OLMECS(1200 BCE-400 BCE)(18° 06' 12" N, 94° 02' 25" W)THE FIRST ‘MAJOR’

CIVILIZATION IN MEXICO

(OL[D]-MECS)“Mother Civilization” of

Mesoamerica

By Justin, Fedi, Amir, Alex, and Kenny

-The most famousthing that that the Olmecs created was the Stone Heads-These heads resembled their kings-The heads on average were nine feet tall and weighed 20 tons

Sculpture

Sculpture

-Another notable structure is the 100 foot pyramid located in the city of La Venta-Tomb for notable king

OriginsTheorists believe that their origins come from:-The Africans-The Shangs-The Europeans, due to wanting isolation from Old World Diseases-Jaredites-The early river civilizations

Region-Mid-South of Mexico-More precisely it is in the jungles of the southernMexico’s Gulf coast-Being next to the coast helped with the soil and thus agriculture-Current Day states of Tabasco and Veracruz, Mexico

Major cities

● One of the major cities was Zazacatla this city and the people that lived there has been said that they revered the Olmec culture

● Anther major city included San Lorenzo, Tenochtitlan which served as a ritual and political place, the city also housed many and had a sophisticated drainage system,San Lorenzo also served as a notable arhaeological site

● La Venta was another great city where many of the Olmecs inhabitited and much labor specialization took place there

Political/Social structure

They’re made up of two groups the commoners who worked on farms and with the irrigation systems they supplied food for the population and the elite class included of rulers, religious figures, skilled

craftsmen, they lived in small religious centers and cities

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Writing System

-Scholars have had a hard time deciphering the Olmec’s writing system-From the little known historians can say is that the Olmecs utilized picture symbols which was heavily used for later civilizations

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Religious Characteristics

-Polytheistic: archaeologists found ten different gods in Olmec art-Believed in spirits-Fire god, rain god, maize god, jaguar god of the underworld and the Feathered Serpent-Practiced human sacrifice

Economy

-Olmec economy based on agriculture

-Extensive trade contact with other civilizations from the Valley of Mexico (Tlatilco and Chalcatzingo)

-Traded for items such as jadeite and feathers which were used to make religious ornaments

Military

-Military undocumented due to lack of findings of war equipment

-Military life some what depicted in art

Ball Game-Olmecs created the ball game-Tried to hit a ball in a hole-Played with solid rubber ball

-weighed 9 lbs-They double not the ball with their hands

Influences

-Other Mesoamerican civilizations adopted Olmec gods (Snake god & Sky dragon)

-Invented ancient Mesoamerican ballgame

-Jade and Ceramic objects with Olmec imagery spread to other civilizations such as Teopantecuanitlan as well as pottery

-Created Calendar, used by Mayans and Aztecs

Influences

-This is why the Olmecs are known to be the “mother civilization of Mesoamerica”-The Olmecs heavily influenced later civilizations including the Mayans and AztecsThe Olmecs continue to influence the cultures of Mexicans today, like Chipotle

Decline

-Declined aroud 400 BCE-By politics and economic stresses -Many Invaders destroyed the city’s monuments and the cities themselves

Historians

-One must keep in mind that much work done about the Olmecs, by Historians and Archaeologists is primarily based upon assumption from art, picture symbols, buildings, and statues

Works Cited-Minster, C. (n.d.). Ancient Olmec Trade and Economy. Retrieved September 25, 2014.

-Cartwright, M. (n.d.). Olmec Civilization. Retrieved September 25, 2014.

-Dowling, J. (n.d.). Skinner Inc. Retrieved September 25, 2014.

-Olmec Sites and Trade Routes. (n.d.). Retrieved September 25, 2014.

-Mesoamerican ball game court at Monte Albán. (n.d.). Retrieved September 25, 2014.

-Merrick and Mayfair Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved September 25, 2014

-Ancient City Found in Mexico; Shows Olmec Influence. (n.d.). National Geographic. Retrieved September 24, 2014, from

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070126-mexico-olmec.html

-"Olmec Civilization - Crystalinks. (n.d.).Olmec Civilization - Crystalinks. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http://www.crystalinks.com/olmec.htm

-The ancient Olmec Civilization. (n.d.). The ancient Olmec Civilization. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.aztec-history.com/olmec-civilization.html

-La Venta, Mexico. (n.d.). La Venta, Mexico. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/mexicolaventa.htm

-Chipotle Mexican Grill: Gourmet Burritos and Tacos. (n.d.). Chipotle Mexican Grill: Gourmet Burritos and Tacos. Retrieved September 29, 2014, from http://chipotle.com/en-US/default.aspx?type=default

Activity

-Activity: You are going to play a mini Olmec ball game in the class using a hoop and a foam ball-Rule: You cannot touch ball with hands to get it in the hoop-Catch: Every time you or your team scores you have to answer a question given, correctly, to make the point count

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