Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/262

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196
A STUDY OF THE MANUSCRIPT TROANO

the one by Nahau Pech (a well-known family at the time of Montejo's arrival) is many years older, probably dating the first year of the 13th Ahau, which would, according to his statement, be the first of the 4th great cycle.

If we assume that these great periods were numbered in regular order, 1, 2, 3, 4, which is more than probable, as they were but seldom referred to, then we have evidence here that the Itzae record ran back three great cycles—936 years before the year A. D. 1519, that is to the year 583 of the Christian era. In order that we may compare this calculation with the manuscript, I will give here a list of the Ahaues, commencing with number 8, previous to the beginning of the 1st great cycle as counted after Nahau Pech, with the years of the Christian era corresponding to their last years.

The three great cycles completed at the time of Nahau Pech's prophecy (if such be the proper interpretation of his words) I presume beign