Timeline by Harlyn Forgette

Cahokia 700 CE-1500 CE

hforgett75 — 2025-09-24 16:53:13 UTC

Large towns controlled villages. They were a large trading city that utilized the river and canoes to trade maize, beans, and squash. They had enormous earthen mounds, which they used for religious centers, where they practiced animism. Cahokia is located in modern day Illinois right after crossing the Mississippi River from Missouri.

Chaco 800 CE – 1200 CE

2025-09-24 16:54:29 UTC

Chaco was the center of civilization that had large pueblo buildings. Chaco had very distinctive architecture. It was a center for trading, administration, and ceremonial events. Chaco is sometimes called the Machu Picchu of North America. It was located in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico. Trade was a very large part of this civilization.

Mesa Verde – 1190 CE – 1300 CE

hforgett75 — 2025-09-24 16:54:51 UTC

Mesa Verde grew squash, corn, and beans on top of the mesa. They started to build multistory structures using sandstone bricks and mortar. Mesa Verde was located in modern day Colorado.

Aztec – 1325 CE – 1521 CE

hforgett75 — 2025-09-24 16:55:05 UTC

Located in the city of Tenochtitlan they grew many crops on floating gardens like squash, beans, and corn. They were polytheistic, known for their human sacrifices had a powerful king that kept them in line. They used force and allied with neighboring cities to gain power.

Maya –1500 BCE –1539 CE

hforgett75 — 2025-09-24 16:55:16 UTC

Located in Central America, they practice slash and burn agriculture. They were polytheistic and had step pyramids for the Gods. They developed a calendar, studied math, astronomy, and had the most advanced writing system.

Inca – 1230 CE to 1533 CE

hforgett75 — 2025-09-24 16:55:44 UTC

Located in Western South America, they built the Micha Pichu and had over 2,500 miles at their height. They used the terracing to grow potatoes and over root crops, allowing them to have a variety of food. They used quipu to count and keep records and send messages. They ruled mostly through military power and the elite rulers. They also used taxes, storehouses, and connecting roads.