The new era., 1911-07-13

outside of the building. This temple contains
also on the walls of an interior room. elab
crate mural painting representing an attack
by some enemy upon city, perhaps Chichen
liza ITSELF and its defense by the inhabitants.
Some of the poses taken by the combatants in
the conflict are extremely realistic; such as in
the throwing of javelns, the swinging of war
clubs, and the like This bit of mural decora-
tion in The House of The Tigers at Chichen
Itza probably marks the high-water mark OF
aboriginal painting In the Western Hemi-
sphere at least 1t is superior to everything
else that has survived.
The Identification Of these two great walls
and the temples associated with them, as a
ball court, rests firm historic foundation.
When the Spanish first came to Mexico they
found the natives playing game of ball. which
was of sufficient importance to have spe-
cial court or ground set apart for its exclu-
sive use Several of the early Spanish writer's
have described the game In some detail, and
all agree to its having played an important
part in the life of the people. One chronicler
has it that the object of the game to
strike the ball SO that 1t would pass through
the opening in the stone ring above mentioned
an important feature of the Chichen Itza
court. He adds that the feat one Of con-
siderable dexterity. since the ball could not
be hit with the hands, but that the hips or
other parts of the body had to be used instead.
This rule of the game very materially in
ket:" much so, in fact told. that
the lucky player making this winning stroke
had forfeit to him as reward for his skill all
the clothing and ornaments of the spectators.
At such times, the chronicler concludes the
spectators were wont t. scatter in all direc-
tions without loss Of time. hoping thus to
cape paying the penalty, but that the friends
Of the lucky player Immediately gave chase
and endeavored to exact the full forfeit.
Although the name Ball Court has been CIV
en- to this group of temples at Chichen liza.
1t should not be supposed on that account,
that this great court was built primarily for
sport. Such an explanation of its fundamental
purpose is incompatible with any conception
which the American aborigine ever seems to
have entertained. To the liza people the chief
function of their Ball Court doubtless a
religious one Games played there If not
actually held in connection wit. religious fes-
tivals were at least sufficiently religious In
their meaning as to completely overshadow
the element of sport understand the
term. That game was played in which COM
petition and skill entered in cannot be doubt
ed In the face of contemporaneous evidence.
and to this extent perhaps the Mexican Ball
Courts were athletic fields but 1t must not be
forgotten for moment that its true signif-
canoe was religious and that the games which
were played there probably held only in
connection with religious festivals. 1t is not
improbable however. that the Aztecs were
breaking away from the religious feature of
sport at the time of the Spanish Conquest but
that THE Holy Men Of the Itzas" as the peo-
Pile Of Chichen Itza are sometimes called In
the early manuscripts. had taken any such
radical step is little short Of inconceivable so
religious in character was the whole Maya
civilization
To the east of the Castillo lie great group
of courts, pyramids and :olonnades. THE City
Of Thousand Columns" already mentioned.