Rise of Northern Maya City-States in the Postclassic Period

Timeline

1. 1271–1280Mayapan · Yucatán PeninsulaAs the political center of Postclassic Yucatán, Mayapan exercised suzerainty over surrounding vassal city-states through a city-state alliance system led by the Cocom dynasty; the alliance structure stabilized in the mid-to-late 13th century.
2. 1271–1280Chichén Itzá and coastal trade nodes · Yucatán PeninsulaThough their political status changed, city-states such as Chichén Itzá continued to function as regional trade and cultural crossroads; coastal salt, cocoa, and pottery circulation sustained economic ties among Yucatán Peninsula city-states, and Postclassic artistic styles continued in temples and murals.