Quiriguá in Los Amates, Izabal, Guatemala — Central America
The Ball Court Plaza
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 16, 2016
1. The Ball Court Plaza Marker
El juego de pelota entre los Mayas era además de un juego, un rito importante dentro de su cosmovisión, ya que la pelota representa el curso del Sol sobre el cielo en su viaje diario, así como la batalla entre el bien y el mal.
Los patios para el juego de pelota se localizaban siempre en asentamientos prehispánicos, constan de dos estructuras paralelas. La pelota era el caucho.
Fotografias, textos y diseño: Demopre
Court Ball
The ball game bethween (sic) the Maya was also a game, an important ritual in their religion, and the ball represents the course of the sun on the sky in its daily journey, as well as the battle between good and evil.
This courts for ballgames are always located in prehispanic settlements, consisting of two parallel structures. The ball used was made of rubber.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans.
Location. 15° 16.167′ N, 89° 2.441′ W. Marker is in Quiriguá, Izabal
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Acropolis at Quiriguá (within shouting distance of this marker); A Contemporary Altar at Quiriguá (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Stelas of Quiriguá (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Great Plaza at Quirigua (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Quirigua within the Context of the Mayan Cities (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Quirigua: History of the City, its Environment and Discovery (approx. half a kilometer away).
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 16, 2016
2. The Ball Court Plaza Marker
This view shows the marker with the remains of the ball court in the background.
3. An example of a Ball Court player
Although not from Quiriguá, this drawing gives an example of how a Mayan ball player would appear. It shows Sak Ch’een, lord of Motul de San José (Petén, Guatemala), dressed as a ball player with a large yoke, painted deerskin hip guards, and an elaborate headdress. He is dropping onto his knee to strike the ball, which may be exaggerated to show that it is approaching the viewer. The image comes from a vase, dated to 650-800 AD.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
