zoom_in Click to enlarge

Copan

▲ ▼

language

description Copan Overview

Copan in western Honduras was a major Maya city-state that reached its political and artistic peak between the 5th and 9th centuries CE, noted for its exceptionally detailed carved stelae and hieroglyphic stairway.

help Copan FAQ

Where is Copan located, and what civilization built it?

Copan is in western Honduras and was a major city-state of the Classic Maya civilization. Its political and artistic peak came between the 5th and 9th centuries CE.

What makes Copan's Hieroglyphic Stairway important?

The Hieroglyphic Stairway on Structure 10L-26 contains the longest known inscribed text in the Maya region. Its glyphs record dynastic history and make Copan especially important for Maya epigraphy.

What are Copan's carved stelae known for?

Copan's stelae are unusually detailed monuments depicting rulers, costumes, symbols, and religious imagery. They are concentrated around plazas and form one of the site's most distinctive artistic features.

Is Copan recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes, UNESCO inscribed the Maya Site of Copan as a World Heritage Site in 1980. The protected archaeological park includes temples, plazas, the ball court, carved stelae, and the Hieroglyphic Stairway.

swap_horiz

Looking for Copan alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward