Why was copan built

Templo 11 is one of Copan's most enigmatic buildings, covered in strange inscriptions and carved stone effigies that suggest it was built to access the "other" realms Built as the burial temple for Copan's mysterious last ruler, Yax Pasaj Chan Yopaat, Structure 10L tells us a lot about this unwanted outsider Often called the Old Man of Copan, these iconic heads are actually of Pauahtun, whose role is Often called the Old Man of Copan, these iconic heads are actually of Pauahtun, whose role is not fully understood and neither is the function of these old heads The mysterious Altar to Stela A was recorded as early , when it caught Frederick The mysterious Altar to Stela A was recorded as early , when it caught Frederick Catherwood's attention, and has been an enigma for many reasons ever since The Elephants of Copan are a hotly debated topic.

Do they really prove there was contact with Do they really prove there was contact with Asia at least years before Columbus' "discovery"? For much of its history, Quirigua was little more than a trading outpost, designed to control For much of its history, Quirigua was little more than a trading outpost, designed to control trade along the Motagua River, but then Cauac Sky came to power Tikal was the most powerful city in the Mayan territories during the Classic Period, but its Tikal was the most powerful city in the Mayan territories during the Classic Period, but its monuments might suggest that Teotihuacan was inspiration and power behind its success Your email address will not be published.

Research by Honduran astronomers suggests that this sculpture, Stela D, was used by the ancient Maya as a solar clock to time rituals and celebrations.

The carved serpents represent the Sun during solstices, equinoxes, and zenith passages. The Hieroglyphic Stairway, with more than 1, glyph blocks, is the longest inscribed hieroglyphic text of the Americas. The histories of battles and conquests are carved on the face of wide steps going up a tall pyramid. The story highlights the accomplishments of the ancestors of King "Smoke Shell.

The ballgame was played using a heavy, solid rubber ball. The players would hit it with hips and thighs covered by protective gear. The Mesoamerican ballgame had cosmic meaning for the ancient Maya, with the ball symbolizing a celestial object and the court itself serving as a portal to the world of the ancestors and deities.

Sculpted stone macaws grace the walls of Ball Court A. The Eastern Plaza rises a considerable height above the valley floor. On its western side is a stairway sculptured with figures of jaguars originally inlaid with black obsidian. The Acropolis, a magnificent architectural complex, appears today as a large mass of rubble which came about through successive additions of pyramids, terraces and temples. The world's largest archaeological cut runs through the Acropolis.

In the walls of the cut, it is possible to distinguish floor levels of previous plazas and covered water outlets. The construction of the Great Plaza and the Acropolis reflects a prodigious amount of effort because of the size of its levelled and originally paved expanse of three hectares and the latter because of the enormous volume of its elevated mass, which rises some 30 meters from the ground.

Criterion iv : The design of the, with its temples, plazas, terraces and other features, represent a type of architectural and sculptural complex among the most characteristic of the Classic Maya Civilization. The Maya site of Copan represents one of the most spectacular achievements of the Classic Maya Period because of the number, elaboration and magnitude of its architectural and sculptural monuments. The stelae and altars at the Plaza form one of the most beautiful sculpture ensembles in the region.

In both the design and execution of monuments, the Maya bequeathed a unique example of their creative genius and advanced civilization at Copan. Criterion vi : The lengthy inscription on the Hieroglyphic Stairway, the longest inscribed text in the Maya region, is of considerable historic significance for the site, and for a wider cultural area. The boundaries of the World Heritage property enclose the key monuments, specifically the Main Group and the residential neighbourhoods around it, that give the Maya Site of Copan its Outstanding Universal Value.

All attributes to convey its significance are contained within the Copan Archaeological Park about The site is a seismic zone and had suffered damage from at least two earthquakes. Although impacts of both natural and human origins continue to exist, and the setting and natural surroundings are being threatened by sprawl of the neighbouring town, these conditions have been largely mitigated and continue to be monitored so as to prevent the erosion of the conditions of the integrity.

However, the integrity of the property needs to be strengthened by extending the boundaries of the Copan Archaeological Park.

The Maya Site of Copan has maintained its form and design and has largely conserved also its setting. Since restoration projects have followed the recommendations and standards set forth at the international level to maintain the authenticity of the site.

However, since , a few original monuments have been transferred to the Sculpture Museum, for their preservation and taking into account strictly conservation-oriented criteria, and replaced in situ by replicas. The existing legislation, both at the national and regional level, provides an appropriate framework for the protection of the site. However, while overlapping legislation reflects the national importance of archaeological landscapes and nature conservation and is considered adequate, its enforcement is not always satisfactory.

There is a need for specific regulations to coordinate the enforcement of all existing legislative and regulatory measures.