The Olmec civilization was the first in Mesoamerica, located along the Gulf Coast around 1200 BC. They built earthen pyramids and traded goods widely. Though the Olmec declined by 400 BC, their influence lived on, shaping later cultures like the Maya through art, cities, and calendars.

1. Mesoamerican CivilizationsMesoamerican Civilizations

2. Possible Migration RoutePossible Migration Route

3. The OlmecsThe Olmecs
Mesoamerica’s Mother Culture

4. I. Early Mesoamerican
civilizations
A. The Olmec
(means “rubber
people” in
Nahuatl) created
the Americas’
first civilization,
which in turn
influenced later
civilizations

5. 1. Olmec beginnings
a. Civilization began in Mesoamerica
around 1200 B.C
b. Mesoamerica—central Mexico to
northern Honduras
c. Olmecs were the “mother culture” of
Mesoamerica
d. Olmecs—people who created earliest
civilization in southern Mexico

6. Olmec HeartlandOlmec Heartland

7. 2. The rise of Olmec
civilization
a. First sign of Olmec
culture: massive (44
tons) sculpture of
head found in 1860
(may have
represented
particular Olmec
rulers)
b. Olmec lived along the
Gulf Coast of Mexico
until 400 B.C.

8. 3. Gulf Coast geography
a. Area hot and humid, with
swamps, jungles, thick
vegetation
b. Heavy rainfalls led to
flooding
c. Area has resources: salt, tar,
clay for pottery, wood,
rubber, stone
d. Rivers provided
transportation, fertile land
for farming
e. San Lorenzo, oldest Olmec
site, dates to 1150 B.C.

9. 4. Olmecs Society
a. San Lorenzo had earthen mounds, pyramids,
sculptures
b. La Venta had 100-foot-high mound of clay and
earth, possibly a tomb
c. Olmec probably worshipped nature gods,
including jaguar spirit (believed a woman
procreated with a jaguar God, which then
created a man-jaguar race)

10. 5. Trade and
Commerce
a. Olmec trade
spanned north and
south!!!
b. Trade spread Olmec
influence
6. Decline of the Olmec
a. Reasons for Olmec
collapse—by 400
B.C.—not known
(outsie invaders;
destroyed
monuments upon
death of rulers)

11. B. The early Mesoamericans’ legacy
1. The Olmec left their mark
a. Olmec art and construction affected
future cultures like the Maya
b. Olmec developed ceremonial centers,
ritual ball games, and ruling class
c. Later cultures in Mesoamerica adopted
Olmec ways
1) Influenced Mayan writing system
2) Origin of the Mayan calendar system

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