Itzá

Itzá (ētsä'), Maya of Yucatán (Mexico) and Petén (Guatemala). Probable founders of Chichén Itzá, which they occupied at various times from c.514 to 1194, they moved (1450?) S from Campeche to Lake Petén. Here, in spite of sporadic attempts by the Spanish to convert or subdue them after the visit of Cortés in 1525, the Itzá (the last strong, independent Mayan tribe) remained until driven from their capital, Tayasal, in 1697.