Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered a stone carved with intricate symbols, which is believed to have been used as a scoreboard for pelota, a Mayan ball game. The circular stone, weighing 40 kilograms, was found in the Chichen Itza archaeological site and is believed to be at least 1,200 years old.
In its center are two players with elaborate hats, surrounded by hieroglyphic writing. Experts are analyzing the writing to decipher the message that could contain clues about Mayan life.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico (INAH) declared that the stone is a precious and unusual discovery.
“It is rare to find hieroglyphic writing at this Mayan site and even rarer to find a complete text. This has not happened in the last 11 years,” explained archaeologist Francisco Pérez Ruiz.
A team of experts, led by Santiago Sobrino Fernández, identified the two central figures as pelota players. One wears a headdress of feathers, and the other, presumably his opponent, has what is called a “snake turban”.
Pelota is a team game where a heavy ball is used. It is believed to be 3,000 years old and was played throughout Mesoamerica.
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