Copan: Dia 2 Pt 1– Las Ruinas

Built by a society of scientists and architects, artists and warriors, the ruins display huge carved statues, layers of temples, a ball court, and the infamous Hieroglyphic stairway, the longest hieroglyphic stairway inscription found anywhere in the Americas. At its height, a population of 24,000 people lived within the surrounding region. Because of its detailed structures and architecture, archeologists have famed Copan as “the Athens of the New World. Over a thousand years old, the ruins have been kept in great condition due to funded research. Many of the original sculptures have been replaced with replicas, allowing for the originals to be preserved in the museum.

This was the King's view of the Ball Court and the Central Plaza

We took the 15 minute walk to the Ruins in the early afternoon, once the sun cooled down a bit. The ruins are right by the river and surrounded by trees and vegetation. I guess and optimal location for the Mayans when they were looking to settle. I was very overwhelmed by the trip, just so much history in this one place, and so hard to imagine that people actually lived here. Quite amazing…

The Ball Court - Archeologists believe that the small compartments atop the slanted walls were the players dressing rooms.

Heide and Natalie above the Ball Court

Stela H - a woman wearing jewelry and a leopard skin inder her dress. She may have been one of the King's wives.

Stela A - Depicts one of the Mayan Rulers

The Hieroglyphic Stairway - the longest hieroglyphic inscription found anywhere in the Americas. The 72 steps contain more than 2,500 glyphs.

Altar Q - Depicts 16 seated men, carved around the four sides of a square stone altar. The altar shows the 16 rulers of Copan, with the first ruler passing the ruling baton onto the last. (One of my faves!)

An original structure from the ruins preserved in the museum