Transcript The Olmecs

The Olmecs
…the way they were.
The Olmecs lived in south-central tropical
Mexico. This area is filled with swamps, hills,
and volcanoes. They were present from about
1200 BC to 400 BC. The heartland of the Olmec
civilization is located in what is now know as
the Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco.
The Olmecs lived
near water and
farmed the lands
that were made
fertile by floods.
Many think that the Olmecs
contributed many of their cultural
and religious ideas to later
cultures like the Maya and Aztec.
The Olmec art mainly reflected
religious meaning while some is
more realistic. It was commonly
made with stone or jade.
Their political system was
made up of hierarchical citystate kingdoms that set a
precedent for most other
civilizations that followed.
The Olmecs used calendars
and are thought to be the
first culture in the western
hemisphere that had a form
of writing. They also used
the term “zero”.
The Olmec religion was for the most part
mythological with spirits and gods. They
used large mounds, carved stone heads,
and stone figures during their religious
ceremonies. It also placed emphasis on
human sacrifice.
The Olmecs developed religious
sites surrounded by residential
areas. In these areas they had
elaborate architecture for both
ceremonies and common use.
brought to you by...
Jordan Chatham