Early Preclassic Maya villages

Early Preclassic Maya villages appears on the timeline as a people or culture of Maya Lowlands and Highlands (Mesoamerica and Caribbean) from c. 1200 to 600 BCE, a span of 600 years. Its people spoke Mayan languages (Classic and Postclassic Maya, K'iche').

The first Maya farming villages in the lowlands, such as Cuello in Belize and Ceibal in Guatemala, where a ceremonial plaza was built around 1000 BCE.

See Early Preclassic Maya villages on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1200 to 600 BCE
Duration: 600 years
Type: People or culture
Region: Maya Lowlands and Highlands, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
Language family: Mayan

Events in Mesoamerica and Caribbean during its time

1200 BCE San Lorenzo rises as the first Olmec center

Neighbours in Mesoamerica and Caribbean

El Mirador c. 600 BCE to 150 CE
Kaminaljuyu c. 800 BCE to 800 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Shang dynasty c. 1600 to 1046 BCE, East Asia
New Kingdom of Egypt c. 1550 to 1069 BCE, North and West Africa
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East
Hittite Empire (New Kingdom) c. 1400 to 1180 BCE, Middle East

Questions

When did Early Preclassic Maya villages exist?

c. 1200 to 600 BCE, about 600 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Early Preclassic Maya villages?

Maya Lowlands and Highlands, in Mesoamerica and Caribbean.

What language did Early Preclassic Maya villages speak?

Mayan. This family includes Classic and Postclassic Maya, K'iche'.