Centralidad del Templo 16 durante el Reino de Yax Pasaj en Copán

Research on Temple 16 at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Copán reveals its central role during the reign of Yax Pasaj, the last ruler of the founder's dynasty. Analysis of architectural sculptures identified 63 distinct motifs, organizing them into three key iconographic themes: the temple as a symbolic mountain representing the dwelling and resurrection of the ancestral founder; the site as a place for rituals commemorating war and human sacrifice; and its representation of the universe. The study highlights how public art, combining local Maya and foreign Teotihuacan imagery, served to legitimize Yax Pasaj's rule while emphasizing large-scale cultural heritage. This approach underscores the temple's significance in political and ritual practices during the Late Classic period (430 A.C.).

Ramos, J. (2017). Centrality of the Temple 16 during the Kingdom of Yax Pasaj in Copán. Ciencias Espaciales, 9(2), 107–124. https://doi.org/10.5377/ce.v9i2.5161