The Ball Game of Death

Chichen Itza contains the largest ball court in Mesoamerica — 168 meters long. The game, called pok-ta-pok, required players to keep a heavy rubber ball in play using only hips, forearms, and knees. Stone rings mounted high on the walls, roughly 8 meters up, served as goals.

Carved panels show decapitated players, confirming that the game had lethal consequences. Scholars debate whether the winners or losers were sacrificed — the honor of dying for the gods may have been reserved for the victorious team.