Question

For decades, Mesoamerican archaeologists debated the primary function of the expansive, open plazas located at the center of Classic Maya city-states. Early research frequently characterized these spaces as grandiose stages designed almost exclusively for elite religious performances and political propaganda. However, recent excavations at smaller, peripheral sites suggest that plazas served a far more democratic and economic purpose: facilitating daily marketplace exchange. At the site of Xunantunich, soil chemistry analyses revealed high concentrations of phosphorus—a chemical signature typically left behind by decomposed organic matter like food scraps—arranged in neat, grid-like patterns across the main plaza floor. Additionally, archaeologists uncovered micro-artifacts, such as tiny obsidian flakes and pottery sherds, clustered in ways that mirror modern open-air markets. These findings indicate that while elite rituals certainly occurred on the surrounding temples, the plaza floor itself was a bustling hub of commerce for commoners. Thus, the traditional view of the Maya plaza as a purely ceremonial space must be revised to recognize its role in daily economic life.

Which of the following statements from the passage represents a claim made by the author rather than a piece of supporting evidence?