They were linked together because The Olmec was usually called mother-culture
Olmec
Olmec was the "mother" culture of Mesoamerica. Many aspects of their culture such as gods, glyphic writing and artistic forms became parts of later civilizations such as the Maya and Aztecs.
They were both like mother cultures for civilizations that came after them.
They are called mother civilization because the invented writing.
It appears that because many groups of Native peoples learned from the Olmec civilization and they ways of life, building, education and establishment of a "civilization , they were called the "mother civilization" of the Americas.
It is because they were the first ones who invented writing.
the Olmec culture spread by trade centerso
The Olmec as well as Teotihuacans are considered as such.
olmec
:) smile
the Olmec culture spread by trade centerso