In Mexico, archaeologists have recently discovered a finely carved stone that is believed to have served as a scoreboard for pelota, an ancient ball game played by the Maya civilization several centuries ago.
At the Chichen Itza archaeological site, a circular stone estimated to be at least 1,200 years old has been uncovered.
The stone features intricate carvings, including two players wearing elaborate headgear at its center, and is adorned with hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Currently, experts are closely examining the inscriptions on the stone in an effort to decipher its possible meaning.
The hefty stone, weighing 40 kilograms (88 pounds), was discovered by archaeologist Lizbeth Beatriz Mendicut Pérez in an architectural complex called Casa Colorada (Red House).
Casa Colorada is recognized as the most well-preserved among the structures surrounding the main plaza in the pre-Columbian city of Chichen Itza.
Archaeologists and experts speculate that the carved stone would have adorned an archway at the entrance of the compound, dating back to the late 800s or early 900s.
The stone was discovered lying face down, approximately half a meter underground, suggesting that it fell when the archway collapsed.
Image: Inah.
According to Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the discovery of the 40-kilogram (88-pound) stone is considered a precious and extraordinary find.
Archaeologist Francisco Pérez Ruiz explained that it is rare to find hieroglyphic inscriptions at this Maya site, and even rarer to uncover a complete text, which has not happened in 11 years.
A team of experts in iconography, led by Santiago Sobrino Fernández, has identified the two central figures depicted on the stone as pelota players.
One of the players is shown wearing a feather headdress, while the other, presumed to be his opponent, is depicted wearing a “snake turban,” along with protective gear commonly used by pelota players.
Pelota is a team game that dates back approximately 3,000 years and was played with a heavy rubber ball in a ballcourt across Mesoamerica.
The intricate carvings on the stone provide valuable insights into the ancient Maya civilization’s sporting practices and cultural significance of the pelota game.