Escalinata de los Jeroglíficos, Maya archaeological monument in Copán, Honduras
The Escalinata de los Jeroglíficos is a stairway covered with Maya hieroglyphs carved into its steps, forming the longest known inscription from this civilization. The structure features large stone blocks with human figures seated along the way, rising across multiple levels.
The stairway was built around the mid-8th century under a Maya ruler who wanted to document his reign and his family's accomplishments permanently in stone. The monument shows how important it was to the Maya culture to preserve their history this way.
The inscriptions tell the stories of rulers who governed this city and show how the Maya wanted to record their power and accomplishments. Visitors can see how these messages were carved into stone and understand the importance this stairway held for the people who built it.
The stairway is surrounded by a protective covering to preserve the carved details, which allows visitors to see the carvings up close. Plan your visit during daylight and ideally with a guide who can explain what the inscriptions mean.
The stairway contains over one thousand large stone blocks, each cut and carved by hand with hieroglyphs, representing an extraordinary effort for a single monument. These blocks were fitted so precisely that the structure has endured for more than a thousand years.
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