I4 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
tures or monuments. This group occupies a comparatively level stretch toward 
the western end of the valley-plain, and is quite large. (See plate 3). 
12. On the crest of the hill forming the western boundary of the valley, 
4.5 kilometers west of the Main Structure, are Stela 10 (the Western Piedra 
Pintada) and Altars J’ and K’, found in its foundations. The summit has been 
leveled and a retaining-wall built along the eastern edge. (See plate 3.) 
13. At Hacienda Grande, in a small valley entering the main valley from the 
north, 5.5 kilometers west of the Main Structure, are the remains of an extensive 
settlement, including several courts and plazas and one stela, 19, with two altars; 
this was the third largest settlement in the valley. (See plate 3.) 
14. In some cliffs along the Rio Sesesmil, 6.5 kilometers north of the modern 
village, are a number of caverns showing signs of human occupation. (See 
plate 3.) 
15. At Llano Grande, 8 kilometers north of the modern village, is a plain 
covered with the remains of stone structures, but no sculptures or monuments. 
(See plate 3.) 
All of these groups, with the exception of Nos. 9 and 10, which are parts 
of the same settlement, and date from the Early Period, probably date from 
the Middle Period. This is almost certainly true of Nos. 1, 2, 3, 8, 12, and 
13, and probably also true of Nos. 11 and 15. Nos. 4, 5, and 6 and possibly 
No. 7 date from the Great Period. 
The settlement at the site of the modern village, Nos. 9 and 10, would 
appear to have been the first in the valley. By the beginning of the Middle 
Period, however, the occupation of the entire region was well under way; and 
finally, by the beginning of the Great Period, the Main Structure had out- 
distanced all the others and had become the religious and governmental 
center of the tribe. 
In closing this description too strong emphasis can not be laid upon the 
fact that every available spot in the valley was intensively occupied in 
ancient times. Wherever one strays from the beaten trails, one encounters 
the vestiges of former occupation: fallen buildings, fragments of elaborate 
sculptural mosaics, pyramids, platforms, terraces, and mounds. Indeed, it 
was not until his seventh and most recent visit to Copan (June 1919) that the 
writer saw Groups 4 and 6 for the first time, although both are within 2.5 
kilometers of the Main Structure. It seems probable, therefore, that future 
investigation will bring to light still other groups, until it will be found that 
practically the entire valley from Santa Rita at the eastern end to Hacienda 
Grande at the western end was one continuous settlement, one city. 
HISTORY OF THE SITE. 
The derivation of the name Copan is not clear. Indeed, it is even 
doubtful whether the city was known by this name in ancient times. The 
earliest-known use of the name as applied to this particular group of ruins 
is in a letter from Don Diego Garcia de Palacio, Oidor of the Audiencia Real 
1For other descriptions of Copan, consult the bibliography on page 617 et seq. 
