1.Making InferencesWhat does the
size and ornamentation of Maya
architecture indicate about their
society?
See Skillbuilder Handbook, Page R10.2.Comparing and ContrastingWhat
are some examples of large-scale
architecture in the United States?
What do they indicate about our
culture?
451Ball Court
Ball courts were a feature of ancient Maya cities. The games held deep religious significance, and
the same artistic detail is found in the ball courts as in other religious structures. The court shown
here is at Chichén Itzá in modern Mexico. It is 545 feet long and 223 feet wide, and is the largest
in the Americas. The ornate hoop (above left) is 20 feet off the ground.
The exact rules and method of scoring the game are unknown. However, inscriptions indicate
that players could not use their hands or feet to move a solid rubber ball, and that members of
the losing team might be sacrificed by beheading.Pyramid
Archaeologists have found pyramids at many Maya cities. Pyramids were
religious structures and, as in Egypt, could be used as tombs. The pyramid
shown here is known as Temple I in the Maya city of Tikal. It is the tomb of
Ha Sawa Chaan K’awil, a Tikal ruler. The pyramid is about 160 feet tall.
Another pyramid in the city is 212 feet tall. In fact, the Tikal pyramids
were the tallest structures in the Americas until 1903, when the
Flatiron Building was built in New York City.▲▲