Team Sports

Mesoamerican Ballgame The Olmecs, Maya and Aztecs played this game as early as 1500 B.C.

The losers were sometimes sacrificed

The Popol Vuh The Mayan Creation Story The ballgame was based on the Mayan creation story called the Popol Vuh. This legend set the stage for the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

The Sport of Life and Death Try to answer the following question: How is the ballgame linked to religion? Find something on the website www.ballgame.org that interests you and tell a classmate the details of it. Example: I found it interesting that women may have played the game. They do not know for sure if they did play. Many figurines of women players have been found, but they may have just been for ceremonial purposes.