Mexico revives 3,000-year-old ancient ball game Published duration 16 April 2017

media caption Players knock a heavy solid rubber ball up and down a narrow pitch.

The finals of a revived 3,000-year-old ball game have been played in the Mexican city of Teotihuacan

Organisers have been trying to bring back the game, known as Ullamaliztli in Mexico, because of its ancient cultural and religious significance.

The game was played in Central America and parts of North America before being banned by the Spanish conquistadors.

The tournament, only the second since 2006, is being played by ten teams from across Mexico.

According to ancient texts the ball game was seen as a struggle between light and darkness and provided the energy to keep humanity going.

image copyright Getty Images image caption One of the best preserved ball courts can be found - with stone rings to throw the ball through - in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula

Today the game is played by teams of seven players, who knock a heavy solid rubber ball up and down a narrow pitch, using their hips rather than their feet.

Giant ball courts can still be seen in ruins across the region.

In ancient times losers of the game were often sacrificed to the Gods, but this year organisers opted for a knockout tournament instead.