Nine Ancient Patolli Games Found During Maya Train Construction

Nine patollis—Mesoamerican game boards—were recently uncovered during excavation work for the Maya Train project in southeastern Mexico. The findings, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, were recorded along the free highway to Chetumal, near Xpujil in Campeche, as part of Section 7 of the construction. These ancient game boards, carved directly into stucco floors, are now undergoing preservation at a laboratory in Chetumal under the supervision of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

Discovery and Significance of the Patolli Boards

The discovery of these patollis was made as part of the archaeological rescue efforts led by the INAH during the construction of the Maya Train, which stretches 178 miles (287 kilometers) between Quintana Roo and Campeche. The game boards were found on the highway to Chetumal, in the structure called T7-44279, near the town of Xpujil, engraved on a stucco floor that measured 11.3 meters (37 feet) long and 2.8 meters (9 feet) wide.

According to Félix Camacho Zamora, coordinator of the Conservation Area of the Archaeological Rescue Project, the nine patollis were in poor condition at the time of their discovery, suffering from cracks, fractures, and the loss of surface material.

The patolli, a traditional game of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, often held ritualistic significance and was associated with deities, offerings, and calendar events. The name patolli, derived from the Nahuatl word for "beans," refers to the game’s use of beans as dice.

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Patolli game being watched by god Macuilxochitl as depicted on page 048 of the Codex Magliabechiano (Public Domain)

While the game itself was widespread across Mesoamerican cultures, the recent find provides valuable insight into the ceremonial and recreational practices of the region's ancient inhabitants, possibly from the Late Classic period (600-900 AD). The discovery further suggests that patolli was used not only for entertainment but as a form of social mediation and interaction among high-ranking officials.

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Tracing the outline of the playing board. (Felix Camacho Zamora/INAH)

Restoration and Preservation of the Ancient Boards

When the game boards were discovered on June 15, 2023, emergency conservation measures were implemented. The patollis were found to have experienced significant physical-chemical deterioration, including fractures, material disintegration, and the loss of layers due to cracking in the stucco floor. To prevent further decay, restorers injected lime water into the stucco to stabilize the surface and applied perimeter fillers to preserve the structure.

Each patolli was carefully documented through graphic, photographic, and photogrammetric means before being sectioned and packed for transport to the INAH laboratory in Chetumal.

One of the game boards undergoing preservation efforts. (Felix Camacho Zamora/INAH)

The laboratory’s restorer, Fernando Alemán Toscano, noted that the patolli game boards uncovered at this site displayed a range of styles, including two circular designs, four square ones, and others with less distinct, more diffuse lines. This variety of forms may provide clues to the diverse uses or symbolic meanings these boards had in ancient Mesoamerican societies.

Patolli in Mesoamerican Culture

The game of patolli has deep roots in Mesoamerican culture, often associated with religious ceremonies and community gatherings. Played with beans or stones as dice, the game involved moving pieces across a board marked with lines, similar to modern-day board games. Patolli was considered more than just a pastime; it was often connected to cosmic symbolism and the movement of celestial bodies, making it an integral part of ritual life.

The beautiful Patolli game board and beans, available from Ancient Origins. (Ancient Origins)

Based on the architectural context in which these patolli boards were found, archaeologists suggest that the ceremonial complex where the boards were engraved had undergone two construction phases. According to Alfredo Saucedo Zavala, the archaeologist in charge of the excavation, the patollis likely belong to the complex's later construction stage, but final confirmation will depend on the results of ceramic analysis.

The presence of patollis in a civic space like this one indicates that they were not just confined to private or low-status settings. Instead, these game boards were likely used in gatherings of the political elite, possibly serving as a form of diplomacy or negotiation outside of more formal settings. Their location suggests that high-ranking individuals may have played the game during important meetings, perhaps as a way to settle disputes or solidify alliances.

A Glimpse into the Past

The discovery of the nine patolli boards offers a glimpse into the daily lives, rituals, and social practices of the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the region. While much is still to be learned, the ongoing restoration and conservation efforts by the INAH ensure that these precious artifacts will be preserved for further study.

The legacy of Patolli reminds us of our shared history in the pursuit of entertainment and meaningful social interaction, which you can now take part in too, with the Ancient Origins Patolli Game.

Top image: They are currently being cared for and sheltered in a laboratory in Chetumal.          Source: Felix Camacho Zamora/INAH

By Gary Manners