Classic lowland Maya political organization: A review of recent archaeological research

This paper reviews recent archaeological research concerning Classic Maya l owland political systems (ca. A.D. 250-1000). It focuses specifically on (1 ) subsistence practices revealed through the analysis of prehistoric climat e, available resources, agricultural technologies, and diet; (2) population distribution, density, and size revealed through the analysis of settlemen t practices and architectural function; (3) social differentiation and inte raction revealed through the analysis of burial practices, diet and health, architecture, and production, consumption, and exchange patterns; and (4) ancient Maya political economy (how it was funded) revealed through the ana lysis of community organization, ritual activities, the Classic Maya collap se, and warfare. It finally ends with a brief discussion of the future of M aya archaeology. A key factor that recurs throughout this review is the not iceable amount of variability that existed - varied resources, subsistence strategies, settlement practices, and social and political systems. An unde rstanding of this variability is the key to appreciate fully the Classic Ma ya.