Introduction :
The Mayan site of Copan is located in El Puente in the Copan Department of Honduras. The Mayan site in Copan is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan civilization which has been occupied for more than two thousand years. It contains a distinctive style of architecture found within the cultures of the lower land Mayans. Due to its rich history and archaeological monuments, the Mayan site of Copan has bee inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1980. It is also known as Copan Ruinas to the local people of Honduras.
A view of the site from a higher point
Doorway at the temple
An ancient altar sculpture
Image attribution to maxid @ Flickr
History :
Although the history in the Mayan site at Copan spans more than 2000 years ago, little was documented until the founding of a new Maya Kingdom in 426 AD. Known as the Oxwitik to the Mayans, it was a powerful city to a vast kingdom within the southern Maya kingdom. The city suffered a decline when king Ub’aah K’waiil was captured and executed by his former vassal . The site was abandoned after 900 AD until it was discovered by Spanish explorer Diego Garcia in 1570. Evacuation on the site however did not begin until the 19th century.
One of the most spectacular ball courts in the Mayan sites around the world
Image attribution to maxid @ Flickr
Stone sculpture of a 2 headed flying snake
Image attribution to david_o @ Flickr
The largest temple pyramid structure at the archaeological site
A reconstructed version of the Rosalila Temple
Getting there :
The nearest airport to the Mayan site of Copan is at the Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) located 11km from in the city of San Pedro Sula followed by a bus trip of around 4 hours to the destination.