Overview:

Xunantunich Ball Court is a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican sporting game court located in Belize. It is one of four such structures located in Belize, and one of two in Xunantunich, a Maya archaeological site. The ball game was a complex ritual combination of physical endurance, sport, and dance, possibly mixed with spiritual symbolism. Xunantunich Ball Court consists of five steps with a playing alley, flanked by two walls with three vertical markers carved with three-headed serpents and glyphs. Spectators likely watched the game from a terrace and benches built into the court's walls. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

1. One of the largest in the Mayan world: The Xunantunich Ball Court in Belize is one of the largest ball courts in the entire Mayan world. 2. 50 Meter long: Measuring an impressive 50 meters in length, the ball court is amongst the longest of its kind still existing. 3. Made of stone: The ball court was constructed using stone blocks and is decorated with several figures such as masks and deities. 4. Unique central marker: At the center of this impressive court is an unusual marker known as ‘the marker of turns’ or ‘el tablero’. 5. Spectator stands: The ball court also features unique spectator stands, which offer visitors the opportunity to observe the game from a higher point of view. 6. Rich in cultural significance: The ball court and its associated structure have a great amount of cultural significance to the local Maya culture – making it a popular destination for visiting tourists. This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Xunantunich ball court is an ancient ‘I- shaped’ structure located in the Belizean Mayan Ceremonial center of Xunantunich. It is historically significant as an example of the athletic court activity commonly found in Mesoamerican Temple-pyramid sites. The ball court is thought to date to the Late Classic Period (AD 600–900). The I-shaped court resembles a long rectangle with two parallel sides. It is believed to have been used as a place for ceremonial events, including a traditional form of Mayan ball game known as ‘Pok ta Pok’, which is thought to have been a type of ritual game associated with ceremonial and religious activities. The sides of the court appear to have had sunken benches at one time; however, little else is known about the rules and regulations that surrounded the games. The Xunantunich ball court has long been an important archaeological site. It was first described in 1940s by British archaeologist J. Eric S. Thompson and has since been the focus of many excavations, cultural restorations, and cultural heritage studies. One such historic preservation project was conducted in 2004 to restore the I-shaped court to its original condition. As a result, visitors of today can get a better glimpse into the past by viewing the full size and restored form of the Xunantunich ball court. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. Xunantunich Ball Court is located in the Cayo District of Belize and is part of the archaeological site of Xunantunich. 2. The Ball Court measures approximately 84 feet (25.6 meters) long and 33 feet (10 meters) wide, and is the only one of its kind in Belize. 3. According to archaeological evidence, the Ball Court dates back to the Terminal Classic period — which lasted from 800 A.D. to 900 A.D. 4. During this time, it was believed that the ballgame had spiritual importance. It was often played by two teams of seven players and a rubber ball which had to be kept in the air with their hips, arms or elbows. 5. The Ball Court was constructed using flat stones which were stacked and layered to form the playing field and seating area. The seating area measured higher than the playing field and contained several seating tiers, allowing for spectators to watch the game below. 6. The Ball Court was believed to be used for religious ceremonies and was thought to provide a direct link between the physical and spiritual world. 7. At the end of the Ball Court is a temple structure known as the ‘Beleem Laj’ or ‘Blackman Wall’. This structure is believed to have been built to honor a ball team that had victorious results in the game. 8. The Ball Court is the largest structure found at the Xunantunich archaeological site. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.