Final answer:
Maya agriculture was vital in establishing stable food supplies, supporting population growth, and advancing civilization. Their techniques included irrigation, terracing, and maize cultivation, which led to social complexities and cultural developments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maya agricultural techniques played a crucial role in the development and growth of their civilization by providing a stable food supply, supporting population growth, and facilitating the construction of impressive cities and structures. They employed innovative farming methods tailored to their environment, such as raised fields with irrigation canals, terracing in mountainous regions, and the cultivation of maize as a staple crop. Maize's high caloric value allowed for work specialization and social hierarchies to emerge, fueling the rise of Maya civilization.
The agricultural knowledge and techniques of the Maya enabled them to manage their resources effectively and support large city-states like Copan, Tikal, and Chichén Itzá. Their advanced methods, including the breeding of fish to be used as fertilizer, helped sustain large populations even in less fertile areas. The adaptation of Olmec practices into their agricultural system, such as the advanced mathematical recording of crop yields, contributed to an efficient society able to engage in long-distance trade and cultural development.
Ultimately, the Maya agricultural innovations allowed them to transcend primitive farming, resulting in a society capable of remarkable architectural, mathematical, and cultural achievements during their height between 250 CE and 900 CE.