The earliest civilization in Central America—and possibly the earliest civilization in the Americas—was the Olmec civilization which arose sometime between 1200 and 1000 BC. They originally lived in the Gulf Coast region of southern Mexico, but soon expanded into Guatemala. Olmec society was very simple. It was essentially divided into two groups: the elite group lived in the small urban centers (towns, really) and the common people lived in the rural areas. The Olmecs wer ...

back - home zoom The Olmecs In 1862 a colossal stone head was discovered in the state of Veracruz along the steaming Gulf Coast of Mexico. In the years to come, artifacts from the culture later termed "Olmec" turned up at widespread sites in Mexico and adjacent Central America, with the greatest number of characteristic themes being present in the region of the original discovery. For decades these findings were misinterpreted. The Maya were thought of as the "mother culture ...

Olmec Olmec was a civilization in MesoAmerica and the first complex culture during the years 1200 -1400 b.c. From there it dissolved into many different regional cultures. Originally centered on the Southern Gulf coast of Mexico, its influence was spread from Central Mexico to El Salvador and farther South. In 1200 b.c. power was centered in the civic center of San Lorenzo; in 900 b.c., the power shifted to La Vente, where great public work projects were constructed. Some of the more well known works of the Olmec civilization are the colossal basalt sculptures of human heads and portable jade carvings. This was a remarkable civilization that served as the base of many more civilizations. Jennifer

Tribal Arts Home | Calendar | Feature | Letters | Forum | Auctions | Review | People | Galleries Current Features | Previous Features The Olmec World: Ritual and Rulership 1. Figural Ornament Río Pesquero, Veracruz: 900-600 B.C. Jade, H.: 12.3 cm. Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Wally Zollman by Gillett G. Griffin In 1862 plantation workers in Huaypan, Veracruz, thought that they had found a large overturned iron kettle buried in the ground. Believing that it might hide a c ...

Tribal Arts Home | Calendar | Feature | Letters | Forum | Auctions | Review | People | Galleries Current Features | Previous Features The Olmec World: Ritual and Rulership 1. Figural Ornament Río Pesquero, Veracruz: 900-600 B.C. Jade, H.: 12.3 cm. Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Wally Zollman by Gillett G. Griffin In 1862 plantation workers in Huaypan, Veracruz, thought that they had found a large overturned iron kettle buried in the ground. Believing that it might hide a c ...

Quick Links: Hotels in MexicoCall toll-free in the US/Canada: 1-888-903-9512 The Olmecs The Olmecs were the first of the ancient civilizations of Mexico, notable for their colossal stone sculptures and complex calendar system (later used by the Mayas). They originated in the present day state of Veracruz and flourished between around 1200 to 400 BC. The Olmecs built ceremonial cities, with constructions including pyramids and temples built from mud and earth. They were probably the fir ...