What was the Ball Court in Chichen Itza used for?
The Grand Ball Court of Chichén had multiple purposes and was an important site of sociopolitical power. In Chichén Itzá, there are a total of 17 ball courts that received visitors from around this capital city for possible trials, matches, inaugurations, and even large celebrations.
What are the four 4 special parts of Chichen Itza?
The four most well-known clusters are the Great North Platform, the Ossario Group, the Central Group and the Old Chichen, which is not open to the public. The Great North Platform is home to the most visited sites of Chichen Itza, including the Kukulkan Pyramid, the Great Ball Court and the Temple of the Jaguars.
What is the wall of skulls at Chichen Itza?
The Tzompantli
The structure is a large platform whose most notable details is the collocation of the skulls in the bas-relief decoration which gives the structure its name: The Platform of the Skulls. The base is sustained by three tableaux decorated with skulls and divided by mouldings.
What is special about Chichen Itza?
At its peak, Chichen Itza was the most populous city in the entire Yucatan Peninsula. Even today, its ruins reflect a great civilization filled with architectural marvels and ancient secrets. Chichen Itza has several zones or “complexes” that reflect different architectural styles are periods of development.
What were Mayan ball courts used for?
More than a game, a very special ritual. Through archeological discovery it became evident to experts that Mayans were indeed pretty good sportsmen. The Mayans built grandiose ballcourts to organize games that had ritualistic implications.
What were ball courts used for?
Although ballcourts are primarily associated with the ballgame, archaeological excavation indicates they were used for other purposes as well, like feasting, ritual performances, and other types of sports, including boxing. Likewise, the ballgame may have been played in locations outside the ballcourt.
What are 5 interesting facts about Chichen Itza?
This famous Mayan site may not be entirely Mayan.
What is inside Chichen Itza?
Further excavations revealed that it had nine platforms, a single stairway, and a temple containing human remains, a jade-studded jaguar throne, and a so-called Chac Mool. The Chac Mool is a type of Maya sculpture of an abstract male figure reclining and holding a bowl used as a receptacle for sacrifices.
Why are sugar skulls so colorful?
Their name comes from the clay molded sugar that authentic sugar skulls are made from, before being decorated with feathers, colored beads, foils and icing. The skulls are very bright and cheerful, meant to celebrate the lives of the deceased.
What is the wall of skulls?
Tzompantli is an Aztec word that means “skull rack,” “wall of skulls,” or “skull banner.” While the existence of these racks is undeniably macabre, their discovery has been a boon to archeology.
What are 3 facts about Chichen Itza?
What is the significance of the Mayan ball game?
Some ball games were played to resolve bitter disputes between rival cities or as a proxy for war. The Maya also saw the game as a battle between the gods of death and the gods of life or between good and evil. They also saw it as a reminder of the Hero Twins, who overcame death and became demi-gods themselves.