Timeline
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7000 BCE - 2000 BCEThe Archaic Period in Mesoamerica during which hunter-gatherer culture moved toward agriculture.
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c. 2700 BCECorn is first cultivated in Mesoamerica.
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c. 1200 BCESan Lorenzo becomes the great ceremonial centre of the Olmec civilization.
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c. 1200 BCE - c. 400 BCEThe Olmec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
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1200 BCE - 300 BCEThe Olmec Period which saw the rise of the Olmec culture's work in stone, first major cities appear.
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c. 1200 BCEThe Olmec civilization springs from the grouping of ancient villages along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
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950 BCE - 1400 BCEEvidence of the surgical procedure of trephination found in Mesoamerica.
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c. 900 BCEThe centre of San Lorenzo is detroyed and monuments are defaced. La Venta becomes the Olmec capital.
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500 BCE - 900 CEThe Zapotec Civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
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500 BCE - 450 BCEMonte Alban becomes the capital of the Zapotec in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico.
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c. 300 BCE - 400 BCELa Venta is destroyed, monuments are defaced and the Olmec civilization ends.
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250 CE - 950 CEThe Classic Maya Period which saw the height of the Maya Civilization in cities such as Chichen Itza, Palenque, Tikal, Copan and Uxmal.
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c. 900 CE - c. 1150 CEThe Toltec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
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935 CE - 947 CECe Acatl Topiltzin the legendary leader of the Toltecs was born.
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1100 CE - 1200 CEThe Valley of Mexico is first settled by migrating tribes (Chichimecs, Tepanecs, Mexica and Acolhua).
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c. 1150 CEThe Toltec capital of Tollan is systematically destroyed.
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c. 1345 CE - 1521 CEThe Aztec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
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1345 CETraditional date for the founding of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco.
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1418 CETexcoco is temporarily conquered by Mexica and Tepanec forces.
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1428 CEThe Triple Alliance is formed between Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan.
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1431 CENetzahualcoyotl officially becomes tlatoani or leader of Texcoco.
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1469 CE - 1481 CEAxayacatl reigns as leader of the Aztec Empire.
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1486 CE - 1502 CEAhuitzotl reigns as leader of the Aztec Empire.
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1502 CE - 1520 CEMotecuhzoma II reigns as leader of the Aztec Empire.
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c. 1520 CEIxtlilxochitl, with the support of Cortés, becomes king of Texcoco.
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13 Aug 1521 CEThe Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan falls into the hands of Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés.