Ball game court (El juego de pelota)

VVR7+GG Ekbalam, Yucatan, Mexico

In Ek Balam, the ball court is located between the North and South plazas and contains decorated friezes, offerings, and other ceremonial and decorative elements.

The Maya ballgame traces its origins to the myth of the twins, recounted in the "Popol Vuh," the famous collection of mythical, legendary, and historical stories of the K'iche' people of Guatemala. For the Maya, the ballcourt was a place of transition between life and death and a kind of battle between the living and the rulers of the underworld or the place of the dead. In Ek' Balam, the ballcourt, located between the North and South plazas, contains decorated friezes, offerings, and other ceremonial and decorative elements. In part of the frieze of one of the rooms in the ballgame zone, decorative elements in the form of stucco were found, using blue and red paints. In the decorative scene of the frieze, one can see a human figure on a throne, richly dressed and holding a bird. Similarly, two painted lids with inscriptions were found on the ballcourt, indicating that they belonged to Tzibam Tum, probably the ajaw of Ek' Balam. Ajaw designated any of the leading noble classes; it was not limited to one person, and its meaning was variously translated as "leader," "ruler," "lord," or "chief," depending on the specific individual.

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More stories from Maya Cities of Mexico: Ek Balam

Ek Balam - a pearl hidden in the jungle

VVR7+WJ Ekbalam, Yucatan, Mexico

Ek Balam (Mexico) – at first glance, a small archaeological park with ancient Maya ruins scattered everywhere. But in reality, it is a precious gem hidden in the jungle. Here stands one of the tallest Maya pyramids on the Yucatán Peninsula. The city is full of amazing and mysterious structures that will leave no one indifferent, and being atop the ancient pyramids will leave unforgettable impressions unlike anything else.

The main pyramid of Ek Balam or Acropolis

VVR7+WJ Ekbalam, Yucatan, Mexico

The most impressive structure is the Acropolis, whose well-restored foundation measures 160 meters in length and 59 meters in width. It is the tallest structure in the Ek-Balam archaeological area, with a height of 32 meters. It is completely unlike other Maya pyramids in the Yucatán due to the rooms with leaf roofs located on its sides. Some of these rooms can be visited, and original stucco sculptures have been preserved under these roofs.

Entrance Arch (Arco de Entrada)

VVR7+7C Ekbalam, Yucatan, Mexico

The main entrance to the complex is apparently the southern one, where the roadway ends. It is precisely at this spot, passing through the corner entrance formed by two fortress walls, that the Ek Balam arch is located.

The Oval Palace (El Palacio Oval)

VVR7+7H Ekbalam, Yucatan, Mexico

The structure called the Oval Palace occupies the southern side of the square; its dimensions are 26 meters by 23.50 meters, with a height of 11.50 meters.

Twin Pyramids (Las Gemelas)

VVR7+9G Ekbalam, Yucatan, Mexico

Structure 17, called the Twin Pyramids, is located on the west side of the South Plaza and represents the best-preserved architectural ensemble. It is a large foundation on which two or more platforms were built, and on them, two vaulted buildings with four rooms each were constructed. The structure measures 40 meters in length, 17 meters in width, and about 6 meters in height. Beneath the building we can admire today are two structures that were completely hidden: ancient Maya architects used buildings from earlier eras as the foundation for constructing new buildings.