Martin Drennen Social Science
The Mesoamerican Ballgame: understanding the experiences of non-elite Maya society through a cross-site analysis
Scholars Journal
Throughout Mesoamerican history, the Ballgame played a central role in shaping the political, social and ritual aspects of Mesoamerican cultures. Among the Maya, hundreds of ballcourts are documented throughout the Maya Lowlands, notably Belize, especially during the Classic Period (250-1000 CE). Despite the game’s influence on Maya sites in Belize, many regional aspects of the game have minimally been explored. My research asks how the ballgame, particularly ballcourts, functioned for everyday people in Classic Period Belize. By synthesizing existing literature, analyzing ballcourt data (e.g., architecture), and conducting field observations at sites such as Caracol, this research will provide greater granularity and specificity regarding the majority of everyday Maya citizens’ relationship to the Ballgame. Through identifying patterns (e.g., dimensions of ballcourts) and uncovering unanswered questions in the archaeological record, my project aims to clarify how non-elite Maya participated in and experienced the Ballgame, showing how such spaces structured social life and expanding understanding of lived experiences within Classic Period Belize.
Major: Anthropology
Mentor: Rosemary Joyce