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Replica
of image of Copan Ruler from Altar Q, 8th century.The
ruins at Copan have a great deal of bird imagery.
In fact, the name of the dynasty's founder, K’inich
Yax K’uk Mo’ means Resplendent Sun Lord
Quetzal Macaw. |
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Ancient Maya
Connections
For the ancient
peoples of the Americas, birds were an integral part of daily
life and played fundamental roles in religion, art and politics.
The ancient Maya - who between 600 BC and AD 1500 lived in what
is today Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Western Honduras
and parts of El Salvador - appreciated birds for their beautiful
plumage, enchanting songs, and their ability to fly between the
earth and the sky as no other creature can do. They particularly
valued the feathers of birds such as quetzals and macaws and
traded these for use in elite costumes.
Although the
art and sculpture of ancient Maya cities (such as Copan) contain
many images of macaws, quetzals, herons, and eagles, archaeologists
are just beginning to understand the role birds played in ancient
Maya society. Researchers search for clues in the art and architecture,
in the hieroglyphic inscriptions, in the remains of bird bones
encountered during excavations, and in the oral stories that
the living Maya have passed down from generation to generation.
At Macaw Mountain visitors can learn more about the intricate
relationship between the ancient Maya and their avian friends.
Painting
of Margarita Panel (detail), 6th century (right). This
stucco panel of intertwined macaws was discovered by
archaeologists deep below
the Hieroglyphic Stairway at Copan. It
adorned the platform of a temple built over the tomb of K’inich
Yax K’uk Mo’.
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We will soon
unveil our educational exhibit that addresses the
relationship between the ancient Maya civilization and tropical
birds, particularly the scarlet macaw. Specifically, the exhibit
explores the importance of birds in daily life, economy, art, and
religion of the early peoples of the Copan Valley. The exhibit
is being assembled by resident scholar, Dr. Jennifer Ahlfeldt,
Assistant Professor of Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture at the
University of New Mexico.
Projects > Bird
FAQ's: Informative Resource Center
Captive
Breeding Program · Ancient
Maya Connections
Scarlet Macaw Project · Honduran School Programs
Connect With the World · Macaw Mountain Future Plans
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