ABSTRACT
The Preclassic and Classic periods are arbitrary temporal divisions set by archaeologists half a century ago, at a time when we knew little about the antiquity of Maya civilization (Willey and Sabloff 1974). These divisions were based on the occurrence of certain traits in Maya culture around the year AD 300. The perception was that, with the appearance of these traits, the Maya had reached full-blown civilization. Tikal Stela 29 carried the earliest Long Count date (AD 292) and provided a convenient fixed, if completely artificial, boundary between the two periods. In addition, it was recognized that at roughly the same time, polychrome-painted ceramics and corbel-vault buildings also made their appearance.
