1. The Formative Period in Mexico Olmec The people of rubber

2. Olmec World Current consensus first “civilization” of Mexico. Ceremonial centers / urban administration. Village life/maize agriculture. Among finest stone sculptors in history. No written language detected yet. In many ways still a mystery.

3. Key Developments Establish principal elements of all Mesoamerican religions  Duality/cave origin myth/trade First cultivators of cacao “Inventors” of rubber, ritual ballgame, maize based agriculture Strong influence over Mayan political organization and institutions

5. Figure carving Sculpture and ideology

6. Emphasis on infantile and hybrid forms

7. Olmec artistic style exhibits many artistic tradtions.

8. Twin worship and duality in cosmic worldview.

9. Controversy The colossal carved heads are viewed by some as evidence of contact with Africa. The speculation is entirely subjective and unsupported by any solid evidence.

10. The colossal heads Nat geo 1928

11. Refer to Feder Evidence of African contact in Pre- Columbian Mexico or representation of important Olmec ? Critical to understand Olmec traditional artistic motifs and stylization to address these questions.

14. Altar throne displays creation myth of Olmec.

15. Tableau. As found in burial cache. (Eight inches in height).

16. Cranial deformation through cradle boarding.

17. Major sites: La Venta San Lorenzo Laguna de los Cerros

21. Basic chronology Olmec society emerges around 2000 Bc but does not coalesce into “civilization” until 1200 BC. Olmec culture overlaps with Maya and significantly influenced Mayan civilization in architecture, beliefs, art, and diet.