History The Mayan Civilization Questions Medium
The major Mayan trade partners and economic relationships were primarily with neighboring Mesoamerican civilizations. The Mayans engaged in extensive trade networks with cities such as Teotihuacan, located in present-day Mexico, which was a major center for trade and cultural exchange. They also had economic relationships with other Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Zapotecs, Mixtecs, and Toltecs.
The Mayans traded a variety of goods including agricultural products, such as maize, beans, and cacao, which were highly valued commodities. They also traded obsidian, jade, feathers, textiles, and pottery. These goods were exchanged through long-distance trade routes, often facilitated by specialized merchants known as pochtecas.
The Mayans also had economic relationships with coastal cities, such as Kaminaljuyu and El Mirador, which allowed them access to marine resources and trade routes along the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They traded marine products like salt, shells, and fish.
Furthermore, the Mayans had a complex system of tribute and taxation, where conquered cities and territories were required to pay tribute in the form of goods or labor. This system allowed the Mayans to expand their economic influence and control over a vast territory.
Overall, the Mayans had a diverse range of trade partners and economic relationships, both within their own region and beyond. These economic interactions played a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the Mayan civilization.