Tikal

Definition

Tikal, located in the north of the Petén region of Guatemala, was a major Maya city which flourished between 300 and 850 CE. The city, known to the Maya themselves as Mutul, is one of the grandest in Mesoamerica. Amongst the first Maya cities to gain prominence in the Early Classic period (250-600 CE), Tikal built its wealth by exploiting its natural resources and geographical location to become a Maya superpower, a status it also enjoyed in the 7th century CE when some of the site's most impressive later monuments were constructed. Tikal is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

More about: Tikal

Timeline

  • c. 300 BCE
    First recorded settlement at Tikal.
  • c. 250 BCE
    The first structures are built on the North Acropolis, Tikal.
  • c. 100 BCE - 50 BCE
    The earliest known Maya murals are painted at San Bartolo, Guatemala.
  • 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. 292 CE
    The oldest known Maya stela is produced at Tikal.
  • 378 CE
    First contact between Teotihuacan and Tikal.
  • 420 CE
    Death of Maya ruler Yax Nuun Ayiin 'Curl Nose' at Tikal.
  • 562 CE
    Caracol embarks on a period of expansion and defeats Tikal .
  • 682 CE - 734 CE
    Reign of Jasaw Chan K'awiil at Tikal.
  • 695 CE
    Tikal defeats rival Maya city Calakmul.
  • c. 727 CE
    Temple I at Tikal is completed and will be used as the tomb of ruler Jasaw Chan K'awiil.
  • 734 CE - 746 CE
    Reign of Maya ruler Yax Kin at Tikal who would be buried inside Temple IV.
  • c. 900 CE
    Maya Tikal is definitively abandoned.
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