1. Overview of the Civilization
Olmec Civilization
Overview of the Civilization
By Zeina El Attal

2. Who are the Olmecs? first civilization in Mesoamerica
they were formed in BC
influenced Mesoamerican cultures
considered “mother- culture” of mexico
first to use writing

3. Where Were They Located?
The Olmec heartland in Mexico
Near coastal plain in Veracruz and Tabasco
Many monuments and Olmec sites
muddy lowlands and some volcanoes

4. Arts of the Olmecs

5. 17 Colossal Heads represent rulers thick-lipped Negroid features.
helmet= ballplayers
San Lorenzo 10; La Venta 4; Tres Zapotes 2; Rancho la Cobata 1
25-55 tons

6. One of the El Azuzul twins
Jade Mask

7. Theories

8. Theories of Decline declination around 400- 350 BC
population drop in Eastern half
water environment flood
volcanism instead of extinction

9. Theory of African thick-lipped Negroic features big spread noses
some believed they were africans

10. Daily Life of the Olmecs

11. Religion and Mythology
Mayan had same gods and nature
worshipped Jaguars and were jaguars
believed that jaguars are associated with a person
believed rulers were God or associated with God

12. Writing writings on ceramic blocks thoughts of stones
62 symbols on serpentine block
oldest writing; dated back to 900BC

13. Society worked as armers and fisherman
The major crops were maize, beans, and squash.
caught fish in landlocked ponds after flood
domesticated dog and turkey meat for substitution
states

14. Interesting Facts Olmec = “rubber people” in Nahuatl
later Mesoamerican accounts seem to refer to the ancient Olmec as "Tamoanchan".
descendants of the Jaguar
turtles main source of protein
invention of 0 (zero)