We explain who the Olmecs were and what their characteristics were. We also explain what their religion, economy and more were like.
The Olmec civilization was one of the first civilizations with a stratified social organization.
Who were the Olmecs?
The Olmecs formed the first Mesoamerican civilization that lived in the lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico, between the current states of Veracruz and Tabasco. They were the ancestors of other pre-Columbian cultures such as the Aztec, Toltec and Mayan. It is estimated that they inhabited the region between 1500 BC. C. and 400 BC. c.
What does “Olmec” mean? The name by which they identified themselves is unknown. The word “Olmec” is of Aztec origin and means “inhabitants of the rubber region.” because rubber trees were abundant in that region, from which the Olmecs extracted the latex substance to make rubber.
Although we have little information about the development of the Olmec civilization, its archaeological remains allow us to affirm that It was one of the first societies with a complex political organizationwith different economic strata and a great cultural production. Its great influence reached later American civilizations, and that is why it is known as the “mother culture of Mesoamerica”.
Characteristics of the Olmecs
The Olmecs are considered the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica.
The Olmecs were characterized by:
- be considered as “the mother culture” of the Mesoamerican region.
- Form a centralized political structure and divided into different social strata.
- Be the first Americans to build ceremonial buildings.
- Mastering the technique of carved on stone.
- Perform a ritual or ball game (solid rubber).
- Develop a calendar and writing systemprecursor of hieroglyphics.
- Develop a commercial network throughout the Mesoamerican region.
Geographic location of the Olmec civilization
The Olmec civilization It developed on the plain of the Gulf Coast of Mexicoin the current territories of Veracruz and Tabasco. It was a region of thick, warm and humid tropical forest, crossed by numerous rivers and lagoons on which urban settlements were located.
Olmec economy
La Venta was a center used for ceremonial purposes.
The main economic activities of the Olmec civilization were agriculture, hunting, fishing and trade.Agricultural production focused on corn, beans and other vegetables, such as manioc. This production took place around the small villages where most of the Olmec population lived.
Besides, They built large urban centers (such as San Lorenzo and La Venta) which they used for ceremonial purposes and in which the elite carried out their activities. Olmec buildings and monuments demonstrate the advanced level of complexity and sophistication of their civilization.
According to archaeological evidence, Olmec artifacts (made from volcanic rock and semi-precious stones, such as jade and obsidian) have been found throughout the Mesoamerican region, which would indicate the existence of a wide commercial network.
Religion of the Olmecs
The Olmec religion included offerings and rituals directed to their gods.
The Olmec religion was polytheisticThe Olmecs believed in the existence of different gods, which they related to elements of nature, such as corn (which was the basis of their diet), rain, volcanoes or fire. In addition, they believed in the divinity of some animals, such as the jaguar, the crocodile or the eagle.
It is believed that the different lineages of rulers symbolized their power through the construction of monoliths (monuments with figures of gods carved in stone). In these sculptures, androgynous deities stood out. (figures that had both masculine and feminine characteristics), which differed from each other in that they represented certain elements of nature, such as:
- The deity of corn
- The spirit of rain
- The fish monster
- The Olmec dragon with eyebrows of fire
Religious ceremonies directed to the gods, which included offerings and ritualswere probably led by the ruling elite, the priests, and took place in the ceremonial centers of La Venta and San Lorenzo.
Olmec art and contributions
The sculptures were located in the main Olmec urban centers.
Through art, the Olmecs expressed their beliefs and social order. Today, numerous pieces survive that allow historians to understand the religion and political organization of this civilization.
Olmec art included a wide variety of materials such as jade, clay and basalt (volcanic stone)which were carved to create images of nature and figures of anthropomorphic (human-like) creatures with thick, downturned lips, a flat nose, almond-shaped eyes, and fleshy cheeks.
The most significant contribution that the Olmec culture left are The colossal heads carved in basalt rocks, weighing about 20 tons. These sculptures date from before 900 BC. C. and, so far, about 17 figures have been found. No head is the same: each has a unique headdress, so it is believed that they represent specific individuals.
In order to make these pieces, the Olmecs moved the basalt rocks from the Tuxtlas mountain range of Veracruz to their region (it is still unknown how they carried out these transfers), more than 80 kilometers away. These sculptures were distributed among the main Olmec urban centersand are believed to have represented the power of the ruling families.
From some archaeological findings, it is believed that the Olmecs were the first Americans to develop a hieroglyphic writing system, dating back to 900 BC. C. However, the set of symbols and glyphs has not yet been deciphered. Also, some historians consider that the Olmecs were the first Americans to create a calendar, since they had to use it to organize agriculture and religious ceremonies.
The disappearance of the Olmecs
The Olmec population It decreased sharply between 400 and 350 BC. cAlthough there is no clear evidence as to the reasons for their disappearance, archaeologists estimate that it had to do with the severe environmental changes they faced: flooding, the diversion of the course of rivers in the region and the activity of the Xitle volcano were some of the main threats.
It is believed that these factors decreased the fertility of the land and this situation forced the Olmecs to move their settlements, which caused them a gradual loss of strength and power.
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References
- “The Olmec” on Khan Academy.
- “Where do the Olmecs come from?” (video) on CuriosaMente.
- “Olmec” in Encyclopaedia Britannica.
- “Olmec culture” at the University of Veracruz.
- López Austin, Alfredo; and López Luján, Leonardo (2001): The indigenous past. Mexico City: The College of Mexico.
- Duverger, Christian (1999): Mesoamerica, art and anthropology. Country: CONACULTA-Landucci Editores.
- Adams, Richard (1977): Prehistoric Mesoamerica. Boston: University of Oklahoma Press.