Timeline of Mesoamerica

By sallyambrose
  • Period: 2000 BCE to 900 BCE

    Formative Period

  • 1200 BCE

    Olmec Innovation San Lorenzo

    Olmec Innovation San Lorenzo
    In 1200 BCE, the Olmecs developed the city of San Lorenzo.
  • Period: 1200 BCE to 400 BCE

    Olmecs

    The Olmecs were the first major civilization in Mesoamerica during the formative period. They rose to power in around 1200 BCE and disappeared around 400 BCE.
  • Period: 1100 BCE to 800

    Olmec Trading Network Innovation

    Between 1100 and 800 BCE, the Olmecs developed an extensive trading network.
  • 900 BCE

    Olmec Writing System Innovation

    Olmec Writing System Innovation
    Olmecs developed a writing system sometimes called Isthmian which was later discovered on stone slabs. Oldest example of writing in the Americas.
  • 800 BCE

    Olmec Interesting Fact

    Olmec Interesting Fact
    The Olmecs constructed 17 known large stone heads which are believed to be the faces of the rulers.
  • Period: 700 BCE to 1000

    Zapotec Civilization

    The Zapotec civilization flourished from the Formative period to the Classical stage. They inhabited the Oaxaca valley from 700 BCE when they rose to power until 1000 AD when their civilization fell.
  • 500 BCE

    Zapotec Irrigation Innovation

    Zapotec Irrigation Innovation
    The Zapotecs developed advanced irrigation systems for their cities including manmade terraces for crops which were watered by a canals fed by springs.
  • Period: 200 BCE to 700

    Teotihuacan

    The constructor of the city is unknown and most likely ruled by a council. The civilization ended after a volcanic winter where temperatures drastically dropped due to the amount of volcanic ash in the air.
  • 100 BCE

    Chinampas Created

    Chinampas Created
    Floating gardens on Lake Texcoco that followed the directional orientation of the city.
  • 100 BCE

    Zapotec Writing Innovation

    Zapotec Writing Innovation
    Sometime during the classical period, the Zapotec developed a semantic and phonetic alphabet which has yet to be translated. They also created a calendar with 260 days and a system of dots and lines to represent numbers.
  • 150

    Zapotec Architecture Innovation

    The Zapotec built a major stone building shaped like an arrow and pointing towards the Capella star during this period.
  • 200

    Pyramid of the Sun

    Pyramid of the Sun
    One of the largest structures in the Western Hemisphere that rises 216 feet.
  • 250

    Pyramid of the Moon

    Pyramid of the Moon
    The second largest structure in the city rises about 140 feet facing the Avenue of the Dead.
  • Period: 250 to 900

    Classical Stage

  • 300

    Teotihuacan Interesting Facts

    Teotihuacan Interesting Facts
    They monopolized obsidian and made different tools with this resource. Also the peak population of the city of 150,000 people.
  • 700

    Zapotecs Interesting Fact

    The Zapotecs were skilled sculptors and many urns, figures, and vases have been found made out of clay as well as jade.
  • Period: 900 to 1300

    Toltecs

    The Toltecs rose to power during the 10th century and were admired by the Aztecs for their love of warfare. The Toltec leaders invaded Teotihucuan and spread the belief of the god Quetzalcoatl. They declined in the 12th century from invasions and civil wars and the final leader committed suicide.
  • 1000

    Mixtec Interesting Fact

    The Mixtecs developed and spoke many Otomanguean languages. However, in all of these languages, Mixtec meant rain people.
  • Period: 1000 to 1521

    Post-classical Stage

  • Period: 1000 to 1350

    Mixtecs

    The Mixtecs created their civilization in the Mexican valley around Oaxaca and ruled into 1350 when they were conquered by the Aztecs.
  • 1100

    Toltec Agriculture

    Toltec Agriculture
    The Toltecs farmed large maize crops, beans, and chili papers, and created naturally colored cotton.
  • 1100

    Mixtec Innovation Writing System

    The Mixtecs developed a system of glyphs somewhat similar to the Zapotec writing system. Glyphs were images that symbolized events, places, and phenomenon.
  • 1148

    Toltecs Irrigation

    The Toltecs had an advanced irrigation system utilizing channels to control the flow of water. They also built damns due to the scarce rains.
  • 1150

    Mixtec Innovation Codices

    The Mixtecs developed codices (singular codex) which were books made of deer skin or bark that had tales of heroes and gods.
  • 1200

    Toltecs Craftsman

    Toltecs Craftsman
    The Toltecs are known for their pottery as well as their work with gold, jade, turquoise, and quetzal feathers.
  • 1200

    Mixtec Innovation Metalworking

    The Mixtecs became expert metalworkers and metallurgists. They worked primarily with turquoise and gold to create necklaces and pendants.