Postclassic Maya activity (c. 1175)

Timeline

1. c. 1170–1175Chichén Itzá · Yucatán StateIn the 12th century, Chichén Itzá remained one of the most influential city-states on the Yucatán Peninsula, with structures such as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (the Castillo pyramid) continuing to serve ritual and political symbolic functions. The city-state controlled surrounding settlements through tribute and military alliances, maintaining contact with trade routes along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
2. c. 1175–1180Mayapan · Yucatán StateThe power of the Mayapan city-state gradually rose in the mid-to-late 12th century, forming a competitive relationship with Chichén Itzá. Postclassic Maya society organized politics through city-state alliances rather than a single empire; local rulers (batab) were retained everywhere but had to pay tribute to stronger city-states. Coastal salt production and inland cocoa trade sustained the regional economy.