Region

Americas

Wari Empire: The First Andean Empire Before the Inca

Wari created the first large multi-regional state in the Andes, whose roads, administration and record-keeping anticipated the Inca Empire.

c. 600–1000 · 6 min read

Middle Ages

Calakmul and the Snake Kingdom: Great Rival of Tikal

The Snake kingdom dominated much of the Classic Maya lowlands until its defeat by Tikal in 695 began a long decline.

c. 600–750 · 6 min read

Middle Ages

Chichen Itza: History of the Great Maya-Toltec City

Chichen Itza became the dominant city of the northern Maya lowlands before declining, while remaining a major pilgrimage site.

c. 600–1200 · 8 min read

Middle Ages

Pakal the Great of Palenque: The Maya King and His Tomb

Pakal restored Palenque after foreign defeats and made it one of the great Maya cities; his tomb became one of the most famous finds in American archaeology.

615–683 · 8 min read

Middle Ages

Cacaxtla Murals: Battle Scenes in Epiclassic Mexico

The murals revealed close artistic links between central Mexico and the Maya world in the centuries after Teotihuacan's fall.

c. 650–900 · 5 min read

Middle Ages

Xochicalco: The Hilltop City After Teotihuacan's Fall

Xochicalco became one of the leading Epiclassic cities of central Mexico before it was burned and abandoned around 900.

c. 650–900 · 6 min read

Middle Ages

Lady Six Sky: The Warrior Queen of Naranjo (682)

A foreign-born princess re-established Naranjo's royal line, and under her and her son the city fought its way back to regional power.

682 · 5 min read

Middle Ages

Jasaw Chan K'awiil and Tikal's Victory Over Calakmul (695)

Tikal defeated Calakmul, broke the Snake dynasty's dominance over the central Maya lowlands and began a century of renewed power and building.

695 · 5 min read

Middle Ages

Uxmal: The Puuc Maya City of the Pyramid of the Magician

Uxmal became the dominant city of the Puuc region and produced some of the finest architecture of the Maya world before it declined in the 10th century.

c. 700–1000 · 6 min read