Maya religion was polytheistic. The Maya worshipped many gods who worked together and sometimes in opposition of each other. Their foremost god, Itzam Na “incorporated in himself the aspects of many other gods: not only creation but fire, rain, crops, and earth” (Keen, 2004, p.

The Maya also had an important services sector, through which mathematicians, farming consultants, artisans, architects, astronomers, scribes and artists would work. Some of the richer merchants also sold weapons, gold and other valuables.

The Maya believed that the gods could be appeased through offerings of material goods or the sacrifice of a human life. Human sacrifice was seen as a powerful way to gain the favor of the gods, and the Maya would often sacrifice people in elaborate rituals in order to gain favor or ask for guidance.

The Mayans traded many food staples like fish, corn, honey, vegetables, turkey, squash, and beans, as well as other household items like paper, jewelry, furniture, clothing, weapons, and toys. Additionally, the Mayans traded materials like jade, gold, copper, marble, limestone, and wood.

The Maya economy had no universal form of trade exchange other than resources and services that could be provided among groups such as cacao beans and copper bells.