Maya Ballgame Explained by an Archaeologist

Step into the ancient world of the Maya with archaeologist Dr. Ed Barnhart as he unpacks the origins, meaning, and mechanics of the Maya Ballgame—one of the oldest team sports in human history.

In this video, you'll learn:

How the Maya built and designed their iconic stone ball courts

The fascinating rules of the game (spoiler: no hands or feet!)

How the ballgame ties into the Popol Vuh, the Maya creation story

Why this wasn’t just a sport—it was a ritual battle between life and death

How the game evolved across Mesoamerica, from the Zapotecs to Central Mexico

And why the Maya were the first civilization in the world to invent the rubber ball

With over 30 years of experience exploring Mesoamerican ruins and more than 100 ball courts visited, Dr. Barnhart brings a rare depth of insight to one of the most symbolic games in ancient history.

🎥 Watch till the end to learn how the Maya game predates sports like soccer, polo, and even China's cuju by over a thousand years.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments—Ed answers selected questions in a monthly deep-dive video.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: What Was the Maya Ballgame?
00:37 – How and Where It Was Played
02:00 – Rules of the Game and the Rubber Ball
02:40 – Connection to the Popol Vuh Creation Story
03:18 – Ritual Reenactment and Symbolism in Maya Cities
03:57 – Ballcourts as the Underworld in Maya Religion
04:36 – Ballcourts Across Mesoamerica
05:14 – Myths from Central Mexico and Their Symbolism
06:04 – How Old Is the Maya Ballgame?
06:37 – Comparing to Other Ancient Ball Sports Worldwide
07:20 – The Invention of the Rubber Ball