| PYRAMIDS & BALL COURTS OF THE MAYA KINGDOMS: MEXICO & GUATEMALA (24 Feb-9 Mar 2007) | www.alexpeditions.net |
Chichén Itzá Mérida & KabahUxmalPalenqueYaxchilánBonampakTulumSian Ka'an & CancúnTikalParque NacionalChicago |
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| Location: Monument: Period: Date: |
Chichén Itzá, State Quintana Roo, México Great Ball Court: East Wall relief (detail) Terminal Classic (800-900 AD) 900-1000 AD |
Comments: One of the symbolic functions of the ball game was public reenactment of warfare. It also incorporated human sacrifices. In some instances, victorious ballplayers decapitated the defeated ones. Here the winner carries the head of the looser just cut off by obsidian knife. |
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