Historical and cultural region that covers what is central and south Mexico and most of central America.

The chronology of Mesoamerica is divided as such:
The Paleo-Indian or Lithic (first human habitation until 3500 BCE)

the Archaic (before 2600 BCE)

the middle pre-classic mesoamerica or Formative (2500 BCE – 250 CE)
Early Preclassic 2000–1000 BCE
Middle pre-classic mesoamerica 950–400 BCE
Late Preclassic 400 BCE–250 CE

the Classic (250–900 CE)
Early Classic 250–600 CE
Late Classic 600–900 CE
Terminal Classic Mesoamerica 800–900/1000 CE

the Postclassic (900–1521 CE)
Early Postclassic 900–1200 CE
Late Postclassic 1200–1521 CE

the post European contact Colonial Period (1521–1821)

the Postcolonial (1821–present)