Civilization · c. 1500 – 400 BCE
Olmec Civilization
Mesoamerica's 'mother culture'.
Capital: San Lorenzo, La Venta · Central America & Caribbean
Overview
The Olmecs of the Gulf Coast produced Mesoamerica's earliest monumental art, colossal basalt heads, and religious and calendar concepts that later Maya and Aztec civilizations would inherit.
Timeline
- c. 1500 BCEEmergence of Olmec culture
- c. 1200 – 900 BCESan Lorenzo phase
- c. 900 – 400 BCELa Venta phase
Rulers
Named rulers not attested
Wars & conflicts
- Little direct evidence
Architecture
Earthen pyramid at La Venta, ceremonial precincts.
Religion
Were-jaguar deity; likely precursors of later Mesoamerican pantheons.
Economy
Maize agriculture, obsidian and jade trade.
Technology
Working of jade and basalt without metal tools; possible early writing.
Art
Colossal stone heads (up to 3.4 m), jade celts, ceremonial masks.
Influence
Foundational to Maya, Zapotec and Aztec religion, calendrics and art.
Decline
Sites abandoned by c. 400 BCE for unclear reasons.
Key sites
- San Lorenzo
- La Venta
- Tres Zapotes