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Mesoamerican ballgame
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The Mesoamerican ballgame was a sport with ritual associations played since at least 1650 BCE by the people of Ancient Mesoamerica. The sport had different versions in different places during the mill
The ball in front of the goal during a game of pok-ta-pok, 2006
The ball in front of the goal during a game of pok-ta-pok, 2006
A view into the ballcourt at Chichen Itza
A view into the ballcourt at Chichen Itza
Some ballcourts had upper goals (called tlachtemalacatl), such as this one at Chichén Itzá, scoring on which would end the match instantly.
Some ballcourts had upper goals (called tlachtemalacatl), such as this one at Chichén Itzá, scoring on which would end the match instantly.
A modern Sinaloa ulama player. The outfit is similar to that worn by Aztec players.
A modern Sinaloa ulama player. The outfit is similar to that worn by Aztec players.
Human sacrifice in Aztec culture
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Human sacrifice was a common practice in many parts of Mesoamerica. The rite was not new to the Aztecs when they arrived at the Valley of Mexico, nor was it something unique to pre-Columbian Mexico. O
Mesoamerican ballgame
…called Teotlachco ("in the holy ballcourt")—here several important rituals would take place on the festivals of the month Panquetzalitzli, including the sacrifice of four war captives to the honor of Huitzilopochtli and his herald Paynal. For the Aztecs, the playing of the ballgame also had religious significance…
Human sacrifice as shown in the Codex Magliabechiano, Folio 70. Heart-extraction was viewed as a means of liberating the Istli and reuniting it with t
Human sacrifice as shown in the Codex Magliabechiano, Folio 70. Heart-extraction was viewed as a means of liberating the Istli and reuniting it with the sun: the victim's transformed heart flies to the sun on a trail of blood.
A jaguar-shaped cuauhxicalli in the National Museum of Anthropology. This altar-like stone vessel was used to hold the hearts of sacrificial victims.
A jaguar-shaped cuauhxicalli in the National Museum of Anthropology. This altar-like stone vessel was used to hold the hearts of sacrificial victims. See also chacmool.
A tzompantli, or skull rack, as shown in the post-Conquest Codex Tovar
A tzompantli, or skull rack, as shown in the post-Conquest Codex Tovar
Decapitated ball player
Decapitated ball player