GRAN PLAZA - PLAZA DE LOS MONUMENTOS

This Grand Place, which provides access to the site, comprises small temple 4 with its 4 staircases, and a stelae garden. The square lies to the north of the Jeu de Balle, the Escalier aux Hiéroglyphes and the Acropolis. According to archaeologists, this space served as a meeting place for the people, who came here to listen to the king, take part in various public ceremonies and even, on occasion, organize ball games.

Most of the stelae seen in the northern part of the Grande Place were erected during the reign of Eighteen Rabbits. Many of these steles have the same structure: on one side, the figure of the king, on the other, a series of glyphs indicating the date of creation of the stone monument and the occasion for which it was erected. Note that some retain traces of the brightly coloured pigments with which they were painted. Some archaeologists believe that the order of distribution of the nine stelae may have a precise meaning. Careful study of the foundations has enabled the monuments to be reinstalled in their original locations. Each stela rests on a cruciform base that was used to house religious offerings: pottery shards, bird bones and fish bones have been found at the foot of the stelae.

Other stelae can be found in the Río Copán valley. Most were built by Butz Hunab K'awil, the twelfth king of the dynasty. It is assumed that they served as a support for the celestial vault and as a gateway to the underworld.