Maya Preclassic Civilization

Timeline

1. c. -1000–-600Core Maya lowlands · Petén DepartmentThe Maya developed raised-field agriculture and water management in the lowland tropical environment; villages grew in size, social stratification first appeared, and trade links were established with the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific coastal regions.
2. c. -800–-500Nakbé · Petén DepartmentSites such as Nakbé yielded Mesoamerica's earliest giant limestone pyramids and plaza complexes, indicating that Preclassic Maya could already organize large-scale public works.
3. c. -500–250El Mirador · Petén DepartmentIn the Late Preclassic the earliest Maya script and Long Count calendar system appeared, and El Mirador became one of the largest cities in the lowlands; Preclassic achievements laid the foundation for the Classic Maya city-state era.