Mayan Ball Game
Mayan Ball Game. Pok-a-tok. Dates back to around 3000 BC Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs. Very sacred to the Mayans. Reenactment of the Mayan myth of the Hero Twins Most key cities in Mesoamerica had a ballcourt as part of their ceremonial center Extension of their religion / polytheistic.
Mayan Ball Game
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Presentation Transcript
Pok-a-tok • Dates back to around 3000 BC • Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs
Very sacred to the Mayans • Reenactment of the Mayan myth of the Hero Twins • Most key cities in Mesoamerica had a ballcourt as part of their ceremonial center • Extension of their religion / polytheistic
Facts • The players were working as a team to beat another team of players • The goal was to get the ball through a hoop • The goal was also NOT to touch the ball with one's hands, like soccer is today. • Huge structures were built just for playing • The games attracted very large numbers of people to watch • Gambling on who would win was common
More facts • 2 to 11 players per team • Rubber ball 6 to 20 inches in diameter • Weighs around 5 lbs • Game ends when ball goes through ring or ball hits ground. • What happens to winners? • Sacrifice
