Copan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇭🇳 Copán, Honduras
About
About Copan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33
Copan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33 in Copán, Honduras is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 14.8370N -89.1420E controls access to Copán resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Copán, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1985 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Copan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33 main structure
c. 1925
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1985–2015
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Copan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
14.8370° N · 89.1420° W · 255 m · 3 mapped features
Copan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
14.8378° N · 89.1411° WCopan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33 — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
14.8360° N · 89.1427° WCopan Hieroglyphic Stairway Step 33 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
14.8385° N · 89.1408° W