The
Preclassic period in
Maya history stretches from the beginning of permanent village life ca. 1000 B.C. until the advent of the Classic Period ca. 250 AD, and is subdivided into Early (prior to 1000 B.C.), Middle (1000-400 B.C.), and Late (400 B.C.- 250 A.D.). Major archaeological sites of this period include
Nakbe,
Uaxactun,
Seibal,
San Bartolo,
Cival, and
El Mirador in
Guatemala;
Cahal Pech, and
Cerros in
Belize; and
Calakmul, Yaxnohcah, Ichkabal,
Komchen, and Xocnaceh in
Mexico.