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were supplemented by hunting, fishing and foraging, and though there's no evidence of
structures larger than dwellings during the period, ceramics were produced; pottery
found at Cuello , near Orange Walk, dates from around 1000 BC - among the earliest
in the Maya lowlands. Elsewhere in Mesoamerica, the emergence of the great Olmec
civilization was to have a far-reaching impact, originating in the coastal plain of
Veracruz. Often regarded as the true ancestors of Maya culture, the Olmecs developed
a complex polytheistic religion, a writing system and a calendar known as the “long
count”, later adopted by the Maya.
By the Middle Preclassic (1000 BC-300 BC) there was a substantial increase in
population - evidence of numerous settlements can be found from southern
Guatemala to northern Yucatán, including almost all of Belize, in particular the main
river valleys. All the settlements produced Mamóm-style red or orange monochrome
pottery and stone metates for grinding corn, and it's thought that a common Maya
language was spoken throughout the area. A universal belief system, practised from a
very early date, may have provided the stimulus and social cohesion to build bigger
towns. As in all early agricultural communities, food surpluses would have eventually
freed some people to become seers, priests and astronomers. By 750 BC Nakbé, in
northern Petén, was a large city, perhaps the first one in the Maya world, evidence that
the Maya had progressed far beyond a simple peasant society.
The explosion in Maya architecture, culture and population came in the Late
Preclassic (300 BC-250 AD), when Chicanel culture dominated the Maya world. The
famous Maya corbelled arch (without a keystone, but consisting of two sides, each with
stones overlapping until they eventually met, thus able to span only a narrow gap) was
developed, and hugely ambitious large pyramids with elaborate temples were built at
Tikal, El Mirador and Río Azul in Petén. In northern Belize, Cuello, Nohmul,
Lamanai and Cerros were the great centres, all featuring major examples of public
architecture. Lamanai and Cerros controlled trade routes right through the Classic and
into the Postclassic periods. The Belize River valley was fully settled, with local centres
such as Cahal Pech, Pacbitún and El Pilar consolidating their power.
The question of what sparked this phase of rapid development is a subject of much
debate. Most archeologists agree that the catalyst was the Olmec culture, which the
Maya adopted and adapted, developing complex administrative mechanisms to feed
and control the growing population. A hierarchical structure evolved, with ultimate
military and spiritual power vested in Maya kings, who established ruling dynasties and
communicated with the gods by spilling their own blood at propitious festivals.
Building the Maya cities
The start of the greatest phase of Maya achievement, the Early Classic period (250
AD-600 AD), is marked by the introduction of both the long count calendar and a
recognizable form of writing, which took place before the fourth century AD. The
cultural influence of the Olmecs was replaced by that of Teotihuacán , which dominated
central Mexico during the early Classic period. Armed merchants spread the power of
Teotihuacán as far as Yucatán, Petén and Belize, bringing new styles of ceramics and
alternative religious beliefs. While complete subjugation remained unlikely, in around
400 AD the overwhelming power of Teotihuacán did radically alter Maya life: in Petén,
Tikal 's rise was helped by close links with Teotihuacán, and both cities prospered
4500 BC
2000 BC-250 AD
250 AD
Proto-Maya period:
First Mayan-speaking
groups settle in western
Guatemala
Preclassic or Formative period:
Maya begin building centres which
develop into great cities, including
Lamanai and Cahal Pech
Classic period: Maya culture
reaches its height, with use of
long count calendar; Caracol is
Belize's largest Maya city
 
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