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The Olmec Civilization

Discover the rise of the Olmec civilization, where rulers were religious leaders and cities emerged from chiefdoms. Explore their agricultural practices, artistic achievements, and technological advancements, including the first written language in the Americas. Uncover the rich religious beliefs, social structure, and economic activities that defined the Olmec society. Journey through time to understand the impact of this ancient civilization on Mesoamerica's cultural development.

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The Olmec Civilization

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  1. The Olmec Civilization By: Kari Seres, Ginger Eastman, Gabby Young, Amy Brennan Date: September 12th, 2012 6th hour

  2. Political • The cities of OlmecCivilization arose from competing chiefdoms • The Olmec Civilization is sometimes referred to as “The mother civilization of Mesoamerica.” • Ruler’s of the villages doubled as Religious leaders

  3. Interactions with the Environment • The Olmec people used agriculture to farm maize, beans, and squash (the three sisters). • They also built mounds, pyramids, and temples. • The Olmec Civilization was located in Mesoamerica/Latin America

  4. Map of Olmec Civilization

  5. Where the Olmec Civilization would be located today.

  6. Religion/Belief System • Olmec people took part in mound building, artistic styles, urban planning, games, ritual sacrifice, and bloodletting by their leaders. • They also had many ceremonial centers in which consisted of elaborately decorated temples, altars, pyramids, and tombs. • Their rulers’ tombs were more intricate than those of the regular class citizens. • Religious leaders were also the leaders of the village/community

  7. Arts and Sciences • By 900 B.C.E. The Olmec created the first written language in the Americas • They also played a game that involved rubber ball • Boulder statues- including enormous basalt carved heads that are believed to be replicated after certain rulers.

  8. One of the head statues from the Olmec Civilization.

  9. These head statues weigh about 20 tons and vary of heights and widths from 6-10 feet.

  10. Technology • Technologies of the Olmec Civilization included their writing, farming techniques, and buildings/structures • The Olmec are known to be responsible for many of the “first” technologies in the Americas such as: • Writing • Epigraphy • Zero • The Mesoamerican calendar • The Mesoamerican Ball-game

  11. Olmec Writing piece

  12. This is a picture of a Mesoamerican ball game court.

  13. Economic • The Olmec had an agricultural economy mainly based on the crops of maize corn, beans, and squash. • The Olmec also had a network of long distance trade. They have been believed to import/export mass amounts of sea shell and greenstone.

  14. Social • Homes of Olmec villagers consisted of a house, a storage pit (sometimes more than one), and a nearby garden. • As far as social classes go mainly the population was made up of a Middle Class, who were mostly farmers. The other small percentage were the High Class, who were artisans, rulers, and priests, usually having a religious role.

  15. Bibliography • <http://msrego.pbworks.com/w/page/11687115/Olmec%20Economy>. • Olmec Civilization. 12 September 2012 <http://www.crystalinks.com/olmec.html>. • Strayer, Robert. Ways of the World. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011.

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