RASTROJÓN, LOS SAPOS AND RÍO AMARILLO
A peripheral group of Copán that has been recently investigated is the Rastrojón Archaeological Site, located 2 km north-east of the main group on the side of the mountain. Its defensive location suggests that it could be a strategic point for the surveillance of the valley, and even it has been proposed that it was a garrison or residence of a group of warriors. Originally occupied in the classic early, its visible architecture corresponds to the end of the late classic period, as testifies it to its architecture and decoration in stone mosaics and reliefs, which is of higher quality so far found out of the main group of Copán. Its iconography centered pumas supernatural figures suggests that this mountain was known as K’K’oj Witz’ an (Hill of the Puma). In the 10 structure is portrayed a character, possibly the resident of that Palace, within the jaws of the puma. However, the geological instability of the area made this building collapsed completely, possibly shortly after being abandoned, which meant that its facade is retained much more completely than other similar examples in “Las Sepulturas” and other residential groups in Copán.
Towards the west, always on the side of the mountain and at a distance of 4 km from the group of Copán the Hacienda San Lucas is located, where is Los Sapos archaeological site, you will find several toads sculptures in natural rocks. From this town you can walk to the Stela 10, dating back to the reign of ‘ahk Uti’Witz’K ‘Kk’awiil (18 Rabbit) and which lies at the top of the mountain. This and other stelae were placed on the edge of the valley, possibly as markers of the boundaries of the city or places where ceremonies took place.
As part of the periphery of Copán site is El Puente, which is the second Archaeological Park of Honduras. This settlement was located in the region of the entrance, to the north of the Valley of Florida, where the Chamelecón and Chinamito rivers converge. Its occupation dates from the late classic period, so it could operate as a link with the non-Mayan groups at the east of Honduras, at a time when Copán reinforces its political and trade relations with that region. The site has six squares aligned in an east-west axis, within an area bounded by elongated structures. This pattern is similar to the Quiriguá, it is not a wonder if both were originally subsidiary of Copán. At the southeast end is the C Plaza, where is located the structure 31, against which it was erected a stela and an altar. The Structure 1, which is the largest site, rises by 11 meters and is situated to the center of the ceremonial center, dividing the Plazas A and B. Its alignment with the 26 structure, located to the east, suggests a complex “Group E” type. South of the Plaza is the 10 structure, where you can appreciate its six constructive stages through a tunnel that has been enabled for the public. The same can be seen in the 3 structures, located on the opposite side of the plaza. The Museum of site of El Puente contains a scale model of the site and an exhibition of ceramic vessels, sculptures and other artifacts recovered from the site and its surroundings. Highlights the Estela de Los Higos, another site in the region that was incorporated into the Kingdom of Copán. You can also appreciate a glass of Alabaster from the El Abra mine site, whose inscription mentions the king Yax Pasaj Chaan Yopaat, thus demonstrating regional relations at that time.
The archaeological site of Río Amarillo (Yellow River), also known as La Canteada, is located in the valley of the river of the same name, 18 km northeast of Copán. Their settlement has a longitudinal pattern along the banks of the River, still with most of its buildings concentrated on the side, while the largest are located in the west end. Other buildings are located in monumental terraces in the central part.
Another Archaeological Park is “Los Naranjos”, which is located in the region of the Yojoa Lake and contains a pyramid of 20 m high, which is the largest in Honduras. Although this area already belongs to the Lenca group, that had a strong relationship with the southeast Mayan periphery, since its unique ceramic style is on sites like Copan and Quirigua. The Los Naranjos Eco-Park Museum exhibits an important example of the Ulua-Yojoa style vessels.
Another site of the Lenca region is Yarumela, occupied during the Pre-classic period. The 101 structure, known as “El Cerrito” rises by 19 m and is partially restored. An important collection of artifacts from the Lenca region, is located in the Comayagua Regional Archaeology Museum, located in the city of Comayagua.
These are the names of the animals which brought the food: 2 yac (the mountain cat), utiú (the coyote), quel (a small parrot), and hoh (the crow). These four animals gave tidings of the yellow ears of corn and the white ears of corn, they told them that they should go to Paxil and they showed them the road to Paxil.