civilization were marked by social stratification, monumental architecture, and the recording of calendrical and dynastic hieroglyphic texts in the distinctive "Maya style," on upright sculptured monuments within ceremonial center. These developments wee focused in both southern Maya area (coastal plain and highlands) and the lowland to the north. Not incidentally on both areas were important for the acquisition of the exchange of good. The Pacific coastal plain, the primary east-west avenue between Mexico and Central America, was a major growing area for cacao and other important crops. The highland we the source of many valued mineral resources, especially obsidian and jade, and provided the connecting links between the northern and southern reaches of the Maya area. The lowland furnished a variety of tropical forest [products and furnished both the riverine and overland routes that connect the Caribbean with the Gulf of Mexico.