---
title: The Grand Ball Court at Chichen Itza
author: Joshua J. Mark
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/750/the-grand-ball-court-at-chichen-itza/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Grand Ball Court at Chichen Itza

_Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_

## Image File

[![The Grand Ball Court at Chichen Itza](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/750.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/750.jpg)

## Image Caption

This photo shows a stone scoring hoop high on the [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) of the Great Ball Court at [Chichen Itza](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chichen_Itza/). The opposing team's hoop is directly across from the wall in this picture. Players of the game Pok-a-Tok (considered a precursor to the modern game of Ulama)had to get a rubber ball through this hoop without using their hands or feet (only the hip, knees, elbows, shoulders and wrists). If one considers the circumference of the hoop, and its height as compared to the tourists below, one may have some understanding of what an amazing feat it was to score a winning goal in Pok-a-Tok.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Mark, J. J. (2012, July 08). The Grand Ball Court at Chichen Itza. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/750/the-grand-ball-court-at-chichen-itza/>
### Chicago
Mark, Joshua J.. "The Grand Ball Court at Chichen Itza." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 08, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/750/the-grand-ball-court-at-chichen-itza/>.
### MLA
Mark, Joshua J.. "The Grand Ball Court at Chichen Itza." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 Jul 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/750/the-grand-ball-court-at-chichen-itza/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 08 July 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0deed.en). This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.