The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-07-15
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outside of the building. This temple contains
also on the walls of an interior room, an 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 javelins, the swinging OF war
clubs and the like. This bit of mural decora-
ton in The House Of The Tigers at Chichen
Itza probably marks the high-water mark of
aboriginal painting In the Western Henri
sphere; at least It 10 superior to everything
else that has survived
The Identification of these two great walls
and the temples associated with them, as
ball court, rests on firm historic foundation.
When the Spanish nrst 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 as to its having played an important
part in the life Of the people. One chronicler
has It that the object of the game was to
strike the ball SO that 1t would pass through
the opening In the stone ring above mentioned
as an important feature Of the Chichen liza
court. He adds that the featAwas 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
creased the dificulty in making Maya bas-
ket:" so much so. In fact. we are told, that
the lucky player making this winning stroke
had forfeit to him as a reward for his skill all
the clothing and ornaments Of the spectators.
At such times the chronicler concludes the
spectators were won't to scatter In all direc-
tons without loss of time. hoping thus to es.
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
On 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 Suoh an explanation of its fundamental
purpose is incompatible with any conception
which the American aborigine ever seems 10
have entertained. To the TIA people the chief
function Of their Ball Court was doubtless
religious one. Games played there, II not,
actually held in connection with religious fes-
rivals. were At least sufficiently religious in
their meaning an to completely overshadow
the element Of sport az we understand the
term. ThatA game was played In which COM
petition and skill entered in cannot be doubt
cd in the face of contemporaneous evidence
and to this extent perhaps the Mexican Ball
Courts were athletic dsids; but 1t must not be
forgotten for q moment that its true signin-
canoe was religious. and that the games which
were played there probably were held only In
connection with religious festivals. II IL not
improbable. however, that the Astecs were
ibresking away fromtthe religious feature Of
sport At the dine Of the Spanish Conquest, but
that The Holy Men OF the Itsas." a. the PEG
spley Of lChichen Itsa are sometimes called IN
tho Saf1y' rhsAuscripes had taken any such =
radical step ID lftt1s hort Of inconcoivahle. %
religion. in charaot% vas the kApls Maya