Table A-1
Evolution of Maya Polities:
Chronological Estimation of Political Formation
and Termination Dates
by Events from Archaeological and Epigraphic
Evidence
|
Case
no.
(a)
|
Polity
Name (b)
|
Formation Events
|
Formation
Date
t0
|
Termination
Events
|
Termination
Date
tf
|
|
2
|
Abaj Takalik
|
Construction of Monument 23 (colossal head) in Middle
Preclassic, ca. 700±300 BC.
Rugged topography suggests somewhat earlier polity
formation.
|
-800
|
Last recorded date (8.4.5.17.11 in Stela 5) is AD
126 and construction ceased by the end of the second century.
|
200
|
|
13
|
Altar de Sacrificios
|
First appearance of public architecture during Mamom
ceramic phase, ca. 600-400 BC.
|
-500
|
Abandoned after Jimba ceramic phase, AD 900-950
|
950
|
|
23
|
Altun ha
|
Str. 13-C-sub constructed in Late Preclassic, ca.
200±200 BC.
|
-200
|
All construction ceased in the Terminal Classic,
ca.AD 900±100
|
900
|
|
45
|
Anonal
|
Early Classic carved panel dated ca. AD 530.
|
500
|
Abandoned soon after AD 840±10, when a panel
records an event referring to Ruler E from Seibal.
|
870
|
|
40
|
Arroyo de Piedra/Tamarindito
|
First documented ruler of Tamarindito born on AD
472 (9.1.17.10.8).
|
442
|
Last recorded date about Tamarindito is AD 790 (9.18.0.0.0),
from Aguateca's Stela 7.
|
820
|
|
28
|
Becán
|
Elite center incl. Str. IV-sub was constructed
during Late Preclassic at ca. 150±250 BC. Moat and rampart
constructed in first part of Early Classic, ca. AD 300.
|
– 150
|
Construction ceased by AD 830 and ceramic evidence
shortly after shows an invasion from the north followed by abandonment.
|
850
|
|
35
|
Bonampak
|
Contemporary of Yaxchilán and Palenque.
|
400
|
Abandoned at approx. the same time (AD 809?) as Palenque
(AD 810) and Yaxchilán (AD 808).
|
809
|
|
17
|
Calakmul
|
First public works constructed at beginning of Late
Preclassic, ca. 400 BC.
|
– 400
|
Last date recorded is AD 810 (9.19.0.0.0), appearing
on several stelae.
|
840
|
|
55
|
Cancuen
|
Public architecture coeval with Tepeu 2 ceramics,
ca. AD 700.
|
700
|
Last date recorded is AD 800 (9.18.10.0.0).
|
830
|
|
36
|
Caracol
|
A Uaxactún-Tikal-type “E Group” was commissioned
by the rulers during Early Classic, ca. AD 400±150. Construction
was intensified around ca. 500.
|
400
|
Last date recorded is AD 859 (10.1.10.0.0).
|
889
|
|
24
|
Cerros
|
Construction of monumental platforms (Str. 5C) begins
in Late Preclassic and continues with other public buildings (Str. 6, Str.
4, Str. 29C).
|
– 200
|
Abandoned at the end of the Late Preclassic, by ca.
AD 50.
|
50
|
|
4
|
Chalchuapa
|
Massive conical earthen structure (E3-1) constructed
in Middle Preclassic, ca. 700±300 BC.
|
– 700
|
Occupied until the Spaniards’ arrival and conquest.
|
1540
|
|
46
|
Chicanná
|
Public architecture and palaces constructed during
Late Classic.
|
500
|
Abandoned in Terminal Classic, AD 900±100.
|
900
|
|
57
|
Chichén Itzá
|
Puuc-style public architecture is constructed in
the southern sector of the city, ca. AD 800.
|
800
|
Abandoned in AD 1200 (10.19.0.0.0).
|
1200
|
|
12
|
Cobá
|
Earliest public construction is coeval with Dzibilchaltún,
Nakbe, El Mirador, Tikal.
|
– 600
|
Abandoned in the Late Postclassic, ca. AD 1400.
|
1400
|
|
41
|
Comalcalco
|
Coeval with Palenque (AD 430–810) and Toniná
(AD 495–909).
|
450
|
Abandoned in Terminal Classic, ca. AD 900±100.
|
850
|
|
11
|
Preclassic Copán
|
Stone cobble platforms (Gordon sub-complex) are constructed
containing 47 burials in Sepulturas Group during Middle Preclassic, Uir-phase
900–400 BC. Offerings at Burial VIII– 27 indicate political complexity
above simple peasant farmers.
|
– 650
|
A possible hiatus in evidence of settlement occurs
in the Later Preclassic, 400 BC–AD 100.
|
– 200
|
|
29
|
Classic Copán
|
Bijac phase platforms in Patio A, Group 9N–
8. First recorded date on Stela I is AD 159 (8.6.0.0.0), for an unknown
event and first use of the Copán emblem glyph.
|
100
|
King U Cit Tok’s Altar L is left unfinished with
a recorded accession date of 10 February 822 (9.19.11.14.5). Central
government collapsed by AD 830 and by AD 1000 Copán Valley population
reduced by 90%.
|
850
|
|
1
|
Cuello
|
Public architecture and structures constructed by
Middle Preclassic (ca. 650 BC; Features 262, 250), incl. social ranking,
long-distance trade, elite burials and Swasey ceramics (ca. 900±100
BC).
|
– 900
|
Last pyramid constructed by AD 400.
|
450
|
|
52
|
Dos Pilas/
Aguateca
|
Founded ca. AD 640 by Ruler 1, a member of Tikal
royalty.
|
640
|
Destroyed by warfare and abandoned by mid– 9th century
AD.
|
850
|
|
14
|
Preclassic
Dzibilchaltún
|
First appearance of public architecture occurs in
the Nabanche ceramic phase, 600–400 BC.
|
– 500
|
Terminal Classic architecture during the Puuc
florescence. Early Postclassic population and construction decline,
AD 1100.
|
1100
|
|
62
|
Postclassic
Dzibilchaltún
|
Public construction re-starts ca. AD 1200.
|
1200
|
Finally abandoned in Late Postclassic, ca. 1500
|
1500
|
|
21
|
Edzná
|
Large-scale hydraulic engineering projects begun
by and improved during the Late Preclassic.
|
– 300
|
Abandoned in Terminal Classic, ca. AD 900±100.
|
900
|
|
50
|
El Chorro
|
Ruler 1 of Dos Pilas (inaugurated on AD 647) established
an alliance with El Chorro in the seventh century AD.
|
600
|
Last recorded date is AD 780 (9.17.10.0.0) on a looted
stela with El Chorro’s emblem glyph, found at Poptun. Abandoned in
Late Classic, AD 700±100.
|
800
|
|
18
|
El Mirador
|
Construction of the Central Acropolis at ca. 400
BC, between Late Preclassic, ca. 150±250, and beginnings in
the Middle Preclassic, ca. 700±300 BC.
|
– 400
|
Abandonment was almost complete by ca. AD 150.
|
150
|
|
25
|
El Perú
|
Late Preclassic construction begins, ca. 200±200
BC.
|
– 200
|
Tepeu 1 (AD 593 [9.8.0.0.0] to 692 [9.13.0.0.0])
monuments are constructed.
|
900
|
|
15
|
El Portón
|
Construction of earthen terraces, platform constructions,
paired stelae (Monument 1; ca. 400 BC), and altar in Str. J7-4, ca.
500 BC.
|
– 500
|
Terminal Preclassic (ca. 100 BC) population undergoes
decline.
|
– 100
|
|
26
|
Itzan
|
Preclassic ceramics at major public structures, ca.
200±200 BC: plaza group, palace structure, pyramid, causeway.
|
– 200
|
Terminal Classic Fine Orange ceramics. Latest
recorded date on Stela 6, AD 829 (9.19.19.16.0).
|
859
|
|
72
|
Iximché
|
Founded ca. 1470 by the Cakchiquel Maya after rebelling
against the Quiché State with capital in Utatlán.
|
1475
|
Destroyed by Pedro de Alvarado in AD 1526.
|
1526
|
|
58
|
Kabah
|
Public construction begins in early Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 800.
|
800
|
Puuc architecture ends in late Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 1000.
|
1000
|
|
5
|
Kaminaljuyú Las Vacas
|
Monumental architecture, carved monuments, and canals
constructed by Middle Preclasssic, ca. 700±300 BC.
|
– 700
|
Large change by AD 200, possibly abandoned by first
phase population, Las Vacas ceramic complex.
|
200
|
|
31
|
Kaminaljuyú Solano
|
Government taken over by an intrusive group entering
from NW Guatemala; Solano ceramic complex.
|
200
|
No evidence of hierarchical or centralized political
organization after AD 900.
|
900
|
|
6
|
Komchen
|
Construction of first structures begun by 700–650
BC, dated by Middle Preclassic Mamom Complex pottery.
|
– 700
|
Abandoned by AD 250.
|
250
|
|
59
|
Labna
|
Public construction begins in early Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 800.
|
800
|
Puuc architecture ends in late Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 1000.
|
1000
|
|
7
|
Lamanai
|
First public constructions (Str. N10-43) begin during
Middle Preclassic, ca. 700 BC.
|
– 700
|
Burials and limited construction continued until
the mid-1670s.
|
1675
|
|
48
|
Los Higos
|
Copán Stela P, dated at AD 623 (9.9.10.0.0)
records that King Butz Chan (11) of Copán carried out an action
at Los Higos in AD 578 (9.7.5.0.8).
|
548
|
Last inscribed monument dates from AD 822.
|
852
|
|
3
|
Los Mangales
|
Temple platforms, elite residences, specialized ranked
mortuary complexes constructed bet. 800 and 500 BC.
|
– 800
|
Shift in settlement pattern occurs away from
LOM and toward ELP.
|
– 500
|
|
51
|
Lubaantun
|
Single acropolis unit and two ballcourts constructed
during Late Classic, ca. AD 700±100.
|
600
|
Declined in second half of 9th century AD.
|
875
|
|
39
|
Machaquilá/
Tres Islas
|
Earliest date recorded at Tres Islas is AD
455 (9.1.0.0.0).
|
425
|
Last date recorded at Machaquilá is AD 841
(10.0.10.17.5).
|
871
|
|
69
|
Maní
|
Founded by the Tutul Xiu from Uxmal in 1441.
|
1441
|
Submitted peacefully to Spanish colonial rule,
under the leadership of the Christianized lord Melchor Tutul Xiu in AD
1542.
|
1542
|
|
64
|
Mayapán
|
Founded ca. AD 1100. Constructed El Castillo
replica of Chichén Itzá’s as first major structure.
|
1220
|
Government collapsed and city destroyed (burned,
sacked, abandoned) in AD 1441.
|
1441
|
|
56
|
Motul de San José
|
Glyphic record that sometime before AD 731 (9.15.0.0.0)
a lord of Motul was captured by Machaquilá Lord B.
|
701
|
Polity is recorded on Seibal Stela 10 as being
one of the four paramount polities of the time, along with Calakmul and
Tikal, on AD 849 (10.1.0.0.0).
|
879
|
|
66
|
Mixcu Viejo
|
Capital of the Pokoman Maya founded ca. AD 1250 after
the fall of Chichén Itzá.
|
1250
|
Conquered by Pedro de Alvarado in 1525.
|
1525
|
|
8
|
Nakbe
|
First major period of construction occurred in Middle
Preclassic, ca. 700±200 BC.
|
– 700
|
Ceases to function with no signs of active government
after AD 100.
|
100
|
|
37
|
Nakum
|
First public structures erected in Early Classic,
ca. 400; other major construction and temple structures during ca. 750±50
(Tepeu 2).
|
400
|
Last known dated stela is inscribed AD 849
(9.19.0.0.0).
|
879
|
|
19
|
Naranjo
|
Late Preclassic construction begins, ca. 200±200
BC.
|
– 400
|
Last recorded date is AD 849 (9.19.0.0.0).
|
879
|
|
30
|
Nohmul
|
Protoclassic construction begins, ca. AD 175±75.
|
150
|
Survives the Terminal Classic, ca. AD 1000.
|
1000
|
|
38
|
Palenque
|
Small ball court is constructed in Early Classic,
ca. AD 400±150. Balam Kuk became the first Lord of the dynasty
of Palenque in AD 431 (8.19.15.3.4).
|
400
|
Abandonment occurred about AD 810.
|
810
|
|
43
|
Piedras Negras
|
Earliest dated monument is Lintel 12, AD 514 (9.3.19.12.12).
|
484
|
Last date recorded, AD 810 (9.19.0.0.0).
|
840
|
|
42
|
Quiriguá
|
Ridgetop lookout station (Group A) and Group 3C-7
are constructed by the 5th cent. AD.
|
450
|
Abandoned within a century or so of Quiriguá
Lord Jade Sky’s reign (Str. 1B-1. AD 810, 9.19.0.0.0).
|
900
|
|
9
|
Rio Azul 1
|
Construction of first large temple begins in Middle
Preclassic (Str. G-103-sub2, ca. 700±300 BC), continuing through
Late Preclassic.
|
– 700
|
Abandoned by end of the Early Classic, at ca. AD
530–600.
|
530
|
|
54
|
Rio Azul 2
|
Second occupation begins at ca. AD 680, with less
public construction.
|
680
|
Stela 4 (AD 830–880) is erected, with a Chichén
warrior, marking the military destruction by a northern Puuc force.
|
855
|
|
60
|
Sayil
|
Public construction begins in early Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 800.
|
800
|
Puuc architecture ends in late Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 1000.
|
1000
|
|
20
|
Santa Rita Corozal/
Chetumal
|
Late Preclassic population range reaches 1–
2,000.
|
– 400
|
Late Postclassic murals, after AD 1500.
|
1540
|
|
10
|
Seibal
|
Construction of Middle Preclassic (Mamom) plaza and
platform structures, ca. 700±300 BC.
|
– 700
|
Abandoned shortly after AD 900 for unknown causes.
|
905
|
|
65
|
Tayasal
|
Founded by Itzá Maya survivors from the fall
of Chichén Itzá.
|
1221
|
Captured, sacked, and abandoned in AD 1697.
|
1697
|
|
70
|
Tecoh
|
Founded by the Chel noble family of Mayapán.
|
1450
|
Occupied with active government until the Spaniards’
arrival and conquest.
|
1540
|
|
71
|
Tibolon
|
Founded by the only surviving Cocom family member
after the fall of Mayapán.
|
1450
|
As Tecoh, occupied with active government until the
Spaniards’ arrival and conquest.
|
1540
|
|
27
|
Tikal
|
Earliest building Str. 5D-14 in the Northern Acropolis
is constructed at ca. 200 BC, Chuen phase.
|
– 200
|
Last known monument was erected in AD 889.
|
919
|
|
44
|
Toniná
|
Late Classic construction begins ca. AD 495 (9.3.0.0.0).
|
495
|
Stela Monument 101 records the date of AD 909
(10.4.0.0.0) and Toniná’s last leader, Ruler 10.
|
939
|
|
63
|
Tulum
|
Founded by Putun Maya, Postclassic construction begins
ca. AD 1200.
|
1200
|
Occupied with active government until the time of
the Spanish Conquest.
|
1600
|
|
16
|
Uaxactún
|
Earliest public construction (Str. E-VII-sub and
later E Group) dates from Middle Preclassic to Late Preclassic (Chicanel
phase).
|
– 500
|
Abandonment occurred by the Early Postclassic, at
ca. AD 1100.
|
1100
|
|
49
|
Ucanal
|
Late Classic construction dates to ca. AD 550.
|
550
|
Last recorded date is AD 849.
|
879
|
|
68
|
Utatlán/
K'umarcaaj
|
Founded by the Quiché Maya as the fortress
capital of their Highland state.
|
1400
|
Destroyed by Pedro de Alvarado in March 9,
AD 1524.
|
1524
|
|
61
|
Uxmal
|
Public construction begins in early Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 800.
|
800
|
Puuc architecture ends in late Yucatecan Terminal
Classic, ca. AD 1000.
|
1000
|
|
47
|
Xpuhil
|
Chenes and Río Bec public construction beginning
in Late Classic, ca. AD 500.
|
500
|
Building activity ceased by ca. AD 830.
|
830
|
|
32
|
Xultún
|
Monuments erected during initial portion of Early
Classic, ca. AD 250.
|
250
|
Stela 10 dedicated in AD 889 (10.3.0.0.0), Terminal
Classic.
|
919
|
|
53
|
Xunantunich
|
Founded toward the end of the Late Classic
period, ca. AD 650–700.
|
675
|
Last recorded date is AD 849 (10.1.0.0.0) from the
only known dated monument, but ceramic evidence indicates that it remained
politically active until at least AD 1000.
|
1000
|
|
34
|
Yahxá
|
Plazas and acropolis groups are constructed, beginning
in Early Classic, from AD 250, with first known recorded date in AD 357
(8.16.0.0.0).
|
300
|
Last recorded date inscribed during the Late Classic,
AD 793 (9.18.3.0.0).
|
823
|
|
33
|
Yaxchilán
|
Accession of first historical dynastic ruler, Lord
Yat Balam, to the throne in AD 320 (8.14.2.17.6, not yet confirmed).
|
290
|
Downfall of the ruling house marked by the last recorded
date, AD 808 (9.18.17.13.4), when Lord Tah Skull III celebrated rituals.
|
838
|
|
22
|
Yaxuná
|
Large pyramid constructed during Late Preclassic
(Chicanel phase), ca. 200±200 BC.
|
– 300
|
Politically active, probably as a vassal of Chichén
Itzá, until ca. AD 1100.
|
1100
|
|
67
|
Zaculeu
|
Capital of the Mam Maya founded in ca. AD 1250 after
the fall of Chichén Itzá.
|
1250
|
Conquered by the Spaniards in September 1525 after
a prolonged siege, at the end of which the last Mam Maya ruler Caibil-Balam
surrendered to Gonzalo de Alvarado.
|
1525
|