Mesoamerican trade routes

Mesoamerican trade routes connected ancient civilizations like the Maya, Aztec, and others across present-day Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Southwest U.S. These routes consisted of networked landways, waterway paths, and ceremonial roads used to exchange goods such as obsidian, jade, cacao, textiles, and ceramics. These trade routes facilitated cultural exchange, the spread of ideas, and the growth of cities by enabling economic and political interactions. They often followed natural features like rivers and mountain passes and included specialized marketplaces, enabling civilizations to thrive through regional cooperation and resource sharing.