The main Mayan civilization was in Classical and Post-Classical (or Toltec) Periods.

Around 400 AD buildings arose from the jungles and Mayan civilization began. The Classical Period drew to a close around round 900 AD when certian cities of the earlier Maya culture, particularly at Palenque unexpectedly collapsed. Caracol was abandoned in the year 859 and Tikal was abandoned in the. year 879. Later the Toltecs and other tribes from central Mexico invaded the Mayas and the post classical period was a period of increased warfare and trade. Again the culture began to decline in the late post classical period. The Maya civilization was reduced to small city states by the time the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century.