Bioarchaeology at Copán, Honduras

A groundbreaking bioarchaeological study at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Copán, Honduras, sheds new light on Maya society's complex social structures and health dynamics. The research reveals significant variations in skeletal remains, indicating distinct social hierarchies and possibly gender-based labor divisions within the ancient city. Analyzing 150 individuals from different burial contexts, the study employs stable isotope analysis, paleopathology, and dental wear patterns to reconstruct dietary practices, mortality rates, and the impact of environmental stress on Copán's inhabitants during its peak (2nd-8th centuries CE). This approach offers unprecedented insights into the biological and social dimensions of a major Maya center, challenging previous assumptions about its demographic composition.

Suzuki, S., & Price, T. D. (2022). Bioarchaeology at Copán, Honduras. The Routledge Handbook of Mesoamerican Bioarchaeology, 306–325. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429341618-20