Sunday, July 24, 2016

This morning began with a view of the mountains and the border of Guatemala from our courtyard while enjoying fresh-brewed Honduran coffee.  The group headed to the Mayan Archeological Site of Copan. After making arrangements and getting our guide, Virgilio, we began our journey into the city.  Virgilio told us that he has been working at the site for 27 years, the last 17 as a guide.  Originally hired to aid in the archeological preservation of the antiquities, he worked with teams for 10 years before becoming a guide.

Originally begun in the 450 A.D. and lasting until appx. 950 A.D., Copan was a 24 Square Kilometer area (15 sq miles) that had at its height a population of around 27,000 inhabitants.  The site is approximately 25 percent complete.  Currently, there is a group of scientists from China working on excavating part of the area.

Virgilio took us to the area known as the ball court.  The ancient Maya played a game known as "hit ball".  The ball weighed about 8 pounds and was made of pure rubber. Players would hit the ball with every parts of their bodies with the exception of their heads, feet and hands. The teams were comprised of Mayan royalty.  The oldest player, usually around 25 years of age, would be the designated captain of each team.  The purpose of the game was to please their god Chaac so that rain would fall and the plants could grow to support the people.  Games often lasted for many days.  When games were held with members withing the city of Copan, the captain of the winning team was sacrificed.  This was considered the greatest honor to the Maya.  When teams from visiting city states were competing, animals, usually macaws were sacrificed. <<Mike>>