Maya City-State Warfare

Timeline

1. 1161–1164Around Chichen Itza · YucatánChiefdoms of the northern Yucatán clashed over control of salt production and coastal trade routes; powerful polities such as Chichen Itza expanded their influence through military alliances and tribute systems, and the political center of the Postclassic Maya continued to shift northward.
2. 1165–1168Petén lowlands · PeténRemnant Maya city-states in the Petén region fought continuously along their borders, reinforcing the legitimacy of royal authority through the capture of nobles and sacrificial rituals; archaeological inscriptions and remains of fortifications indicate frequent warfare.
3. 1169–1170Trade routes of the Maya lowlands · Maya lowlandsVictorious city-states established checkpoints and garrisoned strongholds along major trade routes, converting military victories into control over the trade in obsidian, jade, and salt; city-state warfare thus became closely intertwined with regional economic competition.