c. 250–900 CEReputable sourceWell documented
Maya Pyramids of the Americas
On the timeline · around c. 250–900 CE · The Ancient World
What happened
Entirely independently of the Old World, the Maya of Mesoamerica built soaring stepped pyramid-temples of limestone, along with palaces, ball courts, and observatories, in cities like Tikal and Palenque. Steep stairways climbed to shrines high above the jungle canopy, often aligned with astronomical events.
Why it matters
Maya architecture is proof that monumental stone building arose more than once in human history. Its pyramids rank among the most striking structures of the ancient world and remain icons of the pre-Columbian Americas.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Maya Architecture · Reputable source
Related timelines
- The Maya Civilization → — The temple-pyramids of the ancient Americas