The Preclassic Maya period, also known as the Formative period, lasted from around 2000 BCE to 250 CE. During this time, the Maya civilization began to develop agriculture, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements. Villages grew into larger communities, and early forms of Maya writing and art emerged. Key sites from the Preclassic period include Nakbé and El Mirador, where impressive architecture, such as pyramids and plazas, was constructed. The social structure became more complex, with the rise of political leaders and religious practices. This period laid the foundation for the later Classic Maya civilization.