2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY "Going Beyond The Infinite...But Not Beyond The Rabbit Hole"

18 Rabbit (Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil) was the 13th and most celebrated ruler of the ancient Maya city of Copán (in modern-day Honduras), ruling from 695 to 738 AD. He is most famous for transforming Copán into an artistic and cultural masterpiece before his beheading by the rival city of Quiriguá.Key Monuments

During his reign, 18 Rabbit oversaw the creation of Copán's most iconic monuments, which are highly regarded for their three-dimensional, high-relief carvings.The Great Plaza Stelae: He commissioned a series of towering stone monuments (Stelae A, B, C, D, F, and H) that depict him in various divine and athletic guises, including as a ballplayer and the Maize God.

The Hieroglyphic Stairway: While completed later, he began the legacy of the stairway, which features thousands of glyphs recording the dynastic history of Copán.Ballcourt: The final, most renowned version of the Copán ballcourt was completed during his reign, considered one of the most beautiful in Mesoamerica.

The simian sculptures of Copán are two famous, intricately carved stone figures adorning Temple 11 within the ancient Maya site in Honduras.

On May 3, 738 AD, 13th-century Copán ruler Waxaklajuun Ub'aah K'awiil (known as 18 Rabbit) was captured and publicly beheaded. His execution was orchestrated by his former vassal and rival King K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat (Cauac Sky) of the Quiriguá polity, an event that permanently altered the balance of Maya power.

Alright, HAL. I'll go in through the emergency airlock.

HAL: Without your space helmet, Dave? You're going to find that rather difficult.