Chichén Itzá
Title
Chichén Itzá
Publisher
Lawrence Technological University
Date Created
February 7, 2018
Alternative Title or Name
Ball Court
Creator2
Aluzzo, Adrienne (photographer)
Work Type
Single Built Works
Date
c. 1000
Work Location
Mexico (nation)
Chichén Itzá (deserted settlement)
Style/Period
Late Classic
Subject
walls
ball courts (Mesoamerican)
Description
Detail view of wall along one side of the Ball Court at Chichen Itza, Mexico. "The Great Ballcourt of Chichen Itza, measuring 146 m x 36 m, is the largest in Mesoamerica. It was constructed between 1050 and 1200 CE and is also unusual in that the sides of the court are vertical and not sloped as in most other courts. Temple platforms close off each end of the court. The lower parts of the walls and the ring on each wall are decorated with carvings of snakes. The dimensions of the court are so grand that it is difficult to envisage actual games being played here. The rings, for example, through which players had to direct the solid rubber ball, are placed at a height of 8 m. The relief carvings on the walls of the court remind us of the ritual function of ball games; for example, there is a gruesome scene of two seven-man teams facing each other and one team captain decapitating the losing captain of the opposition. It is a scene repeated on all six relief panels along the two benches of the ballcourt,"--Ancient History Encyclopedia.
Material/Medium
stone (worked rock)
limestone
Reproduction Type
jpeg
Copyright Statement
©2013 Lawrence Technological University. These images may be used for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes without the explicit permission of LTU.
ID Number
2017MX-127
- Date Added
- January 17, 2018
- Collection
- LTU Digital Images
- Item Type
- VRA Core
- Tags
- courts, Mayan, stonework, walls
- Citation
- “Chichén Itzá,” LTU Digital Images, accessed March 29, 2024, https://ltuimagecollection.omeka.net/items/show/17514.