Political and Social Dimension of Ballgame in North-East Petén, Guatemala: A Comparative Analysis of Ballcourts Distribution through a Regional Perspective

Abstract Ballgame is one of the primary patterns used to describe Mesoamerica as a cultural area. From the first Spanish chroniclers until recent academic research, the study of ballgame and ballcourts has always been an important topic. Many studies focused on the urban and regional distribution of ballcourts, using ballgame as a pattern to understand the political organization of a specific territory. Through a comparative analysis of the main sites of North-East Petén, in Guatemala, starting from Uaxactún territory, and other region in the Maya area, this paper will try to show the differences in social and political dimension of ballgame across the centuries, especially between Late Preclassic and Early Classic.