The Acropolis

The Acropolis is the ceremonial core of Copán, a massive raised platform supporting the royal court buildings, temples, and elite residences that were the administrative heart of the kingdom. Two large open plazas — the East Court and West Court — are enclosed by steep pyramid-temples on their flanks. The East Court has a remarkable set of sculpted macaw stairways; the West Court contains Altar Q, a carved stone monument depicting all 16 kings of the Copán dynasty seated in a row.

Altar Q is particularly important: it was commissioned by the last great king, Yax Pasaj Chan Yopaat, in 776 AD and records the entire royal succession from K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo' (the dynasty's founder) to the current king — 16 rulers, each identified by name glyph. It is the most complete dynastic record found at any Mayan site. The original altar is in the museum; a replica is in situ on the site. The tunnels into the Acropolis interior, revealing earlier phases including the Rosalila Temple, require an additional ticket.

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A story
The Acropolis at Copán is not a single structure but an artificial hill created by centuries of building and rebuilding — each new king adding his own temple on top of or around his predecessors', until the platform reached a height of about 30 metres above the original valley floor. Archaeologists have identified at least 16 superimposed construction phases within the Acropolis. The Copán River has cut through the eastern face, exposing a cross-section of the accumulated construction in what is called the Principal Group's East Court cliff face.