Copan
COPAN - (Xukpi, Chol Maya word for motmot), Late Classic Period,
The Ballcourt - Northern Honduras.
Across the present-day border of Guatemala in northwestern Honduras lies one of the most spectacular cities of the Classic Maya Period. Copan, located in a lush, fertile valley on the edge of a river surrounded by wooded mountains, is truly an architectural masterpiece of grand proportion. Its buildings were once adorned with carved stucco and stone sculpture. Perfect examples of Maya elitist art can be viewed at the Ballcourt and the Great Plaza where, to this day, stand stela or 'tree-stones' depicting several rulers of the Copan dynasty.

The Copan valley had been a settlement since before 1100BC. However, by 900BC, residential compounds began to sprout. By 160 AD, the first ruling dynasty was founded by Yax-Kuk-Mo (Blue-Quetzal-Macaw). Unlike any of his predecessors, Yax-Kuk-Mo created a 'new dawn' over the Copan Valley, beginning of a period of kingship and political institution that was to remain in place for the next 400 years. During this time, 16 kings (ahauob) ruled the dynasty of Copan, with Yax-Pac gaining the last accession to the throne in 763AD.

It wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that public interest was aroused. John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood visited and illustrated several of the stela that portrayed the rulers of the Copan dynasty in high relief. One such ruler, 18-Rabbit, re-shaped Copan with the aid of skilled artisans, transforming the city into a splendidly unique expression of royal power. The explorer Alfred Maudsley captured the spirit of Copan photographically.

In more recent years, the Copan Valley Project (1975-1977) has excavated and defined the settlement patterns of the area. Further research by the Instituto Hondureno de Antropologia e Historia, Claude Baudez, Bill and Barbara Fash, E. Wyllys Andrews V and the ongoing work of Robert Sharer have led to a fuller understanding of this complex society.

My own journeys in 1992 and 1993 gave me the opportunity to create a few drawings, including the one depicted here of the Great Ballcourt, viewed from the parapet to the west of Temple 11. It was about this time that Ricardo Agurcia began excavations beneath Temple Structure 10L-26 next to the Acropolis that revealed a complete temple buried intact, replete with stucco masks and covered in brilliant colors. A replica of this temple, known as 'Rosalila,' is a focal point in the museum at the entrance to the site.

This truly remarkable place with a long history is well worth the visit. The site is accessible overland from Guatemala and also from San Pedro Sula in Honduras.