Chichn Itz is one of the largest and most famous Mayan ruins. High on the list of its many impressive features is the great ballcourt that lies on the northwest corner of the complex. It was constructed to host a game called tlatchtli, which was played throughout Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica since at least 1,400 BCE. Although not all the details of the game are known today, archaeologists have pieced together enough information to indicate its similarity to the game of ulama, which is probably descended from tlatchtli and is still played today in parts of western Mexico.
The main ballcourt at Chichn Itz follows the usual tlatchtli court design, being shaped like a capital 'I'; many casual observers will also be familiar with the stylized and ornately decorated stone hoops which were affixed at the sides of the court. These hoops were actually a later addition to the game, and probably changed the game considerably from its most widespread earlier form. Before the hoops, we think that tlatchtli was played similar to modern-day takraw or volleyball, minus the net, with two teams attempting to keep the ball in play and force the other team into errors. Once the hoops were added, the possibility of an instant win for one team was instituted, should one of their members manage to pass the game ball through the center of the hoop. This required extraordinary skill, and most games were probably still won on points, which could also be collected by bouncing the ball off the the sides of the hoop.
The exact rules of tlatchtli have apparently been lost to the ages, but given its long lifespan, its not surprising that archaeologists have evidence of many variations and offshoots of the general concept. At different times and places, players may have used wooden bats or rackets to contact the ball, or may have been restricted to body parts like arms or thighs, with improper strikes counting against players. No examples of balls used in an actual game of tlatchtli have yet been discovered, but from paintings and writings we surmise that the game ball was rather large (weighing up to 9 lbs.). Votive balls that were created as offerings and buried in swamps or springs have been uncovered, though these are thought to be purposefully oversized and were probably never used in an actual tlatchtli match.
The balls were probably made out of rubber and Guamol vines, and a typical competition ball of about a 10-12 inch diameter probably weighed between 3 and 6 pounds. It is quite likely, given the experiences of modern-day ulama players, that players routinely suffered injuries that bordered on the severe during play, and Mayan murals seem to confirm that a direct hit to the head or body would sometimes result in gravely wounded or even outright killed competitors. The balls were accorded suitable respect when presented as votive offerings, often being depicted alongside quetzal feathers, that bird being particularly sacred to the Mayans.
Of the many tlatchtli courts that have been found throughout Mesoamerica, the Great Court at Chichn Itz is the largest by far. It measures 45 meters in width by 150 in length, with ornate hoops set well above the playing field at a daunting height for players hoping to score a direct hit. It positively dwarfs the ball court at Tikal, a similarly magnificent city whose ballcourt is only 15 meters wide. Thus, archaeologists have deduced that the court at Chichn Itz was a ceremonial one, likely hosting only the most important or impressive matches between the most proficient athletes.
The popular conception that tlatchtli games went hand in hand with human sacrifice appears to be supported by historical evidence, although this practice was perhaps more popular with the Aztecs than the Maya, having not appeared in the latter culture until the late Classical period. Artwork and sculpture from Aparicio and Chichn Itz seem to depict slaves and captives being sacrificed after losing a game, which was probably not orchestrated fairly. There are also abundant statues and paintings depicting headless ballplayers, with at least some reason to speculate that their decapitated craniums were made a part of the games in some instances.
We must rely similarly on artwork to get an idea of the uniforms worn by tlatchtli players, as no examples have endured the ravages of time. Protective padding seems to have been minimal, and experts suppose that most players wore a simple loincloth, with leather hip guards made of straps wound around he thighs as their only protection. The heft and strength of the ball, coupled with the violence surely utilized during matches in which competitors sometimes played for their very lives, must have meant that a tlatchtli player needed all of his wits, willpower, and a good dose of luck in order to prevail though perhaps the consequences of losing did much to encourage vigorous competition!
The main ballcourt at Chichn Itz follows the usual tlatchtli court design, being shaped like a capital 'I'; many casual observers will also be familiar with the stylized and ornately decorated stone hoops which were affixed at the sides of the court. These hoops were actually a later addition to the game, and probably changed the game considerably from its most widespread earlier form. Before the hoops, we think that tlatchtli was played similar to modern-day takraw or volleyball, minus the net, with two teams attempting to keep the ball in play and force the other team into errors. Once the hoops were added, the possibility of an instant win for one team was instituted, should one of their members manage to pass the game ball through the center of the hoop. This required extraordinary skill, and most games were probably still won on points, which could also be collected by bouncing the ball off the the sides of the hoop.
The exact rules of tlatchtli have apparently been lost to the ages, but given its long lifespan, its not surprising that archaeologists have evidence of many variations and offshoots of the general concept. At different times and places, players may have used wooden bats or rackets to contact the ball, or may have been restricted to body parts like arms or thighs, with improper strikes counting against players. No examples of balls used in an actual game of tlatchtli have yet been discovered, but from paintings and writings we surmise that the game ball was rather large (weighing up to 9 lbs.). Votive balls that were created as offerings and buried in swamps or springs have been uncovered, though these are thought to be purposefully oversized and were probably never used in an actual tlatchtli match.
The balls were probably made out of rubber and Guamol vines, and a typical competition ball of about a 10-12 inch diameter probably weighed between 3 and 6 pounds. It is quite likely, given the experiences of modern-day ulama players, that players routinely suffered injuries that bordered on the severe during play, and Mayan murals seem to confirm that a direct hit to the head or body would sometimes result in gravely wounded or even outright killed competitors. The balls were accorded suitable respect when presented as votive offerings, often being depicted alongside quetzal feathers, that bird being particularly sacred to the Mayans.
Of the many tlatchtli courts that have been found throughout Mesoamerica, the Great Court at Chichn Itz is the largest by far. It measures 45 meters in width by 150 in length, with ornate hoops set well above the playing field at a daunting height for players hoping to score a direct hit. It positively dwarfs the ball court at Tikal, a similarly magnificent city whose ballcourt is only 15 meters wide. Thus, archaeologists have deduced that the court at Chichn Itz was a ceremonial one, likely hosting only the most important or impressive matches between the most proficient athletes.
The popular conception that tlatchtli games went hand in hand with human sacrifice appears to be supported by historical evidence, although this practice was perhaps more popular with the Aztecs than the Maya, having not appeared in the latter culture until the late Classical period. Artwork and sculpture from Aparicio and Chichn Itz seem to depict slaves and captives being sacrificed after losing a game, which was probably not orchestrated fairly. There are also abundant statues and paintings depicting headless ballplayers, with at least some reason to speculate that their decapitated craniums were made a part of the games in some instances.
We must rely similarly on artwork to get an idea of the uniforms worn by tlatchtli players, as no examples have endured the ravages of time. Protective padding seems to have been minimal, and experts suppose that most players wore a simple loincloth, with leather hip guards made of straps wound around he thighs as their only protection. The heft and strength of the ball, coupled with the violence surely utilized during matches in which competitors sometimes played for their very lives, must have meant that a tlatchtli player needed all of his wits, willpower, and a good dose of luck in order to prevail though perhaps the consequences of losing did much to encourage vigorous competition!
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