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ROSALILA
In the center of this museum is a true scale replica of the temple archaeologists have nicknamed "Rosalila". This building and bird from a buried, early ballcourt on the second story are the only replicas in the museum. Modern artisans have made highly accurate reconstruction's of the elaborate colored stucco reliefs that adorned all four sides of Rosalila. The temple, discovered in nearly perfect condition, by archaeologist in 1991. was dedicated by Copan's tenth ruler, "Moon Jaguar," in the years A.D. 571. As a whole the temple represents a mountain, a place of creation, a source of life-giving water and the sacred maize plant.
The Sun God, a key player in the creation myth, rises majestically over the doorway with his wings outstretched across the building. The birds on the lower part of the building are representations of the first ruler and founder of the Copan dynasty, whose hieroglyphic name reads "K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo' " (Sun-faced blue-green Quetzal Macaw'). 0n the upper story, serpents stream forth like smoke from a enormous incensario with a skeletal face, they overlap the giant image of the mountain deity. Rosalila was so sacred that it was left intact, even with its roof crest, before being buried within the core of Structure 16, the central building of the Copan Acropolis.
ALTAR Q
Altar Q, is one of the most celebrated monuments of Copan, is from the west Court of the Acropolis, at the base of Structure 16's staircase. As a tribute to the Copan dynasty, the 16th ruler New'Dawn is shown seated on right on the date of his accession to power, 6 Caban 10 Mol or July 2, 763. He symbolically receives the baton of office from the first ruler Yax K'uk" Mo' and from his other 14 predecessors. Each ruler is seated above his name glyph, starting with the first and going chronologically clockwise around the monument. The text carved on the top of the altar refers to historical events involving the Copan dynasty, not to an astronomical conference as once thought. During your visit to the museum we hope you will gain an appreciation for the ancient Maya architects, city planners and engineers who worked with the religious leaders to design and construct the elaborate stone temples of Copan.
A RARE LOOK INSIDE THE CONTENTS OF ROSALILA!
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