Details of Ballcourt III of Copandepicting a Macaw

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Ancient Mesoamericans have been enjoying rubber ballgames in these areas for thousands of years, dating back to the second millennium B.C. and probably inspiring modern games like soccer. Eyewitness accounts from the Spanish Conquest and native writings in the 16th century are our only clues about how the game was played long ago. From what we can tell, each site had its own set of rules and preferences. In general, players faced off in an I-shaped alley between two sloping benches, using a solid rubber ball weighing around 8 pounds. The stakes were high, with losers often being sacrificed in major games. According to Maya creation myths, twins defeated the Lords of Xibalba ("the place of fright") by descending into the underworld and emerging victorious. They also overcame other deadly foes like disease, darkness, and famine. In one myth, the sun's impostor Vucub-Caquix (Seven Macaw) was defeated by the twins at the dawn of time. The screeching macaws on the Copan ballcourt facade may be a depiction of this legendary creature.