8 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
Maudslay’s map of the Main Structure is based upon a survey made in 
1885.! It is exceedingly accurate, probably as accurate as can be without 
complete excavation to determine the exact positions of corners and interior 
plans. He also figures several elevations, which go far toward simplifying 
the complexity of the Acropolis.” 
The plan of Copan published by the Peabody Museum of Harvard 
University, based upon the survey made by Gordon in 1892-1895, enumer- 
ates 56 more important mounds at the Main Structure.’ 
Mr. W. V. Alford has published a map of Copan‘ based upon a survey he 
made about 1893. Although fairly accurate, it falls far short of the map made 
by the Fourth Peabody Museum Expedition, and it contributes nothing to 
the knowledge of the site. 
The map of the Main Structure used in this volume (see plate 6) is 
based upon the Maudslay and Gordon surveys and the relief map in the 
Peabody Museum. ‘The drawing has been considerably simplified, a more 
diagrammatic presentation being desired, particularly in the manner of 
showing the substructures and temple ground-plans.* 
The most prominent part of the Main Structure is the great irregular 
mass of pyramids, temples, and plazas, which may properly be called the 
Acropolis. This lofty construction or, more correctly speaking, group of 
constructions, reaches a maximum elevation of 40 meters above the mean 
low level of the river,® and with the grove of trees on its summit is the most 
conspicuous landmark in the valley. (See plate 4.) Here are the most 
important temples, and here doubtless centered the religious life of the city. 
It contains three main plazas: the Eastern and Western Courts and the 
Court of the Hieroglyphic Stairway, all the principal temples facing on one or 
the other of these, Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21, 21a, and 22 on the first, No. 16 on the 
second, and Nos. 7, 9, 10, 11, and 26 on the third. (See plate 6.) 
It should be remembered that the Acropolis was not all planned and 
built at the same time, but that it grew gradually, now a temple here, now a 
pyramid there. It is evident from the cross-section exposed by the river that 
it began in a small way. Five or six different paved plaza levels may be 
traced before we reach the final levels of the Eastern and Western Courts as 
they were at the close of the Great Period. As yet we have no exact data 
as to how long the Acropolis was in course of construction, that is, the 
period of time which elapsed between the building of the lowest and the 
highest plaza levels, although evidence has been presented elsewhere (page 

I1Maudslay, 1889-1902, vol. 1, plate 1; and vol. 1 of text, pp. 17, 18. 
*Ibid., vol. 1, plates 2 and 3. In a description of Copan, written by Allen in 1885, there is a perspective 
drawing of the Main Structure based upon Stephens’s map. ‘This is very crude, even showing the section exposed 
by the river as a masonry wall. See Allen, 1885, p. 568. 
3Gordon, 1896, plate I. 
4See Alford, 1899, p. 10. 
’This map was made by Mr. Malcolm Willoughby at the Peabody Museum. In addition to the use of much 
unpublished material belonging to the Museum, the writer had the benefit of the Director’s advice on several 
important points, particularly with reference to the ground-plans of Temples 11, 20, 21, 21a, and 22. 
6&Gordon, 1896, p. 9. 
