382 THE INSCRIPTIONS AT COPAN. 
and Quirigua, all of which drew their artistic inspiration from the great 
southern metropolis, and all of which were probably colonized therefrom. 
The last four probably date from the close of the Middle Period or the begin- 
ning of the Great Period and are but another expression of that great expan- 
sion which began at Copan in g.11.0.0.0 and continued in ever-widening 
waves for the next century and a quarter. 
ALTARS I AND 2 AT Rio AMARILLO. 
Provenance: On a terrace at the foot of the hills on the east side of 
the Copan River, 30 kilometers northeast of Copan. 
(See figs. 57 and 58.) 
. Date: The Great Period. 
Text, drawing: figures 59 and 60. 
Reference: Morley, 1917c, pp. 287, 288. 
ae 4 ——— 
SS “iy 
. Tif}|\ 

LEGEND 
B@ ALTARS 


Fic. 58.—Plan of the ruins of Rio Amarillo. 
Rio Amarillo is located 30 kilometers northeast of Copan, on the east 
bank of the Copan River, at the foot of the hills on the east side of the valley. 
The road from La Florida to Copan, after emerging from the hills and just 
before crossing to the west bank of the river (see figs. 57 and 58), passes 
along the edge of the terrace where both Altars 1 and 2 lie. 
Altar 1 is approximately square, being 86 cm. long, 84 cm. wide, and 30 
cm. high. The top and bottom are plain, each of the four sides having 3 
