Significant Mayan Cities

    The site of Kaminaljuyu was first settled in 1000 BCE, but it was not significantly populated until 700 BCE. Around this time, it became an important Mayan city, especially for trade. One of the most important aspects of Kaminaljuyu’s rise in power was it’s access to an abundance of resources; there were large obsidian mines close to the city, and it’s position allowed it to easily trade with the northern, southern and coastal communities of Mesoamerica. Because of this, a huge variety of products were available to buy and sell, including agricultural produce, animal skins, meats, salt, fish and many different minerals. Kaminaljuyu was also noted as a centre for innovation, especially due to it’s remarkable hydraulics systems. However, by 1000 CE, it had been abandoned, after almost two millenniums of occupation.

    Established in 150 BCE, Teotihuacán was an influential Mayan city; at one point, it was the Mayan center for commerce, culture and modernization, overtaking the former capital of Kaminaljuyu. The most famous part of Teotihuacán is the Avenue of the Dead, a legendary road lined with massive stepped pyramids. Amongst these are the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, both of vast importance to the Mayan religion. Teotihuacán was also noted for its immense residential areas, its incredibly large population, and it’s well-preserved murals - a rarity in most Mayan cities.  The city reached it’s peak in 450 CE, but shortly afterwards was destroyed due to internal uprising. In 600 CE, the dynasty controlling the city was overthrown and without it, the city soon collapsed.

    The city of Tikal was created in 300 BCE, but did not begin to truly thrive until 500 BCE, when it began to surpass Teotihuacán. At this point, Tikal was becoming an incredibly powerful city. After the fall of Teotihuacán in 600 BCE, it became the largest city-state in Mesoamerica; mass immigration from Teotihuacán to Tikal occurred, and the city only flourished in consequence. Tikal is known as one of the best understood Mayan cities, as modern archeologists have uncovered numerous tombs of royalty; more so, many of the past kings of the city have been identified, as well as their relations and achievements. However, when Tikal reached peak population, it began to experience problems such as deforestation and depletion of resources. This was followed by a decline in population, and finally, in 899 CE, Tikal was abandoned.

    The construction of Mayapán began in 1263 CE, and was completed in 1283. At this point, Mayapán became a hugely important city for trade, culture and religion. For 200 years, the city-state was ruled by the Cocom family, and the government consisted solely of noble families and royalty. However, in 1441 CE, rebellion began within Mayapán. By 1461 CE, the city had been abandoned, with 16 different groups struggling for political power. However, before this quarrel could be settled, the Spanish repeatedly invaded and then conquered Mesoamerica, wiping out any remains of the city.

    Other significant Mayan cities include Copán, Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum. These cities, amongst others, never acquired as much power and wealth as the aforementioned; their populations were smaller, and their commerce either less active or less diverse, if not both. Despite this, they were still important to the rise of Mayan civilization.