precolumbiancivilizations

Mayans (Mike and Sean)

Page history last edited by MikeSean 6 mos ago

There are 11 different periods within the Mayan Civilization…Period Litico, Archaic Period, Olmec, Early Pre-classic Maya, Middle Pre-classic Maya, Late Pre-classic Maya, Early Classic Maya, Late Classic Maya, Post Classic Maya, Colonial Period, and Independent Mexico. All of these time periods range from about 11,000 B.C. to current time today.

Period Litico: (10,000-3000 B.C.)

The first ever Mayas gathered in the highlands. At that time the Mayans were basically hunter/gatherers. They made simple tools like the mortar and pestle, which were use for grinding and mixing substances.

Archaic Period: (3000-1800 B.C.)

The Mayans started making types of forks knives, and axes.

Olmec: (about 1500 B.C.)

The start of the Mayan Olmec period is debated among scientist, some think that it began as early as 3000 B.C. while others think that it only started in 1000 B.C. The Mayan Civilization came from the Olmec although they did not bring along all of their customs.

Early Pre-Classic Maya : (1800-200 B.C.)

The Mayas started to farm and became an agricultural society. Because of this, they began to observe the seasons of the year, map the moon, and observe the sun. This was the beginning of astronomy in the Mayan civilization. They also began to use Ceramics, and started to make fine works of art in the form of sculpting and painting. By this time they had also began to develop an advance system of numbers and a geroglyphical writing system.

Classical Mayan Period: (900-300 B.C.)

The Mayan civilization had began the use of the earliest known solar calendars carved in stone. They also had adopted the idea of a hierarchical society that was ruled by nobles and kings. They also founded the city of Teotihuacan which began one of the largest cultural, religious, and trading societies in Mesoamerica.

Early Classic Maya: (0-600 A.D.)

In about 100 A.D. The Mayan highlands began to fall under the domination of Teotihuacan, and the Mayan culture began to disintegrate. In about 600 A.D. an unknown event destroys the city of Teotihuacan along with the Mayan civilization that it supported.

Late Classic Maya: (600-900 A.D.)

After Teotihuacan collapsed, Tikal became the biggest city in Mesoamerica. In this period the powerful Mayan Alliances began to break down, as trading between other city-states was decreased too. Then, construction was brought to a halt in Tikal, and in 899 B.C. the city was abandoned.

Post Classic Maya: (900-1500 A.D.)

Then, Mayan cities in Northern Yucatan continued to thrive. But, in 1000 B.C., those cities began to be abandoned. Then, Hernandez de Cordoba came to Mesoamerica and diseases that were carried by the Spaniards, probably small pox and several other diseases, killed off 90 percent of the Mesoamerican population.

Colonial Period: (1521-1821 A.D)

Hernan Cortes met the Itza, the last people of the Mayan Civilization to remain unconquered by the Spaniards. Then, Francisco de Montejo began his conquest to defeat the Northern Mayans. The Mayans put up a good fight for seven years. Finally though, the Spaniards were able to defeat the Mayans. The Spaniards then set up a city in Yucatan, and they discovered the ruins of Tikal. The Spaniards take the city of Tayasal, and the last of the Mayan culture is subdued to the Spanish Crown. In 1821, Mexico separated from Spain.

Independent Mexico: (1821-today)

In 1821, John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood began exploring Mayan ruins, revealing the unknown greatness of the ancient Mayan Civilization.