The Copan Acropolis is separated in two small patios or courts; the West Court is flanked by four structures numbered 11, 13, 14 and 16. In this court in front of Structure 16 is located the replica of Altar Q, the original resting within the Sculpture Museum at the site entrance, this altar marked the entrance to the structure where an offering was found containing 15 feline skeletons that were identified by specialist Dian Ballinger as the remains of Jaguars. Alongside these skeletons were additional offerings. On this court there are also some other sculptures like the false ball court markers situated on the floor in front of Temple 11 called the Spectators Tribune, this false court is believed to have ceremonial uses.

The second patio or East Court was in ancient times surrounded on its eastern side by several structures. Now these structures have disappeared, having long since fallen into the Copan River; before it was rerouted, instead of these structures the river left the Archaeological Cut which has been restored to its present state yielding information which would have been very costly to extract using traditional excavation methods. Some of these structures, although no longer present, were studied and excavated by the early explorers such as Maudslay, whose foresight saved information that would have been lost to the river.