Far off from the principal city acropolis where the elites administered, the Sepulturas complex was nearly 1 km (0.6 miles) to its northeast and linked to it via a causeway. The Sepulturas complex was an elite residence during the 8th century.

One very interesting piece in Las Sepulturas is a stone bench, from Structure 9N-82. It is carved with glyphs and high-relief figures of Pawahtun beings, the "pillars" of the world's four corners. The glyphs on the bench rim are unconventionally elaborate for this writing system, but it is unique to Copán script. They record that the patriarch of the Sepulturas noble family dedicated their house at this complex, with the attendance of the king, in 781.

Another interesting structure is a skyband in structure 8N-66. It is a string of symbols for the sun, the moon and the planets. Skyband frames are found throughout Mesoamerica. They serve to put the scene that they surround in a heavenly context. There are mythical birds on the ends of the skyband. They carry the carved images of the heavenly bodies. The images are of the Moon deity, the Sun by day and night, and Venus. In between are repeating masks of the Milky Way. The whole is supported by high-relief figures of Pawahtun beings, the "pillars" of the world's four corners. It is the only known full-figure depiction of a skyband in the Maya area.

The Copán Temples, Copán Stelae and the Maya ruler genealogy are described on separate pages.

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.

Las Sepulturas - Residential area of Copán

View Southern Part Las
View of the southern part of Las Sepulturas. (1.5M)
 View House Entrance Las
View of a house at the entrance to Las Sepulturas. (1442k)
 View Main Part Las
View of the main part of Las Sepulturas. (1338k)
 Central Part Las Sepulturas
Central part of Las Sepulturas. (1470k)
 Central Part Living Area
In the central part of living area. Notice the niches in the walls for candles. (1315k)
 Central Part Living Area
In the central part of living area. (1311k)
 Lots Buildings Excavated
There are lots of buildings that are not excavated. (1072k)
 House Nobleman
House of a nobleman. (1266k)
 Sleeping Bench House
Sleeping bench in this house. (853k)
 Figure Skyband House Nobleman
Figure on the skyband in the house of the nobleman. (647k)
 Figure Skyband House Nobleman
Figure on the skyband in the house of the nobleman. (650k)
 Figure Skyband House Nobleman
Figure on the skyband in the house of the nobleman. (618k)
 Figure Skyband House Nobleman
Figure on the skyband in the house of the nobleman. (593k)
 Figure Skyband House Nobleman
Figure on the skyband in the house of the nobleman. (662k)
 Main Structure Las Sepulturas
Main structure in Las Sepulturas. (1139k)
 Sculptures Main Structure Las
Sculptures on the main structure in Las Sepulturas. (809k)
 Closeup Sculpture Shows Scribe
Closeup of this sculpture. It shows a scribe with the inkpot in his hand. (858k)
 Figures Main Structure Las
Figures on the main structure in Las Sepulturas. (720k)
 Figures Main Structure Las
Figures on the main structure in Las Sepulturas. (647k)
 Figures Main Structure Las
Figures on the main structure in Las Sepulturas. (679k)
 Figures Main Structure Las
Figures on the main structure in Las Sepulturas. (714k)
 Figures Main Structure Las
Figures on the main structure in Las Sepulturas. (610k)
 Figures Main Structure Las
Figures on the main structure in Las Sepulturas. (685k)
 House 18 Rabbit Before
This was the house of 18 Rabbit before he became the ruler. (1200k)
 House Shaman
House of a Shaman. (1148k)
 Red Paint Walls House
Red paint on the walls in the house of the Shaman. (764k)
 Red Paint Made Sap
The red paint is made from the sap of this tree. It turns bright red when you rub the leaves. (1204k)
 Grave Shaman Court Before
The grave of the Shaman is in the court before his house. (1378k)
 Grave Maya Buried Dead
Another grave. The Maya buried their dead close by. (1249k)
 Sometimes Dead Buried House
Sometimes the dead were buried in the house. This is a grave under a sleeping bench. (1081k)
 Circular Grave Lid Child
This was a circular grave with a lid for a child. (1319k)
 First Figure Skyband Mythical
First figure of the skyband, a mythical bird carrying the skyband. (777k)
 Mask Milky Way
Mask of the Milky Way. (787k)
 Deity Representing Venus
Deity representing Venus. (783k)
 Sun Night
The Sun by night. (769k)
 Mask Milky Way
Mask of the Milky Way. (739k)
 Sun Day
The Sun by day. (785k)
 Moon Deity
The Moon deity. (778k)
 Mask Milky Way
Mask of the Milky Way. (805k)
 Last Figure Skyband Mythical
Last figure of the skyband, a mythical bird carrying the skyband. (753k)
 Four Pawahtun Beings Pillars
One of the four Pawahtun beings, pillars of the world. (756k)
 Four Pawahtun Beings Pillars
One of the four Pawahtun beings, pillars of the world. (649k)
 Four Pawahtun Beings Pillars
One of the four Pawahtun beings, pillars of the world. (688k)
 Four Pawahtun Beings Pillars
One of the four Pawahtun beings, pillars of the world. (782k)
 Figure Structure 8n-66
Figure from Structure 8N-66. (785k)
 Figure Structure 8n-66
Figure from Structure 8N-66. (767k)

This page contains 46 pictures

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Page last updated on Tue Sep 24 18:19:03 2019 (Mountain Standard Time)

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© Dr. Günther Eichhorn
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