How were Maya communities organized?

Maya communities were organized into city-states, each governed by a king or a noble class, often referred to as the "ajaw" or "king." These city-states, such as Tikal and Calakmul, were politically independent and engaged in both trade and warfare with each other. Social structure was hierarchical, with a clear distinction between the elite, including priests and nobles, and the common people, who were primarily farmers and laborers. Additionally, communal activities, religious rituals, and marketplace interactions played vital roles in the cohesion and functioning of Maya society.