UNAM rekindles the ancient pre-Hispanic ballgame

Researchers of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) are analyzing the composition and manufacturing technique of the rubber ball used in the ballgame to promote the pre-Hispanic activity and declare it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity .

Hence it was revealed in the framework of the project “Fabrication of the rubber ball for the ulama Mesoamerican hip game. Recovery of techniques from its material characterization.”

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The group of experts is investigating the products and manufacturing methods of the ball in communities where this knowledge still prevails.

“With this, we want to preserve ancient wisdom, to do a technical proposal of its manufacture, and elaborate balls for the players,” added Emilie Carreón from the Aesthetics Research Institute (IIE) .

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The project is also comprised of researchers from the National Laboratory for the Investigation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage of the Chemistry Institute , the Physics Institute , and players of this ancient technique.

The rubber ball is noted by its elasticity and its bounce that is superior to those made with fur and weighs some three kilograms.

Likewise, archeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) are analyzing findings of rubber balls from the Olmec and Teotihuacan cultures to compare and analyze their manufacture, know their characteristics, and relate them to the rubber ball used nowadays.

In February 2020 , ulama was first played at the UNAM . The players are students of the Philosophy and Chemistry faculties who train between the basketball and volleyball courts every Tuesday from 12:00 to 14:00 and on Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00 .

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