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# Copan There were no accurate maps of the region, and the two men often discovered sites through word of mouth. They traveled without the extensive entourage usually accompanying 19th-century explorations. They only had a guide and men to carry equipment, and a crudely drawn map (which was inaccur...

# Copan There were no accurate maps of the region, and the two men often discovered sites through word of mouth. They traveled without the extensive entourage usually accompanying 19th-century explorations. They only had a guide and men to carry equipment, and a crudely drawn map (which was inaccurate). Despite this, they explored the jungles of Mesoamerica in search of ancient sites. Copan, a Maya city, was the first to be explored by Stephens and Catherwood in 1839. In 1841, they published a book, *Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatán*, detailing their findings in Copan and other places. The book included maps, detailed drawings by Catherwood, and text by Stephens. ## Copan Facts * Copan is in West Honduras near its border with Guatemala. * Some of the most detailed architecture and artwork of the ancient Maya was discovered in Copan. * Copan thrived under the rule of a warrior prince who declared himself King in AD 426. He was called K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', meaning Blue-Green Quetzal Macaw. * One of Copan's kings was called "18 rabbit". ## Catherwood's Drawings of Copan Frederick Catherwood produced many detailed drawings of Copan. He used a camera lucida, which uses mirrors and prisms to superimpose the image onto paper. This helped produce accurate drawings in proportion and perspective. Later, Catherwood used lithography to produce prints of his work.