Near San Pedro Columbia, Toledo, Belize — Central America
Ball Court
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 16, 2017
1. Ball Court Marker
Ball Court
Structures 21 & 22
This ballcourt was built between 800-900 A.D. Four figurines and three metates (grinding stones) were found here. Amongst the construction fill material lay broken bits of stucco painted red and purplish-black. Throughout ancient Maya territory, the sacred ball game (pok-ta-pok) in modern Yucatec) was played in urban centers. There were private and public ballcourts, as the ball game was an integral part of the social system that included religion, government, politics, and family life.
Institute of Archaeology
National Institute of Culture and History
Erected by National Institute of Culture and History (NICH).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Man-Made Features • Sports.
Location. 16° 16.951′ N, 88° 57.551′ W. Marker is near San Pedro Columbia, Toledo. Marker can be reached from Southern Highway. The marker is near the ball court at the Lubaantún Archaeological Site, reachable off the Southern Highway between the towns of San Pedro Columbia and San Miguel. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 27 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tomb #1 (approx. 14.9 kilometers away);
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Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 16, 2017
2. Ball Court Marker
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 16, 2017
3. A view of the Lubaantún Archaeological Site.
The ball court is towards the left in this view of a sunken plaza.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 16, 2017
4. A temple at Lubaantún
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 16, 2017
5. A distinctive temple at Lubaantún, with trees growing from it.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 16, 2017
6. A ball court marker from Lubaantún, from a photo at the visitors center.
The original ball court markers from Lubaantún were removed in 1915 and are currently in the Harvard Peabody Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 3, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
