Chinese archaeologists have identified the structure and collapse of the northern terminus building in Group 8N-11, an aristocratic compound in Copán, an ancient Maya city located in modern-day western Honduras. There they discovered many carvings and artifacts that provide crucial evidence about the function of the complex.

The terminus is the largest in the compound, covering an area of approximately 2,500 square meters. To improve the efficiency and quality of the excavation, archaeologists applied a series of advanced technologies, such as three-dimensional imaging, information digitization and stratigraphic analysis.

Similarity to Chinese culture

After months of excavation, Chinese archaeologists have confirmed the structure of the terminus. It has a three-tier foundation. The second tier has 13 groups of sculptures that consist of the Mexican year sign and crossed bundles, which is the same as the pattern on the structure 29 in the royal palace zone, indicating the high status of the building.

The number 13 is holy in Mayan civilization, which used a ceremonial calendar similar to China’s Heavenly stems and Earthly Branches, a calendar system invented by ancient Chinese people to calculate the history of 5,000 years and record the chronological sequence of events.

Jade and god-faced incense burners uncovered in the site also provide crucial evidence indicating the significance of the building.

Li Xinwei, a research fellow from the Institute of Archaeology (IA) at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) responsible for the excavation in the project, said Chinese and Mayan cultures have parallels, but there is no evidence of direct interaction in the past.

Li said the similarities probably result from the cultural genes brought by human groups from Asia when they crossed the frozen Bering Sea Strait in successive migrations to the Americas.

K.C. Chang, late anthropologist and archaeologist at Harvard University, articulated a theory known as the “succession of the Mayan and Chinese civilizations.” Zhang believed that the people who crossed the Bering Strait from Asia to North America already had a developed culture, and that Chinese civilization and the Mayan civilization of Mesoamerica can be considered descendants of the same ancestors.

Li said there are still various remains to be unearthed and collected from the compound, and more accurate conclusions have yet to be reached. However, one thing is certain: the discoveries are of tremendous value to study the development and evolution of the Copán site, Li noted.

Comprehensive research

After the Mayan civilization collapsed, descendants of the ancient Mayan people remained in settlements in Central America, including Copán. Today, Mayan language experts believe that the indigenous dialect spoken in Copán is the closest language to that spoken by ancient Mayans.

To gain more context for the findings of the excavation, Chinese archaeologists visited Mayan villages several times to learn about their production and lifestyle, such as cooking and pottery making.

Li said such ethnoarchaeology studies are conducive to gaining insight into ancient Mayan culture. Chinese scholars were warmly welcomed by local residents, who believe they will help promote cultural heritage protection and tourism development, Li noted.

Going forward

The excavations and studies of the Copán site in 2015 have served China’s national strategy well by enhancing cultural communication and exchanges between China and Honduras and elevating Chinese archaeology’s reputation in the world, said Wang Wei, CASS Member and head of the IA.

This participation in research on major civilizations creates a favorable environment for a comparative study between Chinese and Western culture, Wang said.

The excavation team is getting ready to publish results through public speeches, documentaries and relics exhibitions, Wang added.

In 2016, the team will continue to explore the northern terminus of the compound, collect and collate unearthed items, and complete the preliminary report, he said.

Zhang Chunhai is a reporter at the Chinese Social Sciences Today.