Hieroglyphic Stairway

The Hieroglyphic Stairway is a monumental stone staircase in the archaeological site of Copán Ruinas in Honduras, rising along the front of a temple. It consists of several dozen wide steps covered with detailed Maya glyphs and relief carvings that form a continuous inscription across the entire length of the stairway.

The stairway was built during the 8th century under the reign of several successive kings and completed in the year 755. It was intended to document the achievements of the ruling dynasty and demonstrate their connection to earlier kings of the city.

The name of the stairway refers to the many Maya glyphs that cover each step, recording accounts of royal dynasties and their deeds. Visitors today see replicas of some sculptures on the steps, while original pieces are kept in museums to protect them from further weathering.

The stairway is located in the central area of the ruins and is easily reached via the main pathways, though the ground can be uneven in places. Visitors can view the steps from below, but climbing them is often restricted to protect the delicate carvings.

The inscription contains more than 2,200 individual glyphs, making it the longest known Maya text on a single monument. Some steps also feature full sculptures of rulers inserted between the lines of text, adding a visual dimension to the narrative.