Answer: the upper classes were few in number
Step-by-step explanation:
The Maya were a civilization that occupied areas in central America and had certain similarities to the Ancient Egyptians in Africa such as both of them building pyramids as well as their social customs and norms.
One such custom was the presence of upper classes such as nobles and priests who sat at the top of the social ladder. Their positions were hereditary in both the Maya and the Egyptian nations and they occupied top government positions.
Compared to the rest of the population, the numbers of the upper classes were few and this allowed them to maintain elite status.