Copan, Honduras

Copan is one of the five principal Mayan cities, the others being Tikal, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and
 Palenque. Tikal has the most detailed carvings.  People have been living in the Copan valley since at
 least 1200 BC, but it flourished from about 250 AD to 900 AD.  The remains of over 3000 structures
 have been found in a 24 sq. km area surrounding the Principal group.  The excavations indicate that as
 many as 20,000 people lived in the Copan Valley at the peak of the Mayan civilization here around the
 end of the 8th century AD.   The decline of Copan has been attributed to what we would call inner-city
 expansion and loss of agricultural lands.  Expansion of the urban core forced agricultural and
 residential areas onto hillsides.  There the deforestation resulted in massive erosion and flooding
 during the rainy season. Skeletal remains of people who died during the final years of Copan show
 marked evidence of malnutrition and infectious diseases as well as decreased lifespans.

 


 Temple on the East side of the West Plaza.
The tunnel entrance to the Rosa Temple located underneath this temple is on the left. Altar Q is on the right next to the group of people.


This is a replica of the Rosa Temple which was found intact under the temple in the right picture.  Note the size of this museum replica by noting the person standing on the left side by the bright path.


Altar Q in front of the temple on the West Plaza.  The relief around the sides show the 16 kings leading up to Yax Pac. 


Looking north across the East Plaza 
also  known as Plaza de los Jagurares.



Doorway with original wooden beams.


Ed with the Great Plaza behind and below


Raised temple in the Great Plaza.


Front of a temple now in the museum.


Stela C (782 AD) honoring Rabbit 18.
Note the reddish paint remaining.


Ed and Norma in front of Stela 4 from 
Rabbit 18's time (731 AD).


Norma next to the Stala A of Rabbit 18 (731 AD).
  This original stala was moved into the museum to protect it from further erosion due to weather 
(Marshall Payn, this picture is for you)


The Acropolis on the West Plaza


A large relief from a temple entrance, now in the museum.


Parrots being fed at the entrace to the temple grounds.