Final answer:
The section underscores the success of Maya farmers by highlighting their unique agricultural practices, such as cultivating corn, which did not require extensive land clearing and was central to their diet and religion. The success of agriculture was pivotal for the Maya, supporting dense populations, enabling trade, and fostering advancements in multiple disciplines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Importance of Agriculture in Mayan Success
The Maya farmers were critical to the civilization's success. The inclusion of the section "Maya farmers were very successful" explains the unique attributes of Mayan agriculture and emphasizes its role in supporting the social and religious structures of the civilization. Unlike other regions, the Maya did not have large grazing animals or cereals necessitating extensive fields. Instead, they cultivated corn, which was a staple diet and held a divine status in their culture. The importance of corn is highlighted by its central position in their religious pantheon, with the Corn God being a principal deity.
Mayan agriculture relied on sophisticated techniques like terracing and the use of canals for irrigation, which enabled them to support dense populations and the construction of impressive cities. This agricultural proficiency allowed for a complex society with extensive trade networks, advancements in written language, and developments in mathematics and astronomy, all of which contributed to the prosperity and endurance of Mayan civilization.