Maize Cultivation in Mesoamerica

Timeline

1. c. -3500–-1000Tehuacán Valley · PueblaAncient peoples selected large-eared edible maize from wild teosinte, completed domestication in valleys such as Tehuacán, and gradually expanded cultivation, laying the foundation for the Mesoamerican agricultural revolution.
2. c. -1000–-500Gulf Coast and Maya lowlands · MesoamericaMaize became the core food of Olmec and early Maya societies, forming a complementary rotation system with common beans and squash, supporting population growth and the rise of large ceremonial centers.
3. c. -500–500Mesoamerica to the northern Andes · Northern South AmericaMaize differentiated into many local varieties under different altitudes and climates, and spread along trade routes to the North American Southwest and the Andes of South America, becoming a staple crop shared by American civilizations.