Visual Timeline: The Maya

Visual Timeline: The Maya

By Harleen Dhaliwal

Spanish Rule - Present Day Mexico

End of Classical Period

Growth of Empire

First Settlements/Beginning of The Maya

Many conflicts within the Mayan communities started to rise. Trade between Maya areas and regions started to decline as well as alliances with other regions and communities of Maya people started to break. Conflicts within the people increased, leading to the stop of construction and growth in the city of Tikal - marking the gradual end of the city.

By this time the idea of hierarchical society came to play. Which meant having rulers/kings, nobles, having a system of government for controlling cities and regions of Maya. The expanding and growth of new settlements led to the establishment of cities. The biggest city of the time was founded by the name of Teotihuacan. This city was the central of cultural gatherings, the main trading center and a place for religion and belief to further expand. The city of Cerros was also built along this time bring complex temples and and many ball courts.

The Spanish start their conquest in northern Maya and eventually take over all of Maya after multiple battles. They established a city at Merida in Yucatan. Although the Spanish took over, the Spanish could only control the Mayans but not subdue their people.

Mexico becomes independent from Spain.

Time Frame: 751 AD - 869 AD

Time Frame: 300 BC - 100 AD

First settlements occurred in the highlands and lowlands of MesoAmerica by hunters and gatherers. Mayan settlements in the highlands were dictated by the water supply (abundance of water) but also where rich land (fertile soil) and natural resources could be found easily. In the lowlands however consisting of 2 parts. West bordering with the Pacific Ocean and erosion of volcanic mountains made fertile land. On the east of the lowlands, where the Yucatan Peninsula is located along with many future famous ancient Mayan cities.

This time was also known as the creation of the world according to the Maya long calendar.

Time Frame: 1541 - 1821

Time Frame: 11 000 BC - 2 600 BC

Teotihaucan: the pyramid of the moon

Conflicts within the Mayans.

Tikal.

An olmec sculpture

Cerros.

Hunters, Gatherers

Yucatan Peninsula

Division of land

Late Classic Period

Colonial Period

Olmec Period

Present Day

Early Preclassic

Period

Spain in Mesoamerica....

Fall of the Olmecs

Olmec Civilization & Preclassic Maya

The spaniards have arrived!

In this time northern cities in Mesoamerica such as Yucatan were abandoned. The first Spanish explorers arrive in Mesoamerica through the shores of Yucatan bringing diseases such as influenza, small pox and measles; diseases unknown by the Mayans

Did you know: A Spaniard Gonzalo Guerrero found the Maya through a shipwrecked and joined forces. Marrying into a noble Maya family. Genzalo helped the Mayans in resisting against the Spanish rule in Yucatan.

This time marked the decline of the Olmecs. The highlands fell under the Teotihuacan control. A lot of the Maya culture and language starts to disintegrate and split into different regions. The city of Teotihuacan is destroyed and Tikal becomes the first greatest and largest Maya City in all if Mesoamerica. New ideas are developed regarding weaponry, captives, ritual practice and human sacrifice.

The rise of the Olmec civilization - the first major civilization in Mexico. The Olmec civilization explains for where the different aspects of the Mayan culture was taken from. The Olmec's were settled mainly in the lowlands. Through the preclassic period (agriculture) farming became established in many regions. Writing in mesoamerica was developed.

Did you know the earliest known solar calendars were carved in stone and used among the Mayans.

Time Frame : 1200 AD - 1517 AD

Time Frame:2 000 BC - 400 BC

Time frame: 100 AD - 600 AD

Spanish in Mesoamerica.

City of Tikal - Largest city in Mesoamerica

Remains of Teotihuacan.

Mayans & Human Sacrifice

Farming.

Mayan Rituals - Praying to gods and

nobles

Spanish bringing disease into

the Maya population.

Olmec Civilization in the lowlands.

Mayan Writing in stone

Spanish arriving in the Maya World

Mayan weapons.