What was the ball game played by the Maya and Aztec?
Quick Answer
It was a ritual ball game played in Mesoamerica with deep religious and political meaning. Different versions were played for more than 2,000 years.
The Full Story
Mesoamerican ball games were played by cultures including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec, using a rubber ball and a court with high walls. The game had symbolic associations with cosmic struggle, fertility, and rulership, though rules varied across time and place. Some versions required players to strike the ball with hips, thighs, or forearms rather than hands. The game appears in art and myth and was one of the most important ritual sports in ancient Mesoamerica.
Key Facts
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"The ancient ball game that was about more than sport"
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