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Olmec

Olmec. Olmec Civilization. Olmec Civilization. Mesoamerica’s “mother culture” 1200 B.C.E. in southern Mexico near the Gulf Coast hot & humid and covered with swamps and jungle 100 in of rainfall flooding Abundant deposits of salt, tar, clay, rubber, and stone. Olmec Civilization.

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Olmec

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  1. Olmec

  2. Olmec Civilization

  3. Olmec Civilization • Mesoamerica’s “mother culture” • 1200 B.C.E. in southern Mexico near the Gulf Coast • hot & humid and covered with swamps and jungle • 100 in of rainfall • flooding • Abundant deposits of salt, tar, clay, rubber, and stone

  4. Olmec Civilization • Rivers= routes for transportation • Flood plains =fertile land for farming • Built thriving communities – oldest site is San Lorenzo 1150 B.C. • San Lorenzo had large mounds, courtyards, pyramids and stone monuments

  5. Olmec Civilization • Buildings/Monuments included columns, altars, sculpted heads (heads may have represented particular rulers and could weigh as much as 44 tons). • Question: How could the Olmec transport such heavy monuments without use of the wheel?

  6. Olmec prayed to a variety of nature gods (animist) Worshipped the jaguar spirit a powerful rain god Others believe there were several jaguar gods that represented the earth, fertility, and maize (major crop) Olmec Civilization

  7. Olmec Civilization

  8. Olmec Civilization • Ceremonial centers where important rituals were performed • Prosperous people that directed a large trading network throughout Mesoamerica • Goods traveled as far as Mexico City to the north and Honduras to the south • Iron ore and stones transported from faraway regions

  9. Olmec Civilization • Olmec Civilization collapsed • Some experts speculate that outside invaders caused the destruction • Others believe that the Olmec may have destroyed their own monuments upon death of their rulers

  10. Olmec Contributions • Influenced the Maya • Art styles and jaguar motif seen in pottery and sculpture • Copied urban design • Ball games • No evidence of writing but stone symbols related to glyphs

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