The ancient Maya revered their ball games, imbuing them with social, political, and spiritual significance. Recent archaeological findings reveal a deeper layer to this reverence, suggesting ritualistic practices were integral to the very ground these games were played upon. A new study published in PLoS One details the discovery of a unique ritual deposit beneath a ball court platform in Yaxnohcah, a Maya city located in present-day Mexico, near the Guatemalan border.
This discovery provides compelling evidence of the profound importance of sport within Maya communities. The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) from the deposit uncovered traces of medicinal and hallucinogenic plants, strongly indicating a ritualistic purpose behind their burial. “The concentrated presence of these four plants, known for their cultural significance to the Maya, suggests a deliberate and purposeful collection placed under the platform,” explained Eric Tepe, a botanist at the University of Cincinnati and co-author of the study.
Mesoamerican ball games held immense cultural weight. While the specific rules likely varied across regions and time periods, the core objective revolved around keeping a solid rubber ball in constant motion within a narrow, walled court. Players used their torsos and hips, rather than hands or feet, to propel the ball against the angled walls. This dynamic gameplay bears similarities to modern sports like volleyball and racquetball.
The remains of a ballcourt in Mexico.Remnants of a Mayan ball court in Mexico. Photo: Dennis Jarvis
Approximately 2,300 potential ball courts have been identified across modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. This widespread presence underscores the game’s popularity and importance. The oldest known court, the 3,670-year-old Paso de la Amada in Chiapas, Mexico, further highlights the historical depth of this Mesoamerican tradition.
The eDNA analysis at Yaxnohcah involved extracting genetic material from the deposit, providing insights into the organic matter present. The identified plants included Ipomoea corymbosa, Capsicum, Hampea trilobata, and Oxandra lanceolata. All possess medicinal properties, while the latter two are known for their ceremonial use. The first two are linked to divination rituals.
The presence of I. corymbosa (known as xtabentum in Mayan and ololiuhqui to the Aztecs), a hallucinogenic plant, marks its first documented appearance within a Maya archaeological context. “The consumption of hallucinogens played a crucial role in rituals performed by Maya kings and high priests, believed to facilitate connection with the gods,” the researchers noted. While there’s no evidence of athletes using hallucinogens during the games, the spiritual significance of the ball court suggests a desire for divine favor.
Ceramic figurines found above a ball court in Oaxaca, MexicoCeramic figurines discovered above a ball court in Oaxaca, Mexico. Photo: Dennis Jarvis
The study concludes that a divination or healing ritual likely took place at the base of the Helena ball court complex during the Late Preclassic Period. This discovery adds another dimension to our understanding of Maya rituals and the importance of the ball game within their society.
While the study of material culture, such as the physical construction of the courts, continues to provide valuable insights, eDNA analysis offers a new avenue for exploring ancient environments and rituals. This technique has been used to reconstruct environments as old as 2 million years, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the past. Further eDNA research at Maya and other ancient sites promises to unveil even more intricate details about ancient life and its associated practices.
