In 2000 BC farms and villages were formed, and 500 years later Olmec formed, from which the Maya adopted a lot of their culture. In 700 BC the Maya developed their writing, and only 100 years later big buildings were built in El Mirador, and there was more farming since the Maya were sustaining larger populations. Tikal formed, which would later become a major city that would peak in the classic period. 400 BC The Maya was carved into stone, and in 300 BC the Maya became a monarchy. In 100 BC Teotihuacan, a city-state, was formed in the Valley of Mexico and molded Maya culture for years. The first Maya pyramids were created during this time too. 

Classic

Teotihuacan ruled the Maya highlands in 400 AD, and in 560 AD Tikal fell, getting beaten by other city-states. 40 years later, Teotihuacan stopped influencing Mayan culture, and became less powerful, while Caracol became very powerful. In 900 AD the southern lowland cities caved in, and the Maya left Teotihuacan desolate.

Post Classic

In 925 AD Chichen Itza gained the most power and ruled for 200 years before it declined and was abandoned in 1250 AD. Around this time Mayapan became the capital city, then in 1441 AD, people fought Mayapan and it was abandoned. 

Colonial

In 1517 AD The Spanish conquistador Hernández de  Córdoba arrived, and then in 1541 AD, the Spanish conquered most of the land the Maya used to own.