Timeline of Important Mayan Events:
2000 BCE: Early Mayan villages start forming in the southern part of Mesoamerica. People begin to farm and make simple pottery.
500 BCE: The Classic Period begins, and big city-states like Tikal and Yaxmutal grow. These places have organized governments, impressive buildings, and a system of writing with pictures.
250 CE: The "Early Classic" period happens, and the Maya create their special calendar called the Long Count to keep track of long periods of time.
300 CE: A city called Teotihuacan in central Mexico influences Mayan culture, resulting in new styles in their buildings and art.
800 CE: The "Late Classic" period is at its best. The Maya build huge pyramids and temples at places like Tikal and Caracol, showing that they are powerful and culturally advanced.
850 CE: The "Collapse" starts, which means many people leave their cities in the southern lowlands due to problems like environmental damage, conflicts, and too many people.
900 CE: The focus of Mayan civilization moves to the northern lowlands, where new cities like Chichen Itza and Uxmal emerge, showcasing different styles of architecture.
1200 CE: The Mayan civilization starts to decline. There are smaller groups in power, and they lose control over a larger area.
1500 CE: The Spanish conquer the Mayan region, ending traditional Mayan life. They bring Christianity and change the way people live as the Maya are absorbed into the Spanish system.