Bioarchaeology of Copan: Migration, Kinship, and Households
 

     Copan was a dense urban center during the Late Classic (AD 600-820) nestled in a valley rich in resources for subsistence and expansive trade. The large neighborhoods and residences around the monumental architectures of the city center have been extensively excavated, recovering the remains of more than 800 individuals from Late Classic burial contexts. The analysis of the biological relationships, migration patterns, and material culture allow for a nuanced reconstruction of the city's population that included many migrants and various forms of social organization at the household and neighborhood levels.