Why were Mayan cities constructed with large central plazas? How did the reliefs on the buildings change?

Mayan cities were constructed with large central plazas due to the importance of religious ceremonies and civic activities that took place within them. The plazas provided great gathering spaces for Mayan people to observe rituals, offer sacrifices, and for trade relationships to take place. The reliefs on the buildings surrounding the plazas often depicted important figures, including gods and rulers. These reliefs usually depicted images associated with the gods and rulers and those associated with the ideas of power, war, and divine authority. The reliefs were also used to communicate stories and record important moments in Mayan history. Over time, as civilisations changed, the reliefs changed to reflect the beliefs and identities of the people of that time.