Palenque texts have been studied extensively since the
"Round Table" was held at Palenque, in 1973. We can now
provide an outline of the dynastic history of Palenque. For
example, the Lord Shield Pacal was born in 9.8.9.13.0 (A.D. 603),
ascended the throne in 9.9.2.4.8 (A.D. 615), and died in 9.12.11.
5.18 (A.D. 683). His parents were Kan Bahlum Moo and Zac
Kuk, and his children Chan Bahlum and Kan Xul Ⅱ. However
many other matters which remain to be deciphered are described
in the texts.
In this paper I have followed the same methodology and
format as used in my earlier paper on the Naranjo texts [YASUGI
1986]. That is, all readable dates were first extracted from
available texts and arranged chronologically. Calendrical
glyphs were then examined for variations and stylistic change.
Many new glyphs were invented in Palenque but stylistic
change is not clearly discernible, since the period of their utilization
was short. But texts provide good examples of glyphic
interchangeability, and many synonymous glyphs are used.
One affix (T 679), which functions like a preposition, is
attached to a glyph in a glyph block. It does not stand alone,
but glyphs to which the affix is attached occur by themselves.
According to the definition used here, a glyph is composed of
grapheme(s) and occupies a glyph block with a squared appearance.
Many graphemes have either a geometric or a human
form, and are known as the "normal form" and "head variant"
respectively. They are variant forms of the same value.
Gencrally, there is one glyph in one glyph block. Sometimes,
however, one glyph block is composed of two or more glyphs.
Main signs and affixes are defined according to their size and
position within glyphs. Main signs are the Iargest and central
graphemes and affixes are joined to the main sign. In other
words, a glyph is composed of main sign土affix(es).
Maya writing is classified typologically as logosyllabic,
because there are logograms and phonograms, as in the Pacal
glyph(Fig.28). But if a glyph is defined as main sign±affixes,
it can be said that Maya glyphs are not composed of a fixed set,
but join grammatical affix(es) when occasion demands. For
example, T 679 functions like a preposition and can be attached
to a main sign. Thus, phraseograms, which express a phrase in
one glyph, exist in the Mayan writing system.
In chapter IV those clauses and phrases in which names of
rulers and Gods appear are analyzed. In chapter V other glyphs
not treatcd in chapter IV, such as "birth glyphs", "accession
glyphs", "number four and sky glyphs", are discussed.