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(Video text) Discovered abandoned in 1576 by the Spaniard Diego García de Palacio, the Ruins of Copán (Honduras) represent the culmination of Mayan art insomuch as its sculptures and text inscriptions are one of a kind in the Mayan world.
Despite not having imposing pyramids like those at Tikal, Guatemala, the site of the Ruins of Copán contains all the typical structures normally associated with the classical Mayan period (250-900 A.D.): a central plaza, sculpted totems or stelas, and a field where the famous "ball game" was played.
But even more important than the formidable structures are the sculptures and impressive inscriptions on the hieroglyphic stairway, which make Copán a place of vast importance to archeologists as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A FOCUS ON SCULPTURE
"Copán is a unique Mayan urban center because of its emphasis on sculpture." -The Museo de Copán
According to the Museo de Copán: "[Copán has] the greatest number of sculpted, commemorative stelae and altars" of all the Mayan empire.
A sculpted stela.
A sculpted stela, in front of the hieroglyphic staircase.
It also has "[n]umerous complex stone sculptures decorating the edifices".
The "aquatic bird," one of the most celebrated sculptures of the Mayan world.
WRITING ON STONE: THE HIEROGLYPHIC STAIRCASE
The site of Copán houses a true literary jewel: the longest textual inscription in all of the Mayan world. These petroglyphs are sculpted in the front face of each of the stairs of the long central staircase.
THE TEMPLE OF ROSALILA: SACRED BEAUTY, INTERRED
(Video text) The Temple of Rosalila, whose color is the source of its name (rose>>Rosalila), was constructed as a sacred place where different ceremonies were carried out. Despite its importance, another pyramid was erected on top of it, covering it, hiding it, and, as a result, preserving it intact until its discovery in 1989.
This photograph is of the reproduction of the Temple of Rosalila, which still stands protected underneath Pyramid 16.
DECADENCE AND COLLAPSE OF THE MAYA
The classical Mayan period, which ends in 900 A.D., marks what we could call the beginning of the end of the Mayan civilization as such. It went into decadence and, for reasons we are not completely aware of yet, the Mayan civilization simply collapsed. In effect, the cities were abandoned for some centuries.
This is the case with Copán, as after having been described by Diego García de Palacio in the end of the 16th century, it did not get much attention until the 19th century. Currently, the Ruins of Copán consitute a place of some importance because of its architecture, sculpture, and petroglyphs.
Below are various images taken from different perspectives to give a general overview of the grandeur and beauty of the site.
Thank you for visiting the digital exhibit of the Ruins of Copán via the Digital Museum of Hispanic Culture for the classes SPAN 304/305 at Liberty University.
Please do take a moment to view the other exhibits in our Museum.
Author of the Exhibit: Dr. Andrew Milacci, professor of SPAN 304.
Credits:
Photos taken by and property of Andrew Milacci. Map screenshot via Google Maps.