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Early Americas

Early Americas. Early American Geography. Olmec 1500 – 400 B.C. The word OLMEC is derived from the Nahuatl--the language spoken by early Aztecs--meaning either Dwellers of the Rubber Land or Mouth of the Jaguar. http://www.crystalinks.com/olmec.html. Portraits of individual Olmec rulers

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Early Americas

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  1. Early Americas

  2. Early American Geography

  3. Olmec 1500 – 400 B.C. The word OLMEC is derived from the Nahuatl--the language spoken by early Aztecs--meaning either Dwellers of the Rubber Land or Mouth of the Jaguar. http://www.crystalinks.com/olmec.html

  4. Portraits of individual Olmec rulers When a ruler died, his throne was converted into the head 6 ft tall & 5 ft across Symbol on each head for the ruler The basalt was quarried miles from where the heads were found Olmec Stone Heads

  5. Architecture – pyramid mounds Public ceremonial buildings, elite & common housing Religious sites Stone drains – aqueducts (provided drinking water) Aqueducts were also monuments OlmecCity Centers

  6. Olmec Religion • At least ten gods (polytheistic) • Altars were thrones of Olmec rulers • Religious creed read by the sages (wise person) • Shamanism (similar to animism)

  7. Olmec Writing • Hieroglyphic & Syllabic systems of writing • Syllabic system of writing had 13 consonants • Similar to Manding (west african) Why is Olmec writing so similar to Manding?

  8. Used mathematics (including the concept of zero) and astronomy Two cyclical calendars (365-day solar & 260-day) created a 52 year cycle called the Calendar Round Long Count calendar used a starting date as August 13, 3114 B.C. Olmec Calendar

  9. How advanced were the Olmec?(and in what areas)

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