* This civilization arose in the area south of the Yucatan peninsula.
* Land had been cultivated.
* The urban development of this civilization’s cities had clear class divisions.
* This civilization had hieroglyphs, and they used them to create a calendar.
* Records were kept, but many were destroyed by the Spanish after their arrival.
* Some records were kept on stone, which are the only surviving ones today.
* They also discovered complex patterns in the stars.
* Technologically advanced, kings were very powerful and rich
* Society’s wealth grew, leading to a middle class made up of traders and artisans
* The majority of the population was agricultural, working on chinampas. There were clear gender divisions in society. Noblewomen did have some limited roles in politics and religion. The society of this civilization was polytheistic, and gods were ranked in order of importance.
* Cities were built around ceremonial pyramids, a shrine to the gods
* Temples and palaces were near the pyramids. Sacred ball courts were also near the pyramids.
* As the population grew, more people moved to the North
* Overcrowding forced farmers to shift from slash-and-burn agriculture to settled agriculture