Copan Ruins

 

Copan is known as the “Paris of the Maya World.”  During the Classic Period (AD 250-800) it dominated the region.  This site is rich in hieroglyphics.

Homes of the rich and famous Maya families

I love visiting ruins without researching in depth beforehand.  It invites my imagination to play with the artifacts and ruins and to fantasize about the lives of commoners, royalty, religious, etc.  Then I’m often rudely awakened by archeologists’ facts and conclusions.

Stairway covered in hieroglyphics

I am amazed by the Maya people’s organization.  They populated vast landscapes but were politically organized.  A king ruled each section and the kings held routine meetings.  Like many civilizations during this time, they were advanced mathematically and astronomically.

 

View from the top of a Maya monument looking at their common area

Serious statue in the museum.  Everything is monstrous in size!

Long day of walking...