Permukiman ini mencapai puncak kejayaannya dari tahun 850 SM hingga 100 SM. Beberapa arkeolog menduga bahwa Izapa sudah dihuni dari tahun 1500 SM, dan jika benar maka situs ini setua situs Olmek di San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán dan La Venta.[1][2] Izapa masih diduduki hingga zaman Pascaklasik Awal sekitar tahun 1200 M.
Akibat berlimpahnya prasasti dan monumen Maya di Izapa, istilah "langgam Izapa" mengacu kepada peninggalan-peninggalan serupa di luar wilayah ini, termasuk peninggalan-peninggalan di Takalik Abaj dan Kaminaljuyu.[3]
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