Chichen Itza and Its Economy at the End of the Classic Period: Tribute, Centralized Redistribution, and Maritime Stations

Chichén Itzá's economy at the end of the Classic Period (10th–11th centuries) was not solely driven by market exchanges but relied significantly on tribute extraction and centralized redistribution. Archaeological evidence suggests that Chichén Itzá, leveraging its military supremacy, imposed tribute on conquered regions experiencing collapse while forming political-economic alliances to acquire sumptuous goods. These commodities reinforced elite power structures and social relations within the northern Yucatán community. The study challenges the dominant market economy model, proposing instead a system where centralized redistribution and tribute played pivotal roles in sustaining Chichén Itzá's economic dominance.

Cobos, R. (2023). CHICHEN ITZA AND ITS ECONOMY AT THE END OF THE CLASSIC PERIOD: TRIBUTE, CENTRALIZED REDISTRIBUTION, AND MARITIME STATIONS. Ancient Mesoamerica, 34(2), 522–544. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0956536121000572