Mesoamerican History Timeline 1600bce-1600ce
1600 BCE-1200 BCE - The Olmec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica, known for their monumental stone heads and complex social structure.
1200 BCE-400 BCE - The Zapotec civilization emerges in the Oaxaca valley, developing a complex writing system and intricate architecture.
400 BCE-400 CE - The Teotihuacan civilization thrives in central Mexico, building impressive pyramids and creating a complex urban center.
600 CE - The Mayan civilization reaches its peak in the Yucatan Peninsula, developing advanced writing, mathematics, and astronomical knowledge.
800 CE - The decline of the Teotihuacan civilization leads to the rise of the Toltec civilization in central Mexico, known for their military prowess and influence on later Mesoamerican cultures.
1000 CE - The decline of the Mayan civilization begins, with many cities abandoned or destroyed.
1200 CE - The Aztec civilization establishes their capital city of Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco, eventually creating a vast empire through conquest and trade.
1521 CE - The Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernan Cortes, conquer the Aztec Empire and establish New Spain, marking the beginning of European colonization in Mesoamerica.