Picture of Copán: detail of Stela H (Copán, Honduras)

Detail of Stela H, Copán

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Deservedly the numer one attraction of Honduras, Copán is a testimony to the proud Mayan past of the country.
Copán consists of the Great Plaza, containing mostly stelae, temples, the Ball Court, the Hieroglyphic Staircase, the West Court and East Court with more temples and stelae. While the latter seem to lie on a hill, they actually were built on top of other temples and tombs, still hidden below a green layer of vegetation that has grown to cover it over the many years. On top, you can find some of the most interesting sights of Copán, notably the so-called Altar Q which is a square sculpture, depicting the 16 rulers of the Copán dynasty, 4 rulers on each side of it. The rulers had names relating to astronomy and animals, like Moon Jaguar, or 18 Rabbit. Somehow, Yax Pac, the last ruler, who ordered the altar sculpted, must have known he was going to be the last ruler of the Maya empire. His successor's reign ended abruptly, and marked the end of Copán's centuries of prosperity.
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