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Who were the Olmec?

Updated: 7/31/2023
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9y ago

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The Olmec were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization that thrived in the Gulf Coast region of what is now modern-day Mexico. They are considered one of the earliest and most influential pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas. The Olmec civilization existed from around 1200 BCE to 400 BCE.

Key features of the Olmec civilization include:

Cities and Urban Centers: The Olmec built several urban centers with complex architectural structures and ceremonial sites.

Monumental Sculptures: They are known for their colossal stone sculptures, particularly the iconic colossal heads, which depict distinct individuals with unique features.

Agricultural Practices: The Olmec were skilled farmers who practiced agriculture, cultivating crops such as maize, beans, and squash.

Trade and Commerce: The Olmec engaged in long-distance trade and exchanged goods with other Mesoamerican societies.

Religious and Ceremonial Practices: They had a complex belief system, and their religious ceremonies played a crucial role in their society.

Influence on Later Mesoamerican Civilizations: The Olmec significantly influenced later Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya and the Aztec, through their art, religion, and other aspects of their civilization.

The Olmec civilization eventually declined, and the reasons for their decline are still not entirely clear. Factors such as environmental changes, internal conflicts, and external pressures might have contributed to their eventual downfall. Despite their decline, the Olmec left a lasting impact on the development of Mesoamerican civilizations that followed them.

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Ram Kumar

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8mo ago
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10y ago

The Olmec were an ancient people, believed to be Pre-Columbian, who lived in the tropical areas of that is known today as Tabasco or Veracruz on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.These people lived from about 1200 BCE to 400 BCE.

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An early Mesoamerican civilization. APEX

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9y ago

The "mother culture" of Mesoamerica

Skilled mathematicians who developed calendars

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