Did the Maya Really Sacrifice Their Ballgame Players?

[Judi Lynn]

By Laura Geggel, Associate Editor | June 1, 2019 08:15am ET

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A ballgame scene painted on a cylindrical, ceramic vessel that dates to between A.D. 682 and 701.
Credit: Courtesy of the Dallas Museum of Art


Imagine a crowd roaring as royalty take to the ball court, rubber ball in hand in a sport so spectacular, it symbolized good versus evil. The ballgame played by the Maya, Aztec and neighboring cultures is famous for its ubiquity in Mesoamerica before interloping Europeans shut it down. But many mysteries and misconceptions continue to dog people's understanding of the game.

For instance, did the game's winners or losers get sacrificed at the end of the game? And were the hoops on the ball courts treated like modern-day basketball nets?

The answer to both questions is no; the players were most likely not sacrificed, and the ball wasn't meant to go through the hoop, although it likely happened from time to time, said Christophe Helmke, an associate professor at the Institute of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen. [What's the Toughest Sport?]

"It would have been really horrible if your best players were sacrificed all the time," said Helmke, who explained the inner workings of the game to Live Science.

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This relief on limestone dating to A.D. 700-800 shows two Maya men, dressed in elaborate costumes, playing a ritual ballgame.
Credit: Ada Turnbull Hertle Fund

More:
https://www.livescience.com/65611-how-to-play-maya-ballgame.html

Also posted in Anthropology:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/12294742

[Liberty Belle]

1. Well the Romans used to let crowds decided whether to kill the gladiators or not,

if one lost a battle in the Roman arenas.

[Judi Lynn]

2. So glad you took the time to point that out! Had forgotten altogether.

Yes, theirs became an enormous spectacle/ritual, too. Good grief!

So many people were involved, as spectators, as well, for so long. So savage it doesn't seem possible, but it was a big deal then, too.

Really glad you jogged memories for anyone who sees your post.

That's the kind of thing people should never forget!

Thanks.