The Mayan civilization – especially at Chichen Itza – practiced human sacrifice as a gift of blood to the deities. There are several carvings depicting this religious practice. For example, a long frieze at the Great Ballcourt depicts beheading and disembowelment presumably of athletics. According to legend, the captain of the winning team was often killed as a reward, resulting in his immediate ascension into heaven. High ranking political and war prisoners were also murdered by various means. The most gruesome evidence is the Wall of Skulls. El Tzompantli was the platform where impaled heads were horizontally displayed.
