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Copán

File:Yax_Kuk_Mo.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It is one of the most important sites of the Maya civilization, which was not excavated until the 19th century. The ruined citadel and imposing public squares reveal the three main stages of development before the city was abandoned in the early 10th century.

AI overview

Copán is an archaeological site in western Honduras that showcases the ruins of an important Maya city, including a citadel and public squares that display three major periods of development before the city was abandoned in the early 10th century. The site, which wasn't excavated until the 19th century, provides crucial evidence about Maya civilization and its urban development.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Ancient site.name
Copán
Ancient site.native_name
Oxwitik
Ancient site.native_name_lang
myn
Ancient site.image
Copan sculpture.jpg
Ancient site.image_size
300px
Ancient site.caption
One of two simian sculptures on Temple 11, possibly representing howler monkey gods.
Ancient site.map_type
Mesoamerica # Honduras
Ancient site.relief
1
Ancient site.location
Copán Ruinas, Copán Department, Honduras
Ancient site.epochs
Early Preclassic to Postclassic
Ancient site.cultures
Maya civilization
UNESCO World Heritage Site.child
yes
UNESCO World Heritage Site.ID
129
UNESCO World Heritage Site.Year
1980
UNESCO World Heritage Site.Criteria
Cultural: iv, vi
UNESCO World Heritage Site.Area
15.095 ha
Protected area.name
Copán Ruins Cultural Monument
Protected area.alt_name
Ruinas de Copán

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Area
15.095
Image
Copán Stela B.jpg
Show 2 more facts
Commons category
Copán
native label
Copán
Sources (3)

via Wikidata · CC0

~54 min read

Article

23 sections
Contents
  • Names
  • Location
  • Population
  • History
  • Rulers
  • Predynastic history
  • K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo' and K'inich Popol Hol
  • Other early dynastic rulers
  • K'ak' Chan Yopaat and Smoke Imix
  • Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil
  • Later rulers
  • Modern history
  • Site description
  • Main Group
  • Sepulturas Group
  • Other groups
  • Monuments
  • Recent Archaeological Discoveries and Interpretation (2010–2024)
  • See also
  • Notes
  • References
  • Further reading
  • External links

Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It is one of the most important sites of the Maya civilization, which was not excavated until the 19th century. The ruined citadel and imposing public squares reveal the three main stages of development before the city was abandoned in the early 10th century.

This ancient Maya city mirrors the beauty of the physical landscapes in which it flourished—a fertile, well-watered mountain valley in western Honduras at an elevation of 600 meters (1,970 feet) above mean sea level. It was the capital city of a major Classic period kingdom from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. The city was in the extreme southeast of the Mesoamerican cultural region, on the frontier with the Isthmo-Colombian cultural region, and was almost surrounded by non-Maya peoples.

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