Copán Stela D and Altar

Carved Maya stela behind a large sculpted altar with a skull motif under a shelter at Copan. loading

Dedicated on July 26, A.D. 736, Stela D was the last monument commissioned by Copán's 13th ruler, Waxaklajun Ubaah K'awiil (18 Rabbit), before his capture and execution by Quiriguá. Its elaborate carvings portray the king in communion with the lightning deity K'awiil and his royal ancestors, while the accompanying altar depicts a two-headed serpent linking the worlds of the living and the dead.

Tags:
  • Archeology
  • Central America
  • Copán
  • Honduras
  • Maya
  • Stelae
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