Epigraphy
Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions, especially those on ancient stone. Yo'okop has glyphs present on glyph blocks (once part of a structure), on stelae (large stone slabs designed to stand upright), and (in a very eroded form) on an altar. The ancient Maya also had bark paper books, but such books are very rare. Yo'okop's epigraphers are Ruth Krochock, Linnea Wren, and Travis Nygard.
Drawings and analyses of epigraphic materials are available in the 2000 and 2001 reports, posted on the main page.
Here is one of the glyph blocks, Stone D (background
colored with charcoal for clarity), located in Group A. The face on the
lower right is that of K'awil, a Maya deity. K'awil is also sometimes referred
to as God K. K'awil, who symbolizes the embodiment of spiritual force in
material objects (Freidel et al. 1993), is often displayed as part of royal
regalia.
This glyph block, Stone F (left with charcoal, right without), is also located in Group A. Its dimensions match that of the above block, so it is believed to have been part of the same construction, although it was found in a different part of the Group. It may contain part of a date, including the number eight.
Here are drawings of glyph blocks B, C, D, E, and F from the 2001 report.
This is (half of) Stela 1. The lower half of the stela is pictured here; we have not yet located the upper portion. The stela is resting on its side, with the feet of the individual at left.
Click HERE for a line drawing of Stela 1.
This is Stela 2. It shows a ballplayer at rest. The portion of the stela below the ballplayer is missing and has not yet been located.
Click HERE for a line drawing of Stela 2.
We also relocated Stela 3 in 2000. As you can see, the stela is in very poor condition. Only very limited portions of the front are visible; these reveal a king in royal regalia. Fortunately, some glyphs towards the front left and on the left side are in better condition. These are pictured below and in the linked LINE DRAWING of part of Stela 3.
While walking up the path to Group A one day, Dave found Altar 1.
This is Altar 1. It once had at least three circular rows of glyphs. Today only the outlines of the glyphs are preserved. Altar 1 was located on Sacbe 1. Sacbeob are ancient Maya roads. Sacbe 1 connected Groups A and B.
