Maya Civilization

The Beginning

1600 BCE

Hunter-gatherers started popping up around modern-day Guatemala, but they didn't start considering themselves a civilization until around 300 BCE.

Slash and Burn

1500 BCE

The Mayans used a type of farming called, "slash and burn" farming. It was when forests were burned down and then cleared to get farmland for crops.

Aguada Fénix

1000 BCE

The oldest monument built by the Mayans was Aguada Fénix. It is the largest known monument and was built before their stepped pyramids.

Founding a Government

300 BCE

They started founding a system of government. They were ruled by kings and nobles. Soon after they developed into high structured kingdoms.

Form of Writing

300 BCE

The Mayans started writing around this time. They started writing on things like murals and recording all of their major achievements.

Becoming a Connected Civilization

250 BCE

Mayans weren't a very politically connected civilization but connected by language, religion, trade, and culture. They started becoming more powerful and some of the city-states had war with each other. Their religion included sacrifices to the gods.

Tikal

300

The city of Tikal was very important to the Mayans. It got its wealth by going through all of the natural resources found around it. Later it expanded its power by conquering some of its rivals. It began around 300 CE.

Chichen Itza

600

Chichen Itza reached its importance from 600 to 1050 CE. It was a major point for trade, religious activities, and scientific activities.

Spaniards

1500

The Spaniards came to the Maya civilization around this time. Hernán Cortés was the most notable one. Most of the civilization was already gone due to numerous reasons. This allowed the Spaniards to colonize here.

Last Mayan Stronghold

1697

The last Mayan stronghold in Guatemala fell to the Spaniards. Along with this, they brought diseases that killed off most of the population.