New discovery of ancient Mayan game at Naachtun

Archaeologists have discovered a unique ceramic Patolli chessboard, revealing the important role the game played in the spiritual life of the Maya.

Naachtun was a powerful ancient Mayan city. While excavating in the ancient city of Naachtun, northern Guatemala, experts from the French National Center for Scientific Research made an extraordinary archaeological discovery. Photo: @French National Center for Scientific Research.

It is a unique artifact created by inlaying hundreds of red ceramic pieces into fresh mortar to form a mosaic-like composition. Photo: @French National Center for Scientific Research.

In-depth archaeological exploration and analysis techniques have shown that this is actually a Mayan Patolli board. Photo: @French National Center for Scientific Research.

Patolli consists of small pieces – red and orange ceramic pieces measuring 1–3 cm – arranged in a rectangular layout crossed by a central axis, resembling a traditional Mesoamerican checkerboard pattern. Photo: @French National Center for Scientific Research.

This chessboard measures approximately 80 x 110 cm, with nearly 478 pieces arranged in approximately 45 squares. Photo: @French National Center for Scientific Research.

Many of the fragments were made from used household items, including ancient ceramics. Photo: @French National Center for Scientific Research.

Red can be both symbolic and practical: in Mayan cosmology, red is associated with the east, a direction associated with rebirth and sunrise. Indeed, patolli boards often appear in the eastern areas of Mayan complexes – an arrangement similar to that at Naachtun. Photo: @French National Centre for Scientific Research.

This research has shed light on how the Maya incorporated games into their architectural spaces and daily lives. Photo: @French National Center for Scientific Research.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/phat-hien-moi-ve-tro-choi-co-cua-nguoi-maya-tai-naachtun-post2149070533.html