Stephens and Catherwood named the sculptures idols and altars, assuming they were carvings of gods with sacrificial stones. Now we call them “stelae” and altars, and understand that these limestone ...

Since Catherwood worked under a time limit documenting these new discoveries, he did various sketches and watercolors using a camera lucida (similar to a magnifying glass), which helped him draw the ...

He also holds a scepter with two protruding serpent heads. When Stephens and Catherwood excavated this sculpture, the dress and the absence of a beard led them to believe this was a woman. Yet Maya ...

The Copan Ruins, though not the largest Mayan city, is the largest learning center within the ruins. The ruins boast ...