I've been reading the updated edition of "Chronicle of the Mayan Kings and Queens" and it struck me that while warfare-related events are one of the key things recorded on stelae and other monuments the how isn't recorded there. I have a bunch of questions on the details of Mayan warfare but I'd love to hear any answers that would apply to the Triple Alliance, Teotihuacan, or whoever else:

• What do we know about how wars started? (e.g. were messengers sent back and forth with threats? were there initial surprise raids? were there formal declarations of hostilities before battle?)

• What do we know about the mechanics of battles themselves? (e.g. was there a designated 'field of combat' or was it smaller skirmishing? Were all participants members of the elite families or were there others? Did battle start with a volley of atlatls and then descend into a confused melee or was it more champion vs champion?)

• What do we know about preparation? (e.g. Holy Lords and other nobles seem to have been the primary combatants, did they have specific training regimes that we know about? Who made the spears, knives, and war clubs, were they regular artisans who were making war materiel or dedicated armorers? How long did campaigns last, most communities were only a few days travel away, and it looks like some rulers achieved victories over multiple foes within just a few months?)