Copan: Days 15 & 16

Hi guys! Sorry I didn't get in another post last night. I had everything set up on Blogger to do so, and for some reason it wasn't allowing me to connect to the site. The web connection here has been pretty spotty recently, I apologize.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to do two posts today (one for yesterday and one for today) so I'll have to cram it into one. Sorry!

The two Chinese students arrived on Saturday, so yesterday we took them out to see the site. I love going to the Principal Group: each time you learn something new. I finally got a chance to look at the mysterious Altar L (which I missed both previous times I've been to the ruins), but more on that later. The rest of the day was pretty relaxing, and I got a chance to catch up on some reading.

Today we continued excavations, with a twist. In order to learn all aspects of the archaeological process, in this case directing a site, each unit is in charge of a local worker. The man assigned to our unit is Don Fidensio, and he is an expert excavator. He cleared out an entire level in one day essentially by himself. It took three of us about 2 days to do the same. Intense! We basically spent the whole day at the sifter trying to keep up with him.

Anyway, since I didn't take any pictures from today, I can post some of the ones from yesterday. The topic today: Altar L! This is either one of the last or the last monument created at the site of Copan. What makes this altar so unique is that it is unfinished. One side is carved, and the opposite side was started, but the other two sides are completely blank.

Here you can see the fully carved side at the front, and a blank face on the side to the left.

Here is the partially-carved side on the left.

Here is the partially-carved side on the right, and another blank side on the left.

From the glyphs that were actually carved, archaeologists can guess that this altar was dedicated by a mysterious ruler who tried to impose himself after the rule of Yax Pasaj, the 16th and final ruler of Copan. Altar L is a good piece of evidence for how little control this man had, for the altar he commissioned wasn't even finished. It's a pretty neat window into the past: Copan was in such dire straits that the stone carvers didn't have enough time to finish the altar before the city's administration completely collapsed. One of the more interesting pieces at the site.

And finally, I got a slightly better picture of two, yes two, agoutis while at the site. It's impossible to get a good picture of these critters, but I do my best:

There is one just to the right of the farthest left tree, and one to the right of the next tree over. They're evasive, but someday I will nail an awesome shot of them. And you will see it, of course.

Now I have to go work on my Spanish. Night!