Maya Late Classic Period

Timeline

1. 600–650Calakmul and Tikal · MesoamericaIn the first half of the 7th century, Calakmul, under the leadership of the Snake Dynasty, exerted military and diplomatic pressure on city-states such as Tikal; Maya inscriptions record numerous events such as the capture of nobles, the burning of cities, and the re-establishment of heirs, as the struggle for regional hegemony reached its height.
2. 615–683Palenque and Copán · MesoamericaUnder the long reign of K'inich Janaab Pakal, Palenque and southern city-states such as Copán undertook monumental construction from the mid to late 7th century; sculpture, pottery, and inscription art reached their peak, showing that Classic Period cultural creativity remained vigorous.
3. 683–700City-states of the Maya lowlands · MesoamericaIn the late 7th century, inscription frequency declined in several city-states while records of warfare increased; population and resource pressures began to appear in archaeological strata, and an integration crisis gradually accumulated beneath the prosperity of the Late Classic.