Explain the purpose of the Mayan ball game.

The Mayan ball game, known as "pok-a-tok," held significant religious and cultural importance that intertwined deeply with social hierarchies. It wasn't merely about competition or recreation; instead, the game was often linked to ceremonial events, rituals, and the beliefs surrounding creation myths and the afterlife.

The game also symbolized the duality of life and death, where players' performance was thought to influence agricultural cycles and, by extension, societal prosperity. Additionally, the game's outcome could reflect on the status and power dynamics of various communities or social classes. Rulers often used the game for political purposes, establishing dominance over rivals or using it as a method of settling conflicts, an element that also supports the intertwining of social structures with the game's significance.

While the elite may have participated prominently, the cultural relevance was broader, involving various societal layers, thus reinforcing social hierarchies. The game's connection to religious beliefs and social order placed it as a cornerstone within Mesoamerican culture, marking it as much more than just a pastime.