Olmec Culture

Olmec Civilization

(1500 BCE to about 400 BCE)

The ancient Olmec civilization is now considered to be one of the earliest great civilizations in Mesoamerica. The ancient Olmec civilization is believed to have been centred around the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico area further south east than the heart of the Aztec empire.

The Olmec were an agricultural civilization, they used a technique in which first they cultivate their crops and after the harvest, they burn the remains in such a way they could plant again and that the ashes would work as a fertilizer. Corn was one of their main products of consumption and of harvest; it was present in their everyday meals. Its importance was so great that they even had a god named Homshuk who represented the corn (see figure 1). The Olmec had also fishing as one of their main activities. As they settled near the coast it was easier for them to gather fish, shellfish and other sea products which were also present in their meals.

The Olmec were one of the first Mesoamerican cultures to settle in small towns or villages which were located in what is now La Venta and San Lorenzo. However, they were just used as shelter and in some particular cases they had also some small orchard which provided them with some of their main consuming vegetables. Their homes had some kind of basement that was used as food storage (figure 2). The smallest houses were inhabited by a worker family, while the biggest houses were owned by the wealthier people like their priests or their governors. One of the Olmec main characteristic was their ability for architecture and engineering. This can be noted in their houses, ceremonial centers and in their pyramids like the one in La Venta which was meant to represent a mountain (figure 3).

This culture had a well-established social structure. As most Mesoamericans, their priest were the head of the complete village. Also, there were families who had the control over the rest of the citizens.

The Olmec were very talented artists whose skill and aesthetics are still admired today. They are best known for their colossal heads: these massive stone heads, thought to represent rulers, stand several feet high and weigh many tons. The Olmecs also made massive stone thrones: squarish blocks, carved on the sides, which were evidently used for rulers to sit or stand upon. The Olmecs made large and small sculptures, some of which are very significant. 

Stefan Lovgren (2007) Ancient City Found in Mexico; Shows Olmec Influence (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070126-mexico-olmec.html)

Coe, Michael D. (1968). America's First Civilization: Discovering the Olmec. New York: The Smithsonian Library.