About History of Maya Civilization

The Maya’s are probably the best-known of the classical civilizations of MesoAmerica. Originating in the Yucatan around 2600 B.C., they rose to prominence around A.D. 250 in present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize and western Honduras.

Timeline

B.C.

11,000 The first hunter-gatherers settle in the Maya highlands and lowlands. 

3113 The creation of the world takes place, according to the Maya Long Count calendar.

 2600 Maya civilization begins.

 2000 The rise of the Olmec civilization, from which many aspects of Maya culture are derived. Village farming becomes established throughout Maya regions.

 700 Writing is developed in Mesoamerica. 

400 The earliest known solar calendars carved in stone are in use among the Maya, although the solar calendar may have been known and used by the Maya before this date. 

300 The Maya adopt the idea of a hierarchical society ruled by nobles and kings. 

100 The city of Teotihuacan is founded and for centuries is the cultural, religious and trading centre of Mesoamerica. 

50 The Maya city of Cerros is built, with a complex of temples and ball courts. It is abandoned (for reasons unknown) a hundred years later and its people return to fishing and farming.

A.D.

100 The decline of the Olmecs.

 400 The Maya highlands fall under the domination of Teotihuacan, and the disintegration of Maya culture and language begins in some parts of the highlands. 

500 The Maya city of Tikal becomes the first great Maya city, as citizens from Teotihuacan make their way to Tikal, introducing new ideas involving weaponry, captives, ritual practices and human sacrifice. 

600 An unknown event destroys the civilization at Teotihuacan, along with the empire it supported. Tikal becomes the largest city-state in Mesoamerica , with as many as 500,000 inhabitants within the city and its hinterland. 

683 The Emperor Pacal dies at the age of 80 and is buried in the Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque.

 751 Long-standing Maya alliances begin to break down. Trade between Maya city-states declines, and inter-state conflict increases.

 869 Construction ceases in Tikal, marking the beginning of the city’s decline.

 899 Tikal is abandoned. 

900 The Classic Period of Maya history ends, with the collapse of the southern lowland cities. Maya cities in the northern Yucatan continue to thrive.