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27,993 BCE
Bering strait formation
During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), sea levels dropped significantly due to the accumulation of ice. This exposed the Bering Land Bridge (Beringia), connecting modern-day Siberia and Alaska. -
10,000 BCE
End of the ice age
Transition to a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Evidence of early settlements and use of tools. -
7000 BCE
Domestication of Maize
Maize cultivation begins, marking the development of agriculture and the foundation of Mesoamerican civilizations. -
2000 BCE
Olmec civilization emerges
The Olmecs, considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, establish cities like San Lorenzo and La Venta. They create monumental stone heads and develop early writing and calendar systems. -
1200 BCE
Decline of Olmec Civilization
Other regional cultures like the Zapotecs (Monte Albán) and Maya begin to rise. -
1200 BCE
Olmec Influence Peaks
Olmec culture spreads across Mesoamerica, influencing later civilizations. -
250
Maya Civilization Flourishes
Maya city-states such as Tikal and Palenque thrive, with advances in astronomy, mathematics, and writing. -
300
Teotihuacan rises
The massive city of Teotihuacan, with the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, becomes a major cultural and economic hub. -
600
Decline of teotihuacan
Internal unrest and external pressures contribute to its fall, but its influence persists. -
900
Toltec civilization
The Toltecs establish their capital at Tula, known for its warrior statues and influence over central Mexico. -
1325
Founding of tenochtitlan
The Mexica (later known as the Aztecs) establish their capital city on an island in Lake Texcoco. -
1428
Formation of the aztec triple alliance
The alliance of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan begins Aztec dominance in central Mexico. -
1502
Moctezuma II becomes emperor
The Aztec Empire reaches its height under Moctezuma II, but internal tensions grow. -
Migration begins
Paleo-Indians, the ancestors of Native Americans, began migrating from Siberia into Beringia. They followed herds of large animals, such as mammoths, bison, and caribou, as the harsh ice age climate pushed them into new regions.