Tlachtli player at San Cristobal De Las Casas, Mexico

myminifactory

The Mesoamerican ballgame, also known as tlachtli in Nahuatl, was a highly ritualized sport played by the people of Columbia and Mesoamerica. It was an integral part of daily life and large religious celebrations, with different versions practiced across various regions over its millennia-long existence. A modern iteration of the game, ulama, is still widely played in parts of Guatemala and Mexico. One of the key functions of the ballgame was to resolve conflicts between individuals and communities, including disputes over land ownership, taxation, trade regulations, and other issues. The rules of the game itself are unknown, but based on its descendant, ulama, it's likely that they were similar to those of racquetball, where the objective is to keep the ball in play. However, if the ball was dropped or put out of bounds, it was considered a catastrophic error, as the ball symbolized the sun. The winner of the game enjoyed divine protection and support from the gods, while the losers typically suffered brutal consequences, including slaughter. The game's significance lay in its symbolism, which depicted Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun, defeating his sister, the moon, to bring about sunrise. In the region of Monte Albán, the ballgame was played on a specially designed court with inclined walls covered in a thick lime mixture. This created a surface that allowed the ball to bounce back onto the playing field. The courts were often built at a lower level than surrounding cities, reflecting the underworld's association with the game. The losers of the game were frequently decapitated as punishment for their failure to defend their god. Their bodies would be drained of blood and served to the winners as a sacrificial offering. Some historians speculate that the skulls of the decapitated players may have been used as balls in future games, although this claim remains unverified. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. This project aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access at no cost. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, and individuals with interesting items they'd like to contribute can email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how to participate.