What is the Maya site of Copan?
Discovered in 1570 by Diego García de Palacio, the Maya site of Copan is one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilization. The site is functioned as the political, civil and religious centre of the Copan Valley.
Where is the Mayan city Copan located?
western Honduras
Copán, ruined ancient Maya city, in extreme western Honduras near the Guatemalan border. It lies on the west bank of the Copán River, about 35 miles (56 km) west of the modern town of Santa Rosa de Copán. The site was added to the World Heritage List in 1980.
What is Copan Honduras famous for?
For many years, Copán Ruins have been famous for its magnificent Mayan ruins, declared by UNESCO as Archaeological World Heritage Site in 1980. Today Copán Ruins is considered the Paris of the Mayan world in Central America.
Who built Copan ruins?
Structure 10L-26 is a temple that projects northwards from the Acropolis and is immediately to the north of Structure 10L-22. The structure was built by Uaxaclajuun Ub’aah K’awiil and K’ak’ Yipyaj Chan K’awiil, the 13th and 15th rulers in the dynastic succession.
What are some major discoveries made at Copan?
In the spring of 1992, University Museum excavators of the ancient Maya city of Copan made the remarkable discovery of an intact noble burial chamber. The burial, located in the city’s Acropolis, may prove to belong to one of Copan’s ákings.
What is the hieroglyphic staircase?
The Stairway, located on the west side of the temple-pyramid Structure 26, has the longest known Maya text inscription from ancient Mesoamerica, dating from the eighth century ce. The Hieroglyphic Stairway was excavated in the late 1890s and was reconstructed in the late 1930s and 1940s.
Is Copan Honduras safe?
Copan Ruinas is one of several safe destinations in Honduras that you can enjoy during your travels. The archaeological park, as well as town, and the trails from town to the park are all safe.
Are Copan ruins worth it?
Visit Copán Ruinas Yes, it is the most touristic site in the region but, unlike some other touristic attraction, Copán Ruinas really worth its reputation. Plan at least half a day to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site.
What is the meaning of Copan?
Co·pán. (kō-pän′) A ruined Mayan city of western Honduras that flourished from c. 300 bc to ad 900. The ruins include the Hieroglyphic Stairway with over 2,000 glyphs.
Are there pyramids in Honduras?
The Pyramids of Maya can be found not only in Mexico, but also in Honduras. Three thousand years ago, when the unique pyramids were built, Copán was one of the largest cities of the Mayan civilization. The city was on the crossroads of important trade routes.
How old are the Copan ruins?
Even though Copán was occupied for more than two thousand years, the Copan Ruins complex we see today was mostly built between 400 and 800 AD, when it served as the capital city of a major Classic period kingdom.
What do the hieroglyphs on the steps of Copán narrate?
Researchers, first stumped by the hieroglyphs, came to realize that the staircase is a record of the royal history of Copán, listing the names of kings, their births, their deaths, and the defining events of their rule.