Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the Copan site renowned for?
What is the Copan site renowned for?
- Agricultural techniques
- Ancient weaponry
- Modern architecture
- Impressive series of portrait stelae (correct)
Who is represented by the stone statue in Copan?
Who is represented by the stone statue in Copan?
King Waxaklajun Ub'aah K'awiil
The Copan site features a complex of layered _____, plazas, and palaces.
The Copan site features a complex of layered _____, plazas, and palaces.
pyramids
The sculptures' remains were discovered in front of the pyramid.
The sculptures' remains were discovered in front of the pyramid.
How tall is the stone statue at Copan?
How tall is the stone statue at Copan?
In what year does the stone statue at Copan date back to?
In what year does the stone statue at Copan date back to?
What was the first Maya city explored by Stephens and Catherwood?
What was the first Maya city explored by Stephens and Catherwood?
In what year did Stephens and Catherwood publish their book detailing their findings?
In what year did Stephens and Catherwood publish their book detailing their findings?
Copan is located in East Honduras.
Copan is located in East Honduras.
Who was the warrior prince that declared himself King of Copan in AD 426?
Who was the warrior prince that declared himself King of Copan in AD 426?
Catherwood used a camera lucida to create accurate drawings.
Catherwood used a camera lucida to create accurate drawings.
What was one of the titles of a king of Copan?
What was one of the titles of a king of Copan?
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Study Notes
Copan's Artistic Legacy
- Copan, a renowned archaeological site, features a series of portrait stelae strategically placed around the central plaza and acropolis.
- The stelae and architectural decorations showcase the pinnacle of ancient Mesoamerican artistic craftsmanship.
- Copan structures boast elaborate stone sculptures, often crafted from mosaics of carved stones, making them manageable for individual transport.
King Waxaklajun Ub'aah K'awiil
- An immense stone statue, towering over three meters, stands as a testament to the artistry of Copan.
- Dating back to approximately AD 720, it is believed to depict the revered king, Waxaklajun Ub'aah K'awiil, in the guise of a maize deity.
Catherwood's Artistic Legacy
- While not discovered directly in front of the pyramid, the remaining sculptures inspired Catherwood to create captivating drawings.
- Catherwood, leveraging his previous sketches, generated fresh artwork compositions in London, adding to his artistic legacy.
Copan, Honduras
- Copan is an ancient Maya city located in Western Honduras, near the border with Guatemala.
- It is known for its intricate architecture and detailed artwork, some of the most impressive examples of ancient Maya craftsmanship.
- Copan was first explored by John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood in 1839.
- The city's rule was established by a warrior prince who declared himself king in AD 426, known as K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', meaning "Blue-Green Quetzal Macaw."
- One of Copan's kings was known as "18 Rabbit."
- Stephens and Catherwood published their findings in a book titled "Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatán" in 1841, showcasing maps, detailed drawings by Catherwood, and text by Stephens recounting their discoveries.
Catherwood's Drawings of Copan
- Frederick Catherwood's detailed drawings of Copan are notable for their accuracy in proportion and perspective.
- He used a camera lucida, a device employing mirrors and prisms to project an image onto paper, resulting in accurate representations.
- Catherwood later used lithography to create prints of his drawings, making his work accessible to a wider audience.
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