This altar is a late 8th-century CE stone sculpture displayed in the Copan Sculpture Museum. It stands approximately 3 feet high and spans 6 feet wide, bearing an array of low-relief carvings and having resisted significant wear over its lifespan.
Altar Q is square in shape, similar to a table. Its four sides are embellished with carvings of sixteen figures, representing sequential rulers of the ancient Maya city of Copan. Each ruler is seated on glyphs symbolizing their names, and is depicted with detailed facial features, unique attire, and distinguishing animals, indicating their particular reign and divine affiliations.
The upper design of the artifact demonstrates the 16th ruler, Yax Pac, receiving the staff of office from the city's founder, K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo'. This depiction emphasizes the continuous transfer of power, underscoring the dynastic tradition.
The engraved glyphs provide a historical account of Copan rulers from 426 CE to 763 CE. Crucial data regarding their reigns, significant events, and relationships with surrounding Mayan cities can be obtained from this primary source.
Altar Q is not merely an artistic piece, it serves as a historical document reflecting the socio-political dynamism of the ancient Maya civilisation. Every attribute, from the carving style to the glyphs, conveys information about the artisanal skills, aesthetic norms, and political environment of the civilization. The incorporation of intricate carvings and hieroglyphs demonstrates the superior stonework skills and advanced linguistic systems of the Mayan civilization.
