The decapitation ritual and the ancient maya ballgame. From archaeological evidence to sacred stories

The Mesoamerican ballgame has been a constant source of research, due to its unique character and its presence as part of prehispanic urbanism. Very important historical texts such as the Popol Vuh, refer to the mythological and symbolic dimension of the game. In one of the scenes of this story, they narrate the moment in which young Hun Hunahpu and Xbalanque play ballgame with the lords of the underworld, which ends with the beheading of Hun Hunahpu and his triumph. In the archaeological and iconographic records, scenes related to the sacrifice, decapitation and other offerings are observed in the context of the ballgame, evidence of its high importance in the Mayan society.