The thunderous crowd has worked itself into a frenzy, fueled by the fierce competition at mid-court. Dueling athletes trade possession of a 12-pound hard rubber ball. They're playing for keeps. The stakes are about as high as you can get. 'Cause baby, the winner gets showered with jewels — and is presented with the loser's head in lieu of a trophy.

No one knows how often this gruesome scene may have played out on the site of Chichén Itzá, but the thousand-year-old remains of some of the world's largest ball courts depict such ancient games in graphic detail.