Mesoamerica Timeline

• 7000 BCE - 2000 BCE
  The Archaic Period in Mesoamerica during which hunter-gatherer culture moved toward agriculture.
• c. 2700 BCE
  Corn is first cultivated in Mesoamerica.
• c. 1200 BCE
  San Lorenzo becomes the great ceremonial centre of the Olmec civilization.
• c. 1200 BCE - c. 400 BCE
  The Olmec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
• 1200 BCE - 300 BCE
  The Olmec Period which saw the rise of the Olmec culture's work in stone, first major cities appear.
• c. 1200 BCE
  The Olmec civilization springs from the grouping of ancient villages along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
• 950 BCE - 1400 BCE
  Evidence of the surgical procedure of trephination found in Mesoamerica.
• c. 900 BCE
  The centre of San Lorenzo is detroyed and monuments are defaced. La Venta becomes the Olmec capital.
• 500 BCE - 900 CE
  The Zapotec Civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
• 500 BCE - 450 BCE
  Monte Alban becomes the capital of the Zapotec in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico.
• c. 500 BCE
  Cuicuilco is at its peak in the Valley of Mexico and constructs a large circular temple pyramid.
• c. 300 BCE - 400 BCE
  La Venta is destroyed, monuments are defaced and the Olmec civilization ends.
• c. 300 BCE
  First recorded settlement at Tikal.
• c. 50 BCE - c. 100 CE
  Cuicuilco in the Valley of Mexico is destroyed by a volcanic eruption.
• c. 100 CE
  The Pyramid of the Sun is built at Teotihuacan.
• 250 CE - 950 CE
  The Classic Maya Period which saw the height of the Maya Civilization in cities such as Chichen Itza, Palenque, Tikal, Copan and Uxmal.
• c. 300 CE - 550 CE
  The city of Teotihuacan dominates Mesoamerica.
• 426 CE - 437 CE
  Reign of the first named Copan ruler K'inich Yax K'uk Mo.
• c. 600 CE
  Teotihuacan is deliberately destroyed by fire and abandoned.
• c. 700 CE
  Xochicalco in the highlands of central Mexico is founded.
• c. 800 CE
  The Pyramid of the Niches is completed at El Tajin.
• 900 CE - 1100 CE
  El Tajin flourishes in northern Veracruz.
• c. 900 CE - c. 1150 CE
  The Toltec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
• c. 900 CE
  Xochicalco in the highlands of central Mexico is abandoned.
• 935 CE - 947 CE
  Ce Acatl Topiltzin the legendary leader of the Toltecs was born.
• 1100 CE - 1200 CE
  The Valley of Mexico is first settled by migrating tribes (Chichimecs, Tepanecs, Mexica and Acolhua).
• c. 1150 CE
  The Toltec capital of Tollan is systematically destroyed.
• 1156 CE - 1168 CE
  The remaining Toltecs led by Huemac flee Tollan and re-settle at Chapultepec on the west banks of Lake Texcoco.
• c. 1200 CE
  Tulum prospers as a trading centre under the influence of Mayapan.
• c. 1345 CE - 1521 CE
  The Aztec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
• 1345 CE
  Traditional date for the founding of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco.
• 1350 CE - 1522 CE
  The Tarascan civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
• 1418 CE
  Texcoco is temporarily conquered by Mexica and Tepanec forces.
• 1428 CE
  The Triple Alliance is formed between Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan.
• 1431 CE
  Netzahualcoyotl officially becomes tlatoani or leader of Texcoco.
• 1469 CE - 1481 CE
  Axayacatl reigns as leader of the Aztec Empire.
• 1486 CE - 1502 CE
  Ahuitzotl reigns as leader of the Aztec Empire.
• 1502 CE - 1520 CE
  Motecuhzoma II reigns as leader of the Aztec Empire.
• c. 1520 CE
  Ixtlilxochitl, with the support of Cortés, becomes king of Texcoco.
• 13 Aug 1521 CE
  The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan falls into the hands of Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés.