ball courts

Ball courts are ancient, specialized playing fields used for the Mesoamerican ballgame, a ritual sport played by civilizations like the Maya and Aztecs. The courts are usually long and narrow with sloped sides, featuring stone walls or rings along the sides. Players used a rubber ball, aiming to pass it through stone hoops or keep it in play using their hips, depending on the version. These courts held not only sporting events but also ceremonial and political significance, symbolizing cosmic or spiritual themes. They are important archaeological sites, revealing insights into the culture and beliefs of early American societies.