• 30,000 BCE

    Ice age

    Ice age
    The Ice Age refers to a period in Earth's history characterized by the extensive coverage of land by ice sheets and glaciers. It occurred several times, with the most recent one being the Pleistocene Epoch, which began around 2.6 million years ago and ended about 11,700 years ago. During an Ice Age, temperatures were significantly cooler, and large areas of the planet, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, were covered by thick ice. This led to lower sea levels due to the accumulation of wa
  • 20,000 BCE

    Initial human presence

    Initial human presence
    The origin of humans, known as human evolution, traces back millions of years. The earliest hominins appeared in Africa around 6 to 7 million years ago. Key species include Australopithecus, Homo habilis, and Homo erectus. Modern humans, Homo sapiens, emerged approximately 300,000 years ago, characterized by advanced tools, language, and social structures. Our migration out of Africa began around 70,000 years ago, leading to the spread of humans across the globe.
  • 20,000 BCE

    Late Paleolithic Period

    Late Paleolithic Period
    The Late Paleolithic Period, spanning roughly from 40,000 to 10,000 years ago, marks the final phase of the Paleolithic Era. During this time, humans developed sophisticated tools, including blades and microliths, and began to engage in complex social structures and artistic expression, as seen in cave paintings and carvings. This period is characterized by a reliance on hunting and gathering, with evidence of seasonal migrations and increasingly organized groups. The Late Paleolithic
  • 16,000 BCE

    Migration into the americas

    Migration into the americas
    The migration into the Americas is believed to have occurred around 15,000 to 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Early humans likely crossed a land bridge called Beringia, which connected Siberia to Alaska due to lower sea levels. These hunter-gatherer groups gradually spread southward and eastward across North and South America, adapting to diverse environments
  • 14,000 BCE

    Clovis

    Clovis
    The Clovis culture, dating back to around 13,000 years ago, is one of the earliest known prehistoric cultures in North America. It is characterized by distinct stone tools, particularly large, fluted projectile points used for hunting. Clovis people were likely nomadic hunter-gatherers who followed megafauna, including mammoths and mastodons.
  • 12,000 BCE

    End of the ice age

    End of the ice age
    Milankovitch Cycles: These are changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt that occur over thousands of years. They affect the distribution and intensity of sunlight received, influencing long-term climate patterns and contributing to glacial and interglacial cycles.
    Greenhouse Gases: As the Ice Age ended, increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane—primarily from natural sources—intensified warming, as these gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
  • 10,000 BCE

    Stone age

    Stone age
    The Stone Age is the earliest known period of human culture, characterized by the use of stone tools. It is typically divided into three main phases: Paleolithic (Old Stone Age): Lasting from around 2.5 million years ago to about 10,000 BCE, it involved the development of basic stone tools, hunting, and gathering societies. Humans were mostly nomadic.
    Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age): Spanning roughly from 10,000 BCE to around 5,000 BCE, this period saw advancements in tool technology and the
  • 3300 BCE

    Bronze age

    Bronze age
    The Bronze Age is a significant period in human history characterized by the use of bronze tools and weapons, marking advancements in technology, society, and culture. It generally spans from around 3300 BCE to 1200 BCE, varying by region. Here are some key features: Metalworking: The introduction of bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) revolutionized tool and weapon production, making them stronger and more durable than stone.
    Urbanization: The Bronze Age saw the rise of complex societies and u
  • 2500 BCE

    Preclassic (2500 BCE - 200 CE)

    Preclassic (2500 BCE - 200 CE)
    • Olmecs (c. 1200-400 BCE): Considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, known for colossal heads.
    • Zapotecs (c. 500 BCE): Development of Monte Albán, one of the first complex cities.
  • 900 BCE

    Postclassic (900 CE - 1521 CE)

    Postclassic (900 CE - 1521 CE)
    • Toltecs (c. 900-1200 CE): Influence on culture and architecture, with Tula as their center.
    • Mexicas (Aztecs) (c. 1325-1521 CE): Foundation of Tenochtitlan and the expansion of a vast empire, rich in religious and cultural practices.
  • 200 BCE

    Classic (200 CE - 900 CE)

    Classic (200 CE - 900 CE)
    • Teotihuacan (c. 100-650 CE): Monumental city with the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.
    • Maya (c. 250-900 CE): Development in the southeast, with cities like Tikal and Palenque, known for advancements in mathematics and astronomy.
  • 1521

    Colonial (1521 - 1821)

    Colonial (1521 - 1821)
    • Spanish colonization: A blend of Indigenous and Spanish cultures, introducing Christianity and new traditions.
  • Independence and Revolution (1821 - 1917)

    Independence and Revolution (1821 - 1917)
    • Independence (1821): Struggle for freedom from Spanish rule.
    • Mexican Revolution (1910-1920): Social movement seeking political and agrarian reform.
  • Contemporary Mexico (1917 - present)

    Contemporary Mexico (1917 - present)
    • National identity: A fusion of Indigenous and Spanish traditions expressed in art, music, and cuisine.