On January 24 The Copan Association welcomed President Roberto Micheletti (now former) who spent the day touring the CRIA (Centro Regional de Investigaciones Arqueológicas) the Rosalila Tunnel, and the Ancient Ruins of Copan. Ricardo Agurcia, Executive Director of the Copan Association, accompanied the President and his entourage.

From June 28, 2009 until January 27, 2010 President Micheletti lead Honduras through a difficult political era and today was given a standing ovation at the basilica where he attended mass after vacating the presidential residence. The sometimes difficult political process culminated on January 27, 2010 with the peaceful transition of power to the new popular elected president Porfiirio Lobo Sosa.

ASCOPAN was pleased to welcome President Micheletti, his wife and some of the cabinet of ministers on their special tour of the facilities. Honduras has come through its crisis and looks forward to the future.

Copan Association's Executive Director Ricardo Agurcia was awarded the "Oja de Laurel en Oro 2009" on the 26 of December 2009.

The recently discovered Maya Tomb is featured in the September/October 2009 edition of Archaeology Magazine.

Introduction

WHO WE ARE:

The Copan Association is a Honduran non-profit organization founded in 1990 dedicated to the research and conservation of national heritage.

We promote and support:

• Research, education and conservation of the cultural and natural heritage of Honduras.
• Training for Hondurans in Anthropology and related fields.
• Projects that promote intelligent stewardship of the cultural and natural landscape.

Founded and guided by leaders in Middle American research, the Copan Association has been directed since its creation by Ricardo Agurcia Fasquelle, Honduran archaeologist and community leader.

Honduran business people and philanthropists work with national and international scholars on our board of directors to guide this institution.

WHERE

We are located in the small town of Copan Ruinas, in western Honduras, one kilometer from the Maya archaeological site of Copan and three blocks from the town’s main square.

We work within Honduras as consultants and liaisons for national or international funds. We carry out projects designed to educate, to enhance the cultural history experience of visitors, and to preserve Honduran heritage for future generations.