAPERS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION OF THE NUMBER SERIES ON PAGES 51 TO 58 OF THE DRESDEN CODEX

CARL E. GUTHE

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. PUBLISHED BY THE MUSEUM 1921

The solution set forth in this paper formed a part of a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, taken in Anthropology at Harvard University.

Thanks are due Dr. A. M. Tozzer of Harvard University, and Mr. S. G. Morley of The Carnegie Institution of Washington, for the interest they have taken in my work and the valuable aid they have given. I must thank especially Professor R. W. Willson of the Astronomical Department of Harvard for the inestimable help and unfailing patience he has contributed to my work. There are many statements throughout this paper which are the direct result of his teachings.

I wish also to thank Mr. Charles P. Bowditch, without whose inspiration and aid this work would not have been accomplished.

CARL E. GUTHE ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS July, 1919

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION OF THE NUMBER SERIES ON PAGES 51 TO 58 OF THE DRESDEN CODEX

DESCRIPTION

In the Dresden Codex, one of the three Maya manuscripts in existence, there is found a series of numbers covering eight pages, 51 to 58 . As early as 1886, Dr. F?rstemann recognized this series as an important one, and one which probably referred to the moon in some way. Each page is divided into an upper and a lower half designated, respectively, "a" and "b." Pages 51a and 52a form a unit in themselves, but are clearly associated with the remaining pages. The probable meaning of this group is still so doubtful that it has been deemed best to omit entirely a discussion of it at the present time. The remaining sections of these pages form one long series of numbers which should be read from left to right, beginning at 53a, reading to 58a, continuing on 51b, and ending the series at 58b.

Each half-page is divided, horizontally, into four sections. The upper section consists of two rows of hieroglyphs. The section just below it contains a series of black numbers which increase in value from left to right. The third section consists of three rows of day glyphs with red numbers attached to them. The interval between the glyphs in successive rows can, of course, be mathematically obtained. The last, and bottom, division of the page is filled with a series of black numbers which are of three values only, namely, 177, 148, and 178, of which the first is the most frequent. At more or less regular intervals a vertical strip is run from the top of the half-page to the bottom. This strip contains, in the upper part, eight or ten glyphs. Below them in all but the first strip is a constellation band, and below that a figure of some kind. These strips divide the number series into groups, and are called "pictures," occurring on ten of the fourteen half-pages. Considered vertically the pages are composed of columns. Each column contains, beginning at the top, two hieroglyphs, a long number, three day glyphs, and their numbers, and finally, at the bottom, a short number. The pictures occur between these columns.

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