 The first indigenous people of the Americas to form a large civilization  The made large buildings and majestic sculptures  They had a stratified society  Most important cities: San Lorenzo and La Venta  They worshipped jaguars  The Olmecs also made pyramids (Egyptians)

Is a big cat, feline in the Panther genus, and is the only Panther species found in the Americas.

 They lived in the Yucatán Peninsula.  Most of their remains are found in jungles (is hard to live in that region)  Many Mayan monuments were lost and have not yet been discovered (because the jungle took over everything).  The Mayas abandoned some of their cities around 900 AD.

 Pre-classic Period: from 2500 BC to 250 AD  Post- Classic Period: from 900 AD to 1519 AD  Classic Period: From 250 AD to 900 AD  The most successful time  Palenque, Chichén Itzá, Tikal (big cities)  Apogee (highest point of development)

 The Mayan built a lot of pyramids.  They used the slaves to move rocks.  The main crop was the maize or corn. They used the technique of slash and burn  The Mayas developed irrigation systems