Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Timeline of the Maya

  • 2000 BC: Early Maya settlements begin to emerge in Mesoamerica.

    (c) Simon Burchell

  • 1000 BC: Agriculture becomes prevalent, with maize as the primary crop.

  • 800 BC: The Olmec influence on Maya culture becomes apparent.

  • c. 700 BC: The Tomb of Maya King K’utz Chman, founder of the Maya, is constructed in Guatemala.

  • 400 BC: Maya ceremonial centres and complex architecture begin to develop.

  • 250 AD: The Preclassic period ends, marking the transition to the Classic period, in which the Maya experience rapid growth and cultural development.

  • 300-600 AD: The Maya civilisation reaches its peak with the construction of monumental cities such as Tikal, Palenque and Copan.

  • 426-437 AD: Reign of the first named Copan ruler K’inich Yax K’uk Mo.

  • 600-800 AD: The Classic Maya civilisation witnesses a period of expansion and increased political complexity.

  • 615-683 AD: Reign of Pacal the Great, king of Palenque.

    (c) Lousanroj

  • 682-734 AD: Reign of Jasaw Chan K’awiil at Tikal.

  • 800-900 AD: The Classic period comes to an end, marked by the decline and abandonment of many major cities.

  • 900-1200 AD: The Postclassic period begins, characterised by political fragmentation and the rise of smaller city-states.

  • 987 AD: The city of Chichen Itza becomes a prominent political and religious centre.

    (c) Daniel Schwen

  • 1200-1521: The Itza people establish dominance over the northern Yucatan Peninsula, leading to the formation of the League of Mayapan.

  • 1441: The League of Mayapan collapses, resulting in political instability and the fragmentation of Maya territories.

    (c) Pavel Vorobiev

  • 1511: Spanish explorers encounter the Maya for the first time.

  • 1521: Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortes, conquer the Aztec Empire in central Mexico.

  • 1541: Spanish forces conquer the last remaining independent Maya city-state of Tayasal in present-day Guatemala.

  • 16th – 17th centuries: Spanish colonisation brings about the suppression of indigenous Maya traditions and the imposition of Christianity.

  • 1697: The Spanish defeat the Itza Maya at the Battle of Nojpetén, marking the final conquest of the Maya civilisation.

    (c) Simon Burchell