Mayan Ruins, Honduras.
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Images, Reviews.
Google Map To Copan Mayan Ruins.
Rectangular Area In Center Of Map Is Site Museum.
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Google Map To Copan Mayan Museum In Town.
Square Building Center Of Map.
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The "Old Man Of Copan" Welcomes Us To The Ruins!
Elderly People were Highly Thought Of, God Like, Or "Pauahtun".
Copán Archaeological Ruins:
THE COPAN RUINS Beginnings: Known in ancient tims as "Xukpi."
Copan was the special place of the Mayan world where art and astronomy flourished. There were larger Mayan cities to the north, in present-day Mexico and Guatemala, and the structures at Copan are relatively modest compared to those at Tikal and Palenque and Chichen-Itza. But there are more carved monuments at Copan then elsewhere, and the intricate, swirling, decorative art surpasses not only that of other Mayan cities, but of any other civilization in the Western Hemisphere before the arrival of Europeans.
Copan might have been settled as early as 2000 B.C. The valley was fertile and well watered. Over time, harvests became more and more abundant, with the perfection of corn agriculture and of a calendar to guide planting. More organized societies developed in Copan and the neighboring areas among the people that are today called the Maya.
Copan developed in much the same way as other Mayan cities. Simple thatched houses on foundations evolved into temples on substantial masonry platforms. Ironwood, or chicozapote, substituted for less sturdy materials in lintels. Relatively soft volcanic rock was dressed using harder rock, and later incised with obsidian tools. Household implements were made of wood and clay; as techniques improved, pottery became more complex, and beautiful, and was used for ceremonial purposes. Newer, more complicated, more beautiful buildings were erected right on top of older ones.
The custom developed of memorializing rulers and royal families and recording history on buildings and monuments and in tombs. Great stones were rolled down from nearby mountains, carved with glyph figures representing names and numbers and events, and erected in the plazas as stelae.
The Rise
None of this happened in isolation. The Copan River, which flows into the Motagua, in present-day Guatemala, probably served as a link to other Mayan centers, and as a route for trade in cacao and obsidian, and there were probably roads as well. There are some artistic similarities between Copan and Quiriguri in Guatemala, which could have been reached by water, and the same language was used for writing throughout the Mayan area.
The Classic Era at Copan spanned just a few hundred years, from 465 A.D., the first date inscribed on a monument, to 800 A.D. During this period of recorded history, construction and reconstruction and astronomical discoveries and artistic expression were most intense.
Despite the general air of mystery that surrounds Copan, the names of some of its rulers are known, and some of its cultural history has even been uncovered: Smoke Jaguar lived to the ripe age of 82, and was succeeded by 18 Rabbit, who broke the tradition of destroying monuments with each change in rulers and using the rubble as fill in new structures? 18 Rabbit's successor, Squirrel, commemorated rulers of old whose monuments had been destroyed, and rebuilt the ball court. Other rulers have been identified as Leaf Jaguar, Smoke Monkey, and Dawn.
After our guide from Clark Tours performs the appropriate border crossing proceedures, we cross the border from Guatemals into Honduras and are soon on our way to Copan.
Take a good look at Stela B. This stela has a certain amount of controversy over what is on the stela. Look for the elephants. Could these people have known of elephants?
In addition to the park, two museums contain more artifacts and information about the mayan civilization. One museum is housed at the archaeological site, the other in the town of Copan.
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We suggest getting a hotel in Guatemala and then letting them arrange either a car or a tour of Honduras. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this usually can be pre-arranged for you.
The Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport or La Mesa International Airport (IATA: SAP, ICAO: MHLM) is located about 11 km from the city of San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
The Ramón Villeda Morales Airport is the major and busiest airport in Honduras, handling about 600,000 passengers in 2007. The airport also handles about 150 flights internationally and domestically.
The airport provides short connections to the tourist attractions such as the Mayan Ruins of Copan, La Ceiba, and the Caribbean beaches of Roatan and Tela.
However, getting to the Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport, near San Pedro Sula, isn't the hard part; it's the pilgrimage to Copán Ruinas that can be tedious.
An airport and welcome center is slated to open about 30 miles outside of town in 2009. But, the 2009 political drama may not be over, and the healing the wounds of this fragmented country—will remain a concern in the days and weeks to come.
This could delay the airport for a while.
The three-hour drive to Copán Ruinas is best done with a private driver. There is also a luxury bus, which is safe and reliable (www.hed manalas.com).
Copán Ruinas has taxis will zip you to your destinations, for about $1 U.S. per person.
Therefore, we have placed a link to Priceline.Com on this page so you can arrange your flights into and out of Guatemala or Honduras; as well as your hotel, when visiting this area.
Hint: If flying to San Pedro Sula, there are some nice 3 star hotels there. Use the airport code - SAP when doing your search.
Note: Tours in Honduras are best done through a tour agency that is well known and trusted!
This Rope Protects
The Border Crossing.
So Does The Alert
Border Official!
We Are In Guatemala
Entering Honduras. Of Course These
Alert Guards
Back Up The Border Defense!
The Man In The Red Shirt
Controlled The Rope!! 
These Guys Are
At The Entrance
Into Copan Ruins.
They Are pretty
And Well Fed! Inscription Temple,
Or Temple 11. 
The Temple
Represents Heaven,
The Superworld (Earth)
And The Underworld. Temple 11,
"Tribune of the Spectators"
Temple Part
Of The West Plaza,
Or Aquatic Area,
Because Temples
Are Adorned With Shells,
Lilly Pads, Etc. 
The "Storm God"
The Body Under Water
(The Underworld),
Head Rising Above
Water (Superworld).
Window Above
Represents Heaven. Stone In Front
Of Temple 11. 
Copan Mayan Temple. Copan Mayan Ruins. 
The Jaguar Plaza.
Jaguar Tunnel Entrance
On Right The Jaguar Plaza. 
The Dancing Jaguar.
At Jaguar Plaza. Sun God Deity,
"Kinichi Ahau",
Surrounded By Signs
Of Planet Venus
At Jaguar Plaza, Venus Altar. 
Side And Top
Of The Temple
With The Hieroglyphic Stairway
Under The Tarp. Side And Top Of
The Temple
With The Hieroglyphic Stairway
Under The Tarp.
Ball Court In Background. 
East Plaza Detail. Hey George,
It Is Hot!
My Fan Doesn't Help!!! 
It's A Little Cooler
Over Here! It's Better Right Here!!!!
Ball Court In Background. 
The Trees Just Take Over. They Would Cover
The Ruins
In A Short Time! 
Ball Court. Ball Court. 
Stele H & Stone Head. 
Altars G1 & G2. This Was For
Human Sacrifice.
Note Place For
Blood To Flow. 
At Copan City Museum.
Altar Q Shows
The 16 Kings
Of Copan Passing
Baton Of Rule
Down Through
The Generations. At Copan City Museum. 
Jade & Shells
At Copan City Museum. Copan City Museum,
In Town.
Not At The Park.
Worth The Visit! 
After Copan Ruins,
We Relaxed At Our Hotel
At Copán Ruinas. The Hotel Marina Copan.
At Copán Ruinas. 
Stela N. Stela N. 
Stela N. Stela N. 
Hieroglyphic Stairway,
Finished In 743 AD.
The 64 Steps
Contain Rocks
With 300 Years
Of History Inscribed! Stairway Will Be
Moved To Copán
Museum To Protect It
From Elements.
Started By
King Smoke Shell.
Dedicated 749 CE.
Stele M 
Stele C. Stele C. 
Altar For
Human Sacrifice. Stela B. 
Stela B.
Do You See
The Elepahants Heads? Stela B.
Giant Elephant Heads?
Some Say That
These People Knew
Of Elephants! 
Stela B.
Look Again For Elephants!
Some Archaeologists Say
These Are Macaws.
You Be The Judge! Copan City Museum.
Museum Display
Of A Burial. 
Display,
Copan City Museum. Display,
Copan City Museum.
Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books Or Videos About Touring Honduras. No Obligation!
Click On The Bottom Link Marked GO, Then Look At The Bottom Of The Page That Comes Up.
There You Will See Travel Agencies That Are Recommended By Amazon.Com
For Touring In Honduras. No Obligation!
Here Are Some Links To The Very Best & Most Popular Items Sold On Amazon.Com
To Learn More! Click The Links Below. No Obligation, Of Course!
There You Will See Travel Agencies That Are Recommended By Amazon.Com
For Touring In Honduras. No Obligation!
|
| The "Old Man Of Copan" Welcomes Us To The Ruins! Elderly People were Highly Thought Of, God Like, Or "Pauahtun". |
|---|
Copán Archaeological Ruins:
THE COPAN RUINS Beginnings: Known in ancient tims as "Xukpi." Copan was the special place of the Mayan world where art and astronomy flourished. There were larger Mayan cities to the north, in present-day Mexico and Guatemala, and the structures at Copan are relatively modest compared to those at Tikal and Palenque and Chichen-Itza. But there are more carved monuments at Copan then elsewhere, and the intricate, swirling, decorative art surpasses not only that of other Mayan cities, but of any other civilization in the Western Hemisphere before the arrival of Europeans. Copan might have been settled as early as 2000 B.C. The valley was fertile and well watered. Over time, harvests became more and more abundant, with the perfection of corn agriculture and of a calendar to guide planting. More organized societies developed in Copan and the neighboring areas among the people that are today called the Maya. Copan developed in much the same way as other Mayan cities. Simple thatched houses on foundations evolved into temples on substantial masonry platforms. Ironwood, or chicozapote, substituted for less sturdy materials in lintels. Relatively soft volcanic rock was dressed using harder rock, and later incised with obsidian tools. Household implements were made of wood and clay; as techniques improved, pottery became more complex, and beautiful, and was used for ceremonial purposes. Newer, more complicated, more beautiful buildings were erected right on top of older ones. The custom developed of memorializing rulers and royal families and recording history on buildings and monuments and in tombs. Great stones were rolled down from nearby mountains, carved with glyph figures representing names and numbers and events, and erected in the plazas as stelae. The Rise None of this happened in isolation. The Copan River, which flows into the Motagua, in present-day Guatemala, probably served as a link to other Mayan centers, and as a route for trade in cacao and obsidian, and there were probably roads as well. There are some artistic similarities between Copan and Quiriguri in Guatemala, which could have been reached by water, and the same language was used for writing throughout the Mayan area. The Classic Era at Copan spanned just a few hundred years, from 465 A.D., the first date inscribed on a monument, to 800 A.D. During this period of recorded history, construction and reconstruction and astronomical discoveries and artistic expression were most intense. Despite the general air of mystery that surrounds Copan, the names of some of its rulers are known, and some of its cultural history has even been uncovered: Smoke Jaguar lived to the ripe age of 82, and was succeeded by 18 Rabbit, who broke the tradition of destroying monuments with each change in rulers and using the rubble as fill in new structures? 18 Rabbit's successor, Squirrel, commemorated rulers of old whose monuments had been destroyed, and rebuilt the ball court. Other rulers have been identified as Leaf Jaguar, Smoke Monkey, and Dawn. After our guide from Clark Tours performs the appropriate border crossing proceedures, we cross the border from Guatemals into Honduras and are soon on our way to Copan. Take a good look at Stela B. This stela has a certain amount of controversy over what is on the stela. Look for the elephants. Could these people have known of elephants? In addition to the park, two museums contain more artifacts and information about the mayan civilization. One museum is housed at the archaeological site, the other in the town of Copan.
|
We suggest getting a hotel in Guatemala and then letting them arrange either a car or a tour of Honduras. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this usually can be pre-arranged for you. The Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport or La Mesa International Airport (IATA: SAP, ICAO: MHLM) is located about 11 km from the city of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The Ramón Villeda Morales Airport is the major and busiest airport in Honduras, handling about 600,000 passengers in 2007. The airport also handles about 150 flights internationally and domestically. The airport provides short connections to the tourist attractions such as the Mayan Ruins of Copan, La Ceiba, and the Caribbean beaches of Roatan and Tela. However, getting to the Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport, near San Pedro Sula, isn't the hard part; it's the pilgrimage to Copán Ruinas that can be tedious. An airport and welcome center is slated to open about 30 miles outside of town in 2009. But, the 2009 political drama may not be over, and the healing the wounds of this fragmented country—will remain a concern in the days and weeks to come. This could delay the airport for a while. The three-hour drive to Copán Ruinas is best done with a private driver. There is also a luxury bus, which is safe and reliable (www.hed manalas.com). Copán Ruinas has taxis will zip you to your destinations, for about $1 U.S. per person. Therefore, we have placed a link to Priceline.Com on this page so you can arrange your flights into and out of Guatemala or Honduras; as well as your hotel, when visiting this area. Hint: If flying to San Pedro Sula, there are some nice 3 star hotels there. Use the airport code - SAP when doing your search. Note: Tours in Honduras are best done through a tour agency that is well known and trusted!
|
| |
| This Rope Protects The Border Crossing. So Does The Alert Border Official! We Are In Guatemala Entering Honduras. | Of Course These Alert Guards Back Up The Border Defense! The Man In The Red Shirt Controlled The Rope!! |
|---|---|
| |
| These Guys Are At The Entrance Into Copan Ruins. They Are pretty And Well Fed! | Inscription Temple, Or Temple 11. |
| |
| The Temple Represents Heaven, The Superworld (Earth) And The Underworld. | Temple 11, "Tribune of the Spectators" Temple Part Of The West Plaza, Or Aquatic Area, Because Temples Are Adorned With Shells, Lilly Pads, Etc. |
| |
| The "Storm God" The Body Under Water (The Underworld), Head Rising Above Water (Superworld). Window Above Represents Heaven. | Stone In Front Of Temple 11. |
| |
| Copan Mayan Temple. | Copan Mayan Ruins. |
| |
| The Jaguar Plaza. Jaguar Tunnel Entrance On Right | The Jaguar Plaza. |
| |
| The Dancing Jaguar. At Jaguar Plaza. | Sun God Deity, "Kinichi Ahau", Surrounded By Signs Of Planet Venus At Jaguar Plaza, Venus Altar. |
| |
| Side And Top Of The Temple With The Hieroglyphic Stairway Under The Tarp. | Side And Top Of The Temple With The Hieroglyphic Stairway Under The Tarp. Ball Court In Background. |
| |
| East Plaza Detail. | Hey George, It Is Hot! My Fan Doesn't Help!!! |
| |
| It's A Little Cooler Over Here! | It's Better Right Here!!!! Ball Court In Background. |
| |
| The Trees Just Take Over. | They Would Cover The Ruins In A Short Time! |
| |
| |
| Ball Court. | Ball Court. |
| |
| |
| Stele H & Stone Head. | |
| |
| Altars G1 & G2. | This Was For Human Sacrifice. Note Place For Blood To Flow. |
| |
| At Copan City Museum. Altar Q Shows The 16 Kings Of Copan Passing Baton Of Rule Down Through The Generations. | At Copan City Museum. |
| |
| Jade & Shells At Copan City Museum. | Copan City Museum, In Town. Not At The Park. Worth The Visit! |
| |
| After Copan Ruins, We Relaxed At Our Hotel At Copán Ruinas. | The Hotel Marina Copan. At Copán Ruinas. |
| |
| Stela N. | Stela N. |
| |
| Stela N. | Stela N. |
| |
| Hieroglyphic Stairway, Finished In 743 AD. The 64 Steps Contain Rocks With 300 Years Of History Inscribed! | Stairway Will Be Moved To Copán Museum To Protect It From Elements. Started By King Smoke Shell. Dedicated 749 CE. Stele M |
| |
| Stele C. | Stele C. |
| |
| Altar For Human Sacrifice. | Stela B. |
| |
| Stela B. Do You See The Elepahants Heads? | Stela B. Giant Elephant Heads? Some Say That These People Knew Of Elephants! |
| |
| Stela B. Look Again For Elephants! Some Archaeologists Say These Are Macaws. You Be The Judge! | Copan City Museum. Museum Display Of A Burial. |
| |
| Display, Copan City Museum. | Display, Copan City Museum. |
Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books Or Videos About Touring Honduras. No Obligation!
Click On The Bottom Link Marked GO, Then Look At The Bottom Of The Page That Comes Up.
There You Will See Travel Agencies That Are Recommended By Amazon.Com
For Touring In Honduras. No Obligation!
Here Are Some Links To The Very Best & Most Popular Items Sold On Amazon.Com
To Learn More! Click The Links Below. No Obligation, Of Course!
There You Will See Travel Agencies That Are Recommended By Amazon.Com
For Touring In Honduras. No Obligation!
Here Are Some Links To The Very Best & Most Popular Items Sold On Amazon.Com
To Learn More! Click The Links Below. No Obligation, Of Course!