August 11, 2010 |
| Mayan Ruins at Copan |
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Ball Field
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The town of Copan Ruinas was established around one hundred fifty years ago to support the archeological excavation of one of the more significant Mayan ruin sites (Copan). This area represents the Mayan Classic period from the 5th through the 9th centuries AD. Once known as the “Athens of the New World” these ruins remain a significant location for Central American archeology.
We hired Mike as a local guide to take Angie, Pat and me through the park. One is awed by the sheer effort it took to quarry, chisel, form and carve these massive stone structures. The original population was estimated at around three thousand. It continued to grow to about twenty thousand citizens which led to its ultimate demise. The mountain environment could not sustain the burgeoning population as they depleted the resources (primarily timber used for fires). In the end it’s said they had to travel three days to harvest timber. That in the midst of what was before, and is today again, an endless sea of towering trees.
As you tour the various temples, the ball field and surrounding structures the tale of human sacrifice unfolds. One cannot imagine a “stadium” full of people cheering on the bloodletting and torture associated with these sacrifices. This, along with powerful hallucinogenics, kept their Kings in a position to have an “iron rule” over the population. That said; they were master craftsman (at least as far as stone work, clay and pottery are concerned). The hieroglyphics carved into the headstones and towering stairways are truly impressive.
There is much too much to portray here in this blog format. If you want more info check out this website for a brief overview.
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2010
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