Copan I: The Late Classic Period

This session explores data pertaining to the first half of the Late Classic period at Copan in Honduras. This period is marked by the reign of three long-lived rulers: Ruler 11, K'ahk' Uti' Chan; Ruler 12, K’ahk’ Uti’ Witz’ K’awiil; and Ruler 13, Waxaklajuun Ubaah K’awiil. Under K'ahk' Uti' Chan the population of the valley rose significantly. Under K’ahk Uti’ Witz’ K’awiil the Copan polity is believed to have first expanded into a state. Ruler 12’s reign saw the dedication of stelae both in the center of the city, as well as in areas outside of the Copan Pocket, including in Santa Rita. He erected at least one altar at Rio Amarillo, gifted ceremonial ceramic vessels as far away as Tazumal, El Salvador, and performed a scattering ritual at the site of Quirigua, Guatemala. Waxaklajuun Ubaah K’awiil stepped into the shoes of his illustrious predecessor and for 42 years ruled over a community whose art style burgeoned. He proclaimed Copan one of the corners of the Maya world along with Calakmul, Tikal, and Palenque, and presented himself in the guise of various gods on stelae in the Great Plaza, and yet ended his reign beheaded by the ruler of Quirigua.