Mexican Archaeologists Discover a Second Ballgame Player at Court in Cerro del ...

MEXICO CITY.- Researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH Mexico) discovered a second sculpture of a ballgame player, which, unlike the one found in late 2010, has its head. The finding took place at Cerro del Teul Archaeological Site, Zacatecas, and specialists say both pieces could evoke a passage of Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Maya people, related to divine twins.

The stone sculpture, discovered a few weeks ago, represents the body of a ballgame player (a 175 centimeters high cylinder with 56 centimeters diameter figure) and is almost complete. It was located in the southwestern corner of the Ballgame Court, during the field season headed by archaeologists Peter Jimenez and Laura Solar, who considered that it must have fallen after a wall collapsed due to the passing of time.

Cerro del Teul is one of the few uninterruptedly occupied sites in America, being dwelled from 200 BC to 1531 of the Common Era. Experts coincide this was the ceremonial center of Caxcan people, one of the bravest groups Spaniards fought during the conquest. The sculpture has been dated between 900 and 1100 of the Common Era.

Archaeologist Luis Martinez Mendez, in charge of excavations at Cerro del Teul Ballcourt, explained that both sculptures are unique in Mesoamerica. Only at Maya archaeological sites such as Tonina, in Chiapas, these types of sculptures have been found, only they represent captives, not players as in Zacatecas.

Evidence shows that only one was built with a head. Regarding the possible symbolism of the sculptures, they may refer to a widely divulgated myth in Mesoamerica that got to our days thanks to the Popol Vuh Maya book.

According to the book, Lords of Xibalba required the presence of divine twins Hunahpu and Ixbalanque. Through the road of underground, the brothers had to sort several tests and at the House of the Bat, Hunahpu was beheaded. Braveness and skills allowed Ixbalanque bringing his brother back to life, deceiving Lords of Xibalba at the ballgame court at the same time.

Both figures show their right arm over the chest and the left over the abdomen. Shoulders are enhanced probably recreating the players’ attire, protective shoulder pads, yokes at the hips and long skirts.

Luis Martinez explained that the second sculpture was found during work at the southern section of Cerro del Teul Ballgame Court.

Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia de Chiapas - Virtual ...

The Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Chiapas (Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia de Chiapas) is the largest museum in Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas and one of the most important of its kind in Mexico. It primarily consists of two main halls with one dedicated to the state’s Mesoamerican archeology and the other to the history of the state starting from the Spanish conquest. The archeological display focus on the native Zoque and Mayan cities, and the historical displays extend in time until the early 20th century. In addition to its permanent collection, it also has a temporary exhibit hall and auditorium to host events such as book signings, summer classes, conferences and more.

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