Ancient Mexican people refers to a variety of cultures that existed in Mexico before the arrival of Europeans. The Olmecs, which had six letters, were one of the earliest civilizations in Mesoamerica, and their culture flourished from 1200-400 BCE. The Olmec, with five letters, was a term used to refer to the people of this civilization. The AZTEC, also with five letters, were a powerful Mesoamerican civilization that dominated much of central Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries. The Maya, with four letters, were another ancient Mesoamerican civilization that developed in the Yucatan Peninsula and flourished from 250-900 CE. The Mayas, with five letters, was the term used to refer to the people of this civilization. The Toltecs, with six letters, were a pre-Columbian people who lived in central Mexico from 900-1168 CE.