What factor contributed to the stratification of society in the Mississippian period?

The stratification of society in the Mississippian period was primarily influenced by wealth accumulation and land ownership. During this time, communities began to transition from small, egalitarian societies to more complex hierarchical structures. The development of agriculture, particularly maize cultivation, led to the surplus production of food, which enabled some individuals and families to accumulate significant wealth. This wealth often translated into greater land ownership, which became a primary indicator of social status.

As certain groups or leaders began to control larger portions of land and resources, they could afford to invest in more elaborate infrastructure, establish trade networks, and exert political power. This resulted in clear social hierarchies, with elites at the top who held power and influence over laborers, artisans, and farmers. The accumulation of wealth and control of land facilitated the establishment of chiefdoms and complex societies, further solidifying the divisions within the Mississippian culture.

In contrast, while factors like technological advancements, population changes, or resource availability might contribute to societal developments, they did not play as direct a role in the hierarchical social structures that defined the Mississippian period as the processes related to wealth and land ownership did. Thus, the primary driver of stratification in this context is correctly identified as