A groundbreaking archaeological exhibition that brings together, for the first time in a single venue, some of the most iconic artifacts associated with the ritual ballgame ceremony in ancient Mexico.

The exhibition offers a journey through the Mesoamerican worldview, highlighting the profound religious, political, and astronomical significance of tlachtli, or the ballgame—an ancient practice closely linked to the underworld, the movement of the cosmos, and rituals of power.

Among the most significant pieces is the extraordinary ballgame scoreboard from Atotonilco de Tula, a one-of-a-kind artifact weighing over four tons, whose display has been made possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of the INAH Hidalgo Center and the municipalities of Atotonilco de Tula and Tula de Allende. This inter-institutional collaboration strengthens the promotion and conservation of Hidalgo’s cultural heritage as part of Mexico’s cultural offerings to domestic and international visitors.

The exhibition also features a rubber ball weighing approximately four kilograms, as well as a stone sculpture depicting a ball player—elements that help visitors understand the symbolic, ritual, and social significance of this ancient practice.

With this exhibition, the INAH reaffirms its commitment to bringing Mexico’s archaeological heritage to new audiences and establishing the Tula Archaeological Zone as one of the country’s key cultural destinations.

Information: direccion_hidalgo@inah.gob.mx and elena_suarez@inah.gob.mx