Part 10/12:
A clear distinction between the political structures of Classic and postclassic Maya emerges upon further examination. The decline of centralized elite authority fostered a more egalitarian socio-political environment, arguably benefitting commoners who may have felt relieved from burdensome royal demands. This later landscape saw the rise of trading networks that transitioned from riverine commerce to coastal trade routes, fundamentally reshaping economic interactions in the region.
New sites, such as Chichen Itza and Mayapan, sprang to prominence, leveraging new coastal trade relations. Similarly, surprising architectural features such as circular platforms emerged, marking significant cultural shifts that evoked influences from central Mexico.