Classic Maya civilization

Classic Maya civilization appears on the timeline as a people or culture of Maya Lowlands and Highlands (Mesoamerica and Caribbean) from c. 250 to 900 CE, a span of 650 years. Its people spoke Mayan languages (Classic and Postclassic Maya, K'iche').

Dozens of rival divine kingdoms that recorded their history in the best understood writing system of the ancient Americas and tracked time with the Long Count. Most lowland cities were abandoned by 900.

See Classic Maya civilization on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 250 to 900 CE

Duration

650 years

Type

People or culture

Region

Maya Lowlands and Highlands, Mesoamerica and Caribbean

Language family

Mayan

Events in Mesoamerica and Caribbean during its time

• 378 Teotihuacan intervenes at Tikal
• 695 Tikal defeats Calakmul
• 850 Classic Maya collapse

Neighbours in Mesoamerica and Caribbean

• Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE
• Zapotec state (Monte Albán) c. 500 BCE to 850 CE
• Tikal (Mutal) c. 90 to 900 CE
• Mixtec kingdoms c. 900 to 1522 CE
• Kaan kingdom (Calakmul) c. 400 to 900 CE
• Chichen Itza c. 750 to 1200 CE
• Toltec state (Tula) c. 900 to 1150 CE
• Cholula c. 300 BCE to 1519 CE
• Kaminaljuyu c. 800 BCE to 800 CE
• Zapotec city-states (Zaachila, Mitla) c. 850 to 1521 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America

Questions