Copán Bench Panel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Copán Bench Panel |
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|---|---|
| Material | Stone |
| Size | Length of left and right panels - c. 263 cm each |
| Weight | c. 321 kg (each panel) |
| Writing | Mayan Script |
| Created | 775 AD |
| Discovered | Copan, Honduras |
| Present location | British Museum, London |
| Registration | Am1923,Maud.15 |
The Copán Bench Panel is a special stone carving from the ancient Maya. It was once part of Temple 11 in the city of Copán in Honduras.
An English archaeologist named Alfred Maudslay found this amazing piece in the late 1800s. Today, it is a key part of the British Museum's collection of ancient items from Central America. The panel was made around 775 AD. It is both a beautiful work of art and an important historical record about Maya kings.
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What Does the Copán Bench Panel Show?
This stone bench is made of two long pieces. When put together, they are over 5 meters (about 16 feet) long!
Figures and Text on the Panel
Both parts of the panel show twenty people sitting. They are split into two groups of ten, facing each other. In the middle, there is a special section with hieroglyphic writing. Hieroglyphs are like ancient pictures and symbols used for writing.
The Story of King Yax-Pac
Experts believe this huge sculpture shows King Yax-Pac becoming king. His ancestors, who were kings before him, are shown watching. King Yax-Pac is seated to the right of the central writing. It is thought that showing these past kings helped to prove his right to be the new ruler. The pictures on the bench panel are very similar to another famous Maya stone called the Copán Altar Q.
Where Did the Panel Come From?
Alfred Maudslay found this bench panel in pieces in 1881. It was on a raised platform inside Temple 11 at Copán.
Journey to England
Maudslay sent the panel to England along with other sculptures from the site. Later, he gave most of his collection to the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 1923, the Victoria and Albert Museum then moved Maudslay's original sculptures and many copies to the British Museum.
