The ancient ruins of Copan lie in the Motagua on the Rio Copan near Guatemala. They lie on the far southern frontier of the Maya expansion. In this fertile valley now lies a city of about 3,000, a small airport, and a winding road. The ancient ruins of Copan lie a mile east of the present town (Copan).

Copan is considered a classic Maya center with ruins covering about forty acres including an acropolis with five plazas. The Maya of the Copan Valley are said to have occupied the valley starting in the Preclassic Period (1,300- 900 BC). They lived there until the time of the Spanish Conquest. From the beginning, Copan was geographically, economically and culturally distinct from other Maya lowland sites.

The Maya started building Copan during the fifth century. The first dated monument at Copan is 465 AD. During the next 200 years, the valley underwent drastic changes. Their economy transformed from hunting and fishing to farming. In 667 AD, the Astronomical City was built. This is where most of the temples and other structures were located. During the next few decades, all efforts went into building the Astronomical City and Old Copan was put on hold.

By the 5th century, it is believed that Copan society was ruled by a chiefdom . Elite citizens lived in plaster coated, dressed masonry structures near major public buildings. They had access to fine imported goods, such as ceramic and shell. The rest of Copan's population lived further away in cobblestone constructions. These people were buried with relatively modest ceramic offerings. However, there is clear evidence of institutionalized rulership (or chiefdom organization) in the form of the early hieroglyphic monuments; and in the public architecture of the earliest ball court.

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