VI
EN
"THE CRADLE OF HERITAGE" - A FAMOUS CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRY
Honduras, officially the Republic of Honduras, formerly often referred to as Spanish Honduras, is a country in Central America, bordered by Guatemala to the west, El Salvador to the southwest, Nicaragua to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and the Gulf of Honduras and the Caribbean Sea to the north. Belize lies 75 km away, across the Gulf of Honduras.
.jpg.jpg)
On his fourth and final voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus reached the coast of Honduras in 1502, landing near the present-day town of Trujillo, somewhere near the Guaimore Lagoon. After its discovery by the Spanish, Honduras became part of the larger Spanish New World empire within the Kingdom of Guatemala. The Spanish ruled Honduras for nearly three centuries.
Honduras is very proud of the first working clock in the Americas; it was made by the Moors in the 12th century and delivered to the Sanctuary of Comayagua in 1636.
A PLACE PRESERVING TRACES OF THE MAYA CIVILIZATION
This is one of humanity's heritage "cradles," preserving traces of the ancient Mayan civilization, known for its brilliant achievements in construction, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and more.
Copan ruins
The Copan ruins were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980. Dating back to 427 AD, this heritage site lay buried underground for centuries and was rediscovered in 1570. Archaeological excavations only began in the 19th century, but even now, it remains largely unexplored. The main structure within the site is a Mayan city with pyramids formed from numerous stacked stone steps.
Copan archaeological site in Honduras
The Copan ruins are an archaeological site of the Mayan civilization located in the Copán province of western Honduras, near the border with Guatemala. It was once the powerful capital of the Mayan kingdom for over two centuries, from the 5th to the 9th centuries AD. Copan is famous for its intricately carved stelae, pyramid steps, and grand plazas. Visitors can learn about the history, beliefs, and life of the ancient Maya through the surviving relics.
Visit Copan to explore the ancient Mayan civilization.
One of the most famous monuments in the Copan archaeological site is the Hieroglyphic Staircase. This is a 62-step staircase decorated with 2,200 Mayan hieroglyphs. These hieroglyphs record the history of the Copan dynasty, including the names of kings, dates, and important events.
These hieroglyphs record the history of the Copan dynasty.
Temple 16 is known as the largest temple in the Copan archaeological site. It was built to honor King Waxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil, who ruled Copan in the 8th century AD. The temple is decorated with elaborate sculptures depicting the king and Mayan gods.
The highlight of this archaeological site is the Great Square. This is the central square of Copan. It is surrounded by pyramids, temples, and other architectural structures. The Great Square was once the site of religious ceremonies and other public events.
El Mirador: The mysterious Mayan city hidden deep in the jungle.
El Mirador is a Mayan archaeological site located deep in the rainforest of northern Guatemala, near the border with Belize. Known as the "Lost City," El Mirador was once an important political and religious center during the Pre-Classic period (1000 BCE - 250 AD), even earlier than the famous Copán.
The mysterious Mayan city is hidden deep in the jungle.
El Mirador was built around 600 BC and reached its peak in the 3rd century BC. The city boasted many monumental structures, including pyramids, temples, plazas, and a sophisticated water harvesting system.
The El Tigre pyramid is the most impressive and second tallest structure in the Mayan world, after the Kukulkan pyramid at Chichen Itza. Built around 600 BC, El Tigre is one of the tallest pyramids in the Mayan world, second only to the Kukulkan pyramid at Chichen Itza. Its height reaches 57 meters, including the temple at the top.
El Mirador was once an important political and religious center during the Pre-Classical period.
The pyramid structure is divided into nine tiers, symbolizing the nine heavens in the Mayan worldview. The main facade of El Tigre faces west, where the sun sets, reflecting the importance of astronomy to the Maya. At the top of El Tigre is a temple adorned with exquisite sculptures depicting gods and religious rituals.
The El Tigre pyramid is a symbol of the power and prosperity of the El Mirador kingdom during the Pre-Classic period. It is also a testament to the unique construction techniques and architecture of the ancient Maya.
This structure played a crucial role in the spiritual and religious life of the Maya, serving as a site for rituals honoring the gods and seeking good fortune. El Tigre is an important contribution to the study and understanding of the Maya civilization, helping us uncover the mysteries of the past and heritage of one of the greatest civilizations in human history.
Cueva de la Vaca Caves - A repository of the memories of the ancient Maya.
The Cueva de la Vaca Caves, also known as the Milk Caverns, are an important archaeological site located in northern Honduras, near the border with Guatemala. They are famous for their ancient cave paintings, dating back up to 10,000 years, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the culture and beliefs of the prehistoric Maya.
Cueva de las Manos - the Cave of Hands in Argentina
The Cueva de la Vaca cave was discovered in the early 20th century by local people. Archaeologists have been researching and excavating the cave ever since, collecting many valuable artifacts such as pottery, stone tools, and jewelry.
Cave paintings, drawn on rock walls with clay and pigments, depict scenes of daily life, rituals, and mythology of the ancient Maya. These paintings provide detailed information about the life, beliefs, and relationship between humans and nature of the prehistoric Maya.
Impressive masterpieces of ancient stone carving art.
The Cueva de la Vaca caves are an important cultural heritage site of Honduras and the Central American region. The cave paintings here are evidence of the artistic creativity and sophisticated painting techniques of the ancient Maya.
Cueva de la Vaca makes a significant contribution to the study and understanding of the history, culture, and beliefs of the Maya people, helping us to uncover the mysteries of the past and heritage of one of the greatest civilizations in human history.
