A fine Maya Stone Vulture Hacha, ca. 500 - 800 CE Royal “Art and Death in the

“Art and Death in the Middle Ages

Clark in 1911

especially hematite in the case of the set square

Desert Designs on King

A fine Maya Stone Vulture Hacha, ca. 500 - 800 CE Royal “Art and Death in theMesoamerican ballplayers wore protective gear called hachas, palmas, and yokes to protect their hips and abdomens from the impact of the games solid rubber ball. In painting and sculpture, the yoke is shown worn around the players hips, the palma or hacha attached at the front. Those used during active play were most likely made of wood or some other light material; stone versions such as this one were worn, if at all, during ballgame related rituals,