This stepped pyramid is located on the Sun Court of the Great Plaza. Research by Honduran scholars has found that the monuments in the Sun Court were designed by the ancient Maya to facilitate solar observations throughout the year. This pyramid was used to facilitate observations of solstices, equinoxes, and zenith passages of the Sun.
Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic
The Great Plaza and the Acropolis beyond comprise the main sections of Copán, where many structures were built by 18-Rabbit. In addition to the restored center of the city, archaeologists have registered 3,450 ancient buildings.
Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic
Stela A, one of Copán's "stone trees." The carved image is that of king 18-Rabbit, shown in spectacular regalia along with heiroglyphic texts and the Long Count calendar date of 9.14.19.8.0, or 731 CE. The volcanic tuff used to carve the sculptures allowed the Maya artists to give the figures a three dimensional quality and elaborate detail. The hieroglyphs include historical information about the rulership of 18-Rabbit.
Research by Honduran astronomers suggests that this sculpture, Stela D, was used by the ancient Maya as a solar clock to time rituals and celebrations. Analysis of the stela’s shadows demonstrates how the Maya registered seasonal markers throughout the year. The carved serpents represent the Sun during solstices, equinoxes, and zenith passages.
The Hieroglyphic Stairway, with more than 1,250 glyph blocks, is the longest inscribed hieroglyphic text of the Americas. The histories of battles and conquests are carved on the face of wide steps going up a tall pyramid. The story highlights the accomplishments of the ancestors of King "Smoke Shell."
Ball Court A, one of three courts at the site, is the second largest in Mesoamerica behind the Great Ball Court at Chichén Itzá. The ballgame was played using a heavy, solid rubber ball. The players would hit it with hips and thighs covered by protective gear. The Mesoamerican ballgame had cosmic meaning for the ancient Maya, with the ball symbolizing a celestial object and the court itself serving as a portal to the world of the ancestors and deities.
Sculpted stone macaws grace the walls of Ball Court A. At Copán the macaw is associated with the Sun and its movement across the sky.
Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic
A scarlet macaw, one of dozens that fly freely and live at the site, is preening its feathers. With its bright yellow, red, and blue feathers and graceful flight, the Macaw is a fitting symbol of the Sun.
Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic
The original Altar Q found in the Acropolis now sits protected within the Sculpture Museum. The dynastic line of royal Copán is frozen on the four sides of this square altar. The portraits of 16 rulers are shown in historical order, each in full regalia and seated above the glyph that spells his name. The altar was commissioned by the last ruler, Yax Pasaj, in the year 776 CE.
Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic
The Popol Nah, which means "Community House" in Mayan, is where the ruler of Copán would gather with his court and principal advisors to make important decisions affecting the state. It was built by the fourteenth ruler, K'ak' Joplaj Chan K'awil in the year 746 CE. Council houses are still in use among the Maya people today.
Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic
Several tunnels, dug at Copán as part of archaeological investigations, uncovered many buried buildings. Deep under Temple 16 is the Rosalila, found in almost intact shape by Honduran Archaeologist Ricardo Agurcia Fasquelle. Rosalila features K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo', the first ruler of the dynasty, in a mythological composition with the celestial bird Maya deity Itzamna'. This full-size reproduction sits at the Copán Sculpture Museum.
Sculpture detail showing a personage holding a rabbit as a representation of the Moon.
Exquisite sculpture of Chaac, the god of rain. A cormorant bird with a fish clasped in its beak sprouts from the head of the deity.
Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic
