Archaeologists in Mexico have recently discovered a ceramic scoring tablet used in an ancient sport at the famous archaeological site of Chichen Itza, located in the southeastern part of the country.
The tablet is circular with a diameter of 32cm and weighs approximately 40kg. (Source: trespm).
According to a report from the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico (INAH) on April 11, the recently found scoring tablet is circular, measuring 32cm in diameter and weighing about 40kg. The edges of the tablet are engraved with hieroglyphic characters, while the center features an engraving depicting two athletes competing.
Archaeologist Francisco Perez stated that the scoring tablet is dated to approximately 800 to 900 AD. This is a very rare version where hieroglyphics are directly engraved on the surface.
The game depicted on the scoring tablet is a competitive sport similar to soccer that dates back to pre-Columbian times and is regarded as a spiritual cultural activity of the peoples residing from the southern regions of North America extending down into northern South America.
Experts from INAH are currently using high-resolution technology to photograph the scoring tablet to study the content of the hieroglyphic characters engraved on it.
Since the start of tourism development in 1988, the Chichen Itza site has attracted approximately 2 million visitors each year, generating significant revenue for the state of Yucatan. Located just 190km from Cancun, the iconic beach destination, Chichen Itza—one of the World Heritage Sites recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)—is situated on one of Mexico’s most important tourist routes.
