Mesoamerican Civilization: Origins and Discovery

In 1939, Mathew Sterling discovered the Olmec civilization in Veracruz, Mexico
Initially, the discovery was met with skepticism by scholars, but later vindicated by carbon dating and the discovery of the rest of the Stila

The domestication of crops, particularly maize, enabled the shift from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle
Maize was first domesticated in Mexico between 7000 BCE and 6500 BCE
Mesoamerican civilization developed relatively late compared to other early civilizations, but rapidly blossomed around 1500 BCE

Flourished from 1700 BCE to the end of the 1st millennium BCE
Olmecs lived in planned urban settlements with elite residences, workshops, and rich elaborate tombs
La Venta, a major Olmec city, had a planned layout with temple mounds surrounding a main plaza and a large rectangular pyramid
Olmecs were skilled at shaping stone and built monumental architecture, including colossal heads and altars

Olmec art is characterized by realism and dynamism
Colossal heads are iconic Olmec sculptures, carved from basalt and weighing up to 25 tons
Thrones were carved with images of rulers sitting in a cave, which is believed to be an entrance to the supernatural world
Where-Jaguars are a common motif in Olmec art, depicting people transforming into Jaguars
Shamans played a significant role in Olmec religion, interacting with the spiritual world through hallucinogens and transformation into animal spirits

The Olmecs developed the Mesoamerican calendar, which was later adopted by other cultures
The Olmecs had a written numerical system, allowing them to record dates and history
The origins of Mesoamerican writing are debated, with some scholars arguing that the Olmecs were among the first to develop writing

The ballgame was an important religious ritual that recreated mythology and brought communities together
The game symbolized the battle between good and evil and life and death, often culminating in human sacrifice
The Olmecs played the ballgame from a very early time, with evidence of rubber balls dating back to 1500 BCE

Olmec artifacts and sites can be found throughout Mesoamerica, indicating extensive trade and cultural exchange
The Olmecs expanded and traded with contemporaries across Central America, exchanging goods like rubber, cacao, salt, and manufactured goods
The Olmecs left a lasting legacy in Mesoamerican culture, influencing the development of later civilizations like the Maya, Zapotec, and Aztec### Olmec Civilization
Did not spread to areas where civilized life did not take hold, even after 2.5 millennia
Lived beyond the frontier of the Olmec realm, where there were no calendars, writing, science, great art, or States

Some scholars suggest Olmec achievements were influenced by outside forces, such as Africa, China, or Europe
Theories claim African contact with Mesoamerica due to alleged African features on Olmec colossal heads
No substantiating evidence supports these claims, and experts argue that features are also found in indigenous people of the Veracruz region
Mesoamerican pyramids have a distinct evolution in history, separate from Egyptian pyramids

Extremely successful civilization with a huge impact on Mesoamerica
Olmec culture lasted over a thousand years before declining in 400 BCE
Olmec style can be found everywhere in Mesoamerica
Legacy includes spreading the use of the Mesoamerican calendar, religion, ballgame, and urban design

Mathew Sterling discovered the Olmec civilization in Veracruz, Mexico in 1939
Initial skepticism was later vindicated by carbon dating and the discovery of the rest of the Stela

Domestication of crops, particularly maize, enabled the shift from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle
Maize was first domesticated in Mexico between 7000 BCE and 6500 BCE
Mesoamerican civilization developed relatively late compared to other early civilizations, but rapidly blossomed around 1500 BCE

Flourished from 1700 BCE to the end of the 1st millennium BCE
Olmecs lived in planned urban settlements with elite residences, workshops, and rich elaborate tombs
La Venta, a major Olmec city, had a planned layout with temple mounds surrounding a main plaza and a large rectangular pyramid
Olmecs were skilled at shaping stone and built monumental architecture, including colossal heads and altars

Olmec art is characterized by realism and dynamism
Colossal heads are iconic Olmec sculptures, carved from basalt and weighing up to 25 tons
Thrones were carved with images of rulers sitting in a cave, believed to be an entrance to the supernatural world
Where-Jaguars are a common motif in Olmec art, depicting people transforming into Jaguars
Shamans played a significant role in Olmec religion, interacting with the spiritual world through hallucinogens and transformation into animal spirits

Olmecs developed the Mesoamerican calendar, which was later adopted by other cultures
Olmecs had a written numerical system, allowing them to record dates and history
The origins of Mesoamerican writing are debated, with some scholars arguing that the Olmecs were among the first to develop writing

The ballgame was an important religious ritual that recreated mythology and brought communities together
The game symbolized the battle between good and evil and life and death, often culminating in human sacrifice
The Olmecs played the ballgame from a very early time, with evidence of rubber balls dating back to 1500 BCE

Olmec artifacts and sites can be found throughout Mesoamerica, indicating extensive trade and cultural exchange
Olmecs expanded and traded with contemporaries across Central America, exchanging goods like rubber, cacao, salt, and manufactured goods
Olmecs left a lasting legacy in Mesoamerican culture, influencing the development of later civilizations like the Maya, Zapotec, and Aztec

Extremely successful civilization with a huge impact on Mesoamerica
Olmec culture lasted over a thousand years before declining in 400 BCE
Olmec style can be found everywhere in Mesoamerica
Legacy includes spreading the use of the Mesoamerican calendar, religion, ballgame, and urban design

No substantiating evidence supports claims of African, Chinese, or European influence on Olmec achievements
Features on Olmec colossal heads are also found in indigenous people of the Veracruz region
Mesoamerican pyramids have a distinct evolution in history, separate from Egyptian pyramids