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Museum of Sculpture – Copan Ruins, Honduras
Copan, located in Honduras close to the Guatemalan border, is one of the most important sites for archaeologists researching the history of the Mayan culture. While the size of Copan’s temples cannot be compared to those of Tikal for example, the quantity and quality of sculpture found is unmatched. Much of what has been discovered is now on display at the Museum of Sculpture located at the entrance to the ruins.
Just getting into the museum is an experience in itself. A giant animal jaw welcomes you into a tunnel that winds its way underground, eventually emerging into the museum proper. Exiting the tunnel, a huge recreated temple towers into the air, a hole in the roof allowing rays of sun to drown its expanse. It is known as the Rosalila temple and is completely painted, masks protruding from its walls. The actual temple was found nearly perfectly intact, another temple built over it. Below it, yet another temple was found. This was typical in Mayan culture, successive rulers wishing to better their predecessors.
Apart from the Rosaslila, the museum has many other fine examples of sculpture including Macaws, representations of Gods, glyphs, stela and a range of animals. Two particular styles are evident, rock carving and stucco sculpting. One of the impressive points about the museum is the signage displayed on every artifact. The English translations are spot-on, something that is lacking in other similar museums. So, if your time and budget (it will set you back another $7 US on top of the 15 you already spent at the site and possibly the other 15 you forked out to enter the tunnels) allows it, make sure you get to the Museum of Sculpture after visiting the ruins of the Copan site themselves. The displays are just as impressive, if not more, and you might even learn something!
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Mayan culture seems very interesting and their arts are amazing. I never been to Honduras, but from your amazing photos I can tell this museum has some stunning collections. I’m always a big fan of historic museum or arts beside western culture. It’s graet to see what other world has to offered form the past.
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How did I also miss this museum in Copan? I really enjoyed learning about the Mayan culture during my time in Central America.
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