Foundations to the Late Classic Kingdom: Copan in the 6th century CE

Summary

Historical and archaeological data support interpretation of Classic Maya polities as centralized states—strongly integrated organizations with stratified and hierarchical political structures led by rulers wielding coercive power. Yet archaeology is often hard pressed to identify changes instigated by individuals or events, or define watershed moments when particular sites or regions coalesced as states. By the early sixth century CE, the kingdom of Copan had established itself as a dominant player in the southeastern frontier of the Classic Maya world. With control over subordinate polities and trade relations, the royal house had wielded power for over a century laying the foundations for the Late Classic dynasts and their detailed histories. Prior to the strengthening of the state under Ruler 11 (reigned 578-628), Copan’s history records a succession of rulers who managed internal growth and likely faced regional population movements and the political challenges that accompanied them.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Copan I: The Late Classic Period

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15505