Reconstructions of 8N-11 and Reforms of Late Classic Copan
Project IACASS is a cooperative project of the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Honduras Institute of Anthropology and History, with the great help from William Fash of the Anthropology Department of Harvard University. The project aims to a complete excavation and comprehensive interpretation of the elite compound 8N-11 in Copan, the famous classic Maya capital.
8N-11 is a sub-royal elite residential compound located at the end of the causeway (sac be) in the densely settled Las Sepulturas about 850 m from the Main Group. This is the first archaeological project of China in Mesoamerica.
Airview of 8N-11
During the phase I of Copan project, William Fash and Ricardo Agurcia excavated test trenches in the courtyard. In 1982, Evelyn Rattray excavated six pits in front of the main buildings and discovered two masonry tombs beneath the south staircase of Structure 70 north of the compound. Her excavation suggested that major occupation and construction did not predate the beginning of Coner phase (600-900AD).
In 1990, David Webster directed the first formal excavation at structure 66 and attached constructions east of the compound. The Skyband Bench in 66c, the mosaic sculptures of 66c and 66s demonstrate the high status of the 8N-11 elite in the Copan political hierarchy, who can use iconographic imagery generally indicative of royal personages. However, since the excavation focused on the latest top constructions, Webster can only provide a general date (about 600 to 1100 AD) of the compound based on typological research on ceramics and sculptures and obsidian hydration chronology. The early stages at the bottom remains a secret waiting for further exploration.
Jade Kawiil head found in Tomb 3 of under the stage I central building of the northern part
By the end of 2018, we exposed the whole northern, western and southern parts of the compound. Besides, systematic tunnel excavations had been conducted in the northern and western parts, which provide us a clear picture of three main stages of construction, destruction and reconstruction.
In the earliest stage IV, for the northern part, there were only two separated platforms, one to the east, another one to the west and both facing to the south. A circular tomb had been put at the northeastern of the western platform. For the western part, there were three separate buildings with the central one as the one of the most important building in the whole compound. In stage III, for the northern part, the noble residence joined the separated stage IV platforms into a long one, on the top of which were established three buildings, one in the middle, one to the east and one to the west; for the western part, they did the same thing. The central building of the western part kept its significance in the compound. Stage II only can be recognized in the northern part and is actually a temporary construction after the destruction of the central building of stage III.
Mexico year sign and cross bundle sculpture
In stage I, for the northern part, the residents after moved the eastern and western buildings of stage III to the east and west respectively, destroyed the central building, constructed a high platform in the middle and built a new central building on its top; for the western part, the central building remained the same, while the northern and southern buildings were rebuilt with sculptures on the front, back and side façades.
Tomb N1 found under stage IV building of the northern part is circular in shape with big cover stones on the top. Three cups and five jade objects were found inside the tomb. Two ceramic vessels, one cup and one bowl were found outside. The vessels in Tomb 1 are transitional between Late Acbi and Early Coner (550-600AD). The Surlo vases deposited here are simpler and primitive, probably a developing type of Surlo. One of the vessels outside Tomb 1 is similar to some vessels from Tomb 2 in terms of surface treatment and decoration (Gualpopa and developing Copador). The other piece, the small pitcher, is primitive or developing Surlo (earlier than the Surlo that is in Tomb 2).
Stage I central building of the northern part
Tomb N2 was made during the construction of the stage III platform of the northern part. Two skeletons were found in the chamber, with 8 ceramic vessels and 4 jade pieces. One tooth with inlaid turquoise was found. The artifact types inside Tomb 2 are clearly diagnostic of Early Coner, which is the beginning of Late Classic (600-800AD). We are talking probably "around" 600-650 AD. Although most of the types are Gualpopa, there are also Caterpilar and developing Copador. Two vessels are from Peten, Guatemala, where Tikal is located. Probably the assemblage was produced at the very beginning of the kingdom of Ruler 12, where he was establishing himself.
In the northern part, our tunnel excavation found a column construction made by stage I people after the destruction of the central building of state III. It has eight columns, four in the south and north respectively. Although it is just like a small emulation of “chorcha” under temple 26 and above the famous tomb of ruler 12, we have strong evidence to say that it is only a temporary construction possible made for the ceremonial burying of the central building of stage III.
Workers cleaning the maize god sculpture
The main job of stage I people in the northern part was the construction of a 5 meters high platform to cover the small “chorcha” with a building on the top which had been totally destroyed. The platform has 12 steps in front and the floor of the building, which is about 40 cm higher than the top of the platform actually is the 13th step. Totally 13 “Mexico year sign and cross bundles” mosaic sculptures were found on the wall of the platform, 5 in the north, 3 in the east and west and 2 in the south.
Although more researches are needed to accurately date the four stages, we still can draw a sketch of the development of this elite compound with the dramatic change happened in the Late Classic Copan kingdom as the background.
The stage IV construction might be a result of the development of the kingdom managing by ruler 7 and 8. The stage III enlargement most likely happened during the long reign of ruler 12 when Copan reached its climax and witnessed the prosperity of elite families. The large scale reconstruction in stage I obviously coincidence with the renaissance and reform of ruler 15 and16 who struggled to maintain the royal authority by allowing elite subordinates to use royal-level symbols which emphasize their association with the rulers.
This construction sequence (four phases) documented to date shows the social, economic and ideological evolution of the group in consonance with the development of the royal family in the city core, especially during the reigns of ruler 11-16 of Copan. Themes restricted to the royal court were conveyed early in architectural sculpture at 8N-11.