The Sculpture Museum of Copán at the Copán archaeological site in Honduras may lack the romantic ambiance and sense of history of the site itself. However, the museum is home to the best original sculpture and architecture the Mayans of Copán produced and it should be an integral part of your visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
This reconstruction of the Rosalila Temple greets visitors to the Sculpture Museum of Copán. It was created based on findings archaeologists made after studying the time-worn original which remains buried within Temple 16 at the Copán site itself.
Inside the Sculpture Museum at Copán
it is absolutely worth the US$7 entry fee to see nearly 60 exhibits with more than 3,000 pieces of sculpture plus six restored buildings and some of the most important stele from the adjacent archaeological site. Here are some highlights from inside the Sculpture Museum at Copán.
The back of the reconstructed Rosalila Temple in the center of the Sculpture Museum of Copán.
You enter the museum through a dramatic tunnel meant to mimic the experience archaeologists had while exploring the site. Inside, originals (and a few replicas) of Copán’s very best finds, including a full-size replica of the vibrant Rosalila structure, are well-displayed and easy to check out.
A stucco relief on the reconstruction of the Rosalila Temple, the centerpiece of the Sculpture Museum of Copán.
High-quality carving is one of the things the Mayan city of Copán was known for. These intricately carved depictions of the Mayan rain god Chaac (center) and various waterbirds are original and on display in the Sculpture Museum of Copán.
Part of Structure 16 is preserved inside the Sculpture Museum of Copán, including this carving of the Mayan god Tlaloc which formed part of an ancient stairway.
The Mayans revered scarlet macaws and this excellent original carving of a macaw in flight can be seen in the Sculpture Museum.
The Mayans revered scarlet macaws and these macaw heads, carved out of stone by the original inhabitants of Copán, are on display in the excellent on-site museum.
A detailed reconstruction of Temple 22 in the excellent Sculpture Museum of Copán in Honduras.
The bat was the symbol of the ancient Mayan city of Copán. This original piece can be seen in the Sculpture Museum of Copán.
Human and animal heads carved from stone centuries go by the Mayans who lived in the city of Copán are on display in the Sculpture Museum of Copán.
This detail, now on display in the Sculpture Museum of Copán, originally adorned a Mayan nobleman’s house.
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Wow. The original carvings are amazing, but the replica structure really gives perspectve. I’m constantly amazed by the Mayans abilities given the tools thay had.
Looks amazing. I’ve loved your Mayan stories. It’s such a fascinating culture… even if they do think we’re all going to die in a few months time :)