Jim’s Reviews > The Ancient Maya > Status Update

The heart of the new system used at Mayapan and other Postclassic capitals was a collective sharing of power among a number of elite ruling lords. One of these lords was often identified as paramount among a collective body or ruling council. But decision making and responsibility for successful action was shared among a ruling oligarchy, rather than concentrated in a single individual as it had been in the past.

The Late Classic Palenque texts provide a great deal of information about the supernatural foundations for Maya royal authority.... They arrayed themselves in the same trappings of authority, performed the same rituals to ensure the continuance of the world order, attacked their neighbors, and took and sacrificed captives. These activities ... set them apart from the rest of society.

Differences in elevation, amount of rainfall, availability of water, temperature, distribution of plant and animal life, soil conditions, and location of natural resources combine in the Maya area to produce one of the most diverse environments for its size found anywhere in the world.