Radiography at Copán
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Research Year:  2002
Culture:  Maya
Chronology:  Classic
Location:  Copán Ruins, Honduras
Site:  Copán

Table of Contents

Abstract
Research Goals and Results
Introduction
Goal 1: To Establish a Radiographic Inventory of the Remains from the Hunal, Margarita, and Motmot Tombs
Goal 2: To Survey All Remains for Evidence of Pathology Not Visible Externally
Goal 3: To Investigate Individual-Specific Forms of Pathology and Activity-Related Changes
Concluding Statement
Acknowledgments
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

FAMSI support was essential to conduct the Copán Radiography Project. Goals accomplished in the course of this investigation included creating a radiographic archive for remains from  (a) the Hunal tomb (attributed to Ruler 1, Knich Yax K’uk Mo’),  (b) the Margarita tomb, and  (c) the central interment from the Motmot Tomb. The remains from the Hunal and Margarita tombs were x-rayed within the tunnels at the base of Copán’s Acropolis. The Motmot skeleton was recorded within Copán’s Centro de Investigaciones. The use of Polaroid x-ray film permitted immediate determination of film quality and of skeletal features requiring further investigation. In all remains we sought evidence of pathology not visible externally as well as evidence of disuse atrophy associated with the remarkable blunt force trauma evident in the remains of Yax K’uk Mo’. Survey of the Motmot remains focused upon evaluating the midshaft fracture of the right forearm and the overall gracility of bones from throughout the skeleton.

Submitted 04/04/2003 by:
Jane E. Buikstra
buikstra@unm.edu

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