Mexico and Clouds.. My holidays at the ancient ruins of Coba (part 7)
Coba takes its name from the five "cenotes, caves sacred water of the region, a term which in the Mayan language means" living waters ". One of the most ancient of the Peninsula, Coba is located inside the grounds of the State of Quintana Roo, 43 kilometers from Tula. Important place of civilization, the town reached its apogee between 600 and 900 AD and had about 50,000 inhabitants spread over an area of 70 km ². The pyramid of Nohoch Mull, 42 meters, emerges as a small island in the jungle, overlooking the ocean vegetation. It is accessed through a maze of trails in white limestone in the rough, called "Sacbes" ancient sacred roads linking towns together. Entrance of the site, go through the Juego de Pelota, or Tlachtli: the game of pelota was played by the Aztecs and its roots in the Mayan religion. More than just a spectacle, the ritual enacts two teams of athletes who have to bounce a heavy rubber ball, made from the sapodilla (tree latex in the region) on two stone walls. I bet members of the elite land and other property, or slaves brought into human sacrifice. In witness whereof, the skulls carved at the foot of the monument. The rules of the game vary depending on the time: the "players" were also protected by the armor and this seems to indicate that the ball should not be touched with bare hands. The rings of stone giants, cemented along the walls, appeared in the post-classic period, from 600 AD The technical feat, which consisted of passing the ball in the orifice just larger than the latter, gave the final victory to a team. Although this trip was excellently organized by Iguana boat, unfortunately there has accompanied Elena but Paul, a huge Inter ..... well prepared although a bit uninvolving.