Which feature characterizes social structures in ancient societies like the Maya?

In ancient societies such as the Maya, social structures were characterized by an emphasis on hereditary status. This meant that social hierarchy was largely determined by lineage and family background, where noble and ruling classes were typically made up of individuals from specific families that maintained power over generations. This hereditary system created a rigid class structure where individuals could not easily move between social strata, and their roles and status were largely predetermined by their birth.

The elite class included priests and nobility who held significant political and religious authority, while the majority of the population, including farmers and laborers, occupied lower social ranks. This rigid class distinction influenced many aspects of life in ancient Maya society, including access to resources, political power, and religious privileges, highlighting the importance of one's family and lineage in determining an individual's status within the community.