Tlachtli, synonymous with the Mesoamerican ballgame, was a ritualistic sport in Aztec and Maya cultures. Played with a rubber ball on stone courts, it held cultural and religious significance, embodying cosmic themes and fertility rituals, with connections to human sacrifice. The correct choice is option D.
Tlachtli, also known as the Mesoamerican ballgame, holds significant cultural and religious associations in ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztec and Maya. This ritualistic sport involved a rubber ball and stone courts, requiring players to pass the ball through stone rings without using their hands.
Tlachtli went beyond mere recreation; it held symbolic and religious importance, often associated with cosmic themes, fertility rituals, and even human sacrifice. The game's spiritual dimension and its integral role in Mesoamerican societies make tlachtli a key element in understanding the cultural and ceremonial practices of these ancient civilizations.
So option D is the correct answer.