HistoryGal
source of image above: http://www.ancientpages.com/2015/02/19/the-olmecs-who-they-were-where-they-came-from-still-remains-a-mystery/
The Olmecs are an ancient precolombian people of MesoAmerica which flourished from about 2500 BC to 500 BC. They were located on the Gulf of Mexico, in the Basin of Mexico and along the Pacific coast (State of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas). It is the oldest known MesoAmerican culture and as such if often referred to as the “mother of MesoAmerica cultures”. For example, the first Olmec city of San Lorenzo appeared and is dated around 1200 BC just at the time when Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians. The first Olmec pyramid built in LaVenta and dated to 1000 BC coincides with the foundation of the Israelite Kingdom in Palestine and 2000 years after the construction of the Cheop pyramid in Egypt. The Olmec civilization declined and disappeared around the V1th century BC while Athens was becoming a city-state.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.reseau-canope.fr/cndpfileadmin/pour-memoire/le-mexique-3000-ans-dhistoire/les-civilisations-mesoamericaines-dans-les-programmes-dadaptation/les-olmeques-la-civilisation-mere-de-la-mesoamerique/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.reseau-canope.fr/cndpfileadmin/pour-memoire/le-mexique-3000-ans-dhistoire/les-civilisations-mesoamericaines-dans-les-programmes-dadaptation/les-olmeques-la-civilisation-mere-de-la-mesoamerique/</a>
MesoAmerica was defined in 1943 by Paul Kirchnoff as a cultural area which extended itself from the central plateau of the North of Mexico to the actual Costa Rica. This area presented common characteristics such as: the use of cacao as a drink, the culture of agave, pyramids construction, a writing system and a sophisticated and precise calendar (solar and ritual) etc. MesoAmerica is often associated to the Aztecs and the Mayas. But there also existed within that area a multitude of other people who gave birth to other original civilizations. These people such as the Toltecs of Tula, the Mixtecs or Zapotecs of Oaxaca, the Tarascs of Michoacan etc. cohabitated and influenced each other mutually. It is only at the end of the 1920’s that a German archeologist named Hermann Beyer gave the mane ” olmeca ” to the different vestiges found so far. This name means in the nahuatl language ” the people from the land of rubber “.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olmèques" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olmèques</a>
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.ancient.eu/article/672/olmec-colossal-stone-heads/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.ancient.eu/article/672/olmec-colossal-stone-heads/</a>
The Olmecs are mostly known for their colossal head statues. When I say colossal I mean huge as they measured almost 3 meters (almost 10 feet) in height, some 4.5 meters (almost 15 feet) in circumference and weigh in as an excess of 8 tons (7250 kilograms). There have been, so far, 17 such heads found (with 10 from San Lorenzo and 4 from LaVenta). As you might see from the statue above, the facial features seem almost african. But there is no evidence of any Africans either in North or Central or South America prior to the birth of Jesus-Christ. So it is just assumed that the Olmecs had a different asthetic sense of style but it is also noted that the features of these heads is still seen today in the facial feature of the residents of modern day Tabasca and Very Cruz. All the heads display certain emotions and are carved from a single basal boulder. Most of these heads have a helmet that was used by Olmecs during battle or during the usual Mesoamerican ballgame. Most archeologists and historians agree to say that the heads were some type of markers of rulership and distributed as such to establish political dominance. The four heads of LaVenta seem to be arranged so that they guard the sacred inner precinct of the city. The last head excavated dates from 1994 (while the first one dates from 1862) and to be noted, no two heads are alike. They each have their distinctive different helmets and each one display different facial expression and slightly different facial features. It is not known who those heads represent but there is a fairly general consensus that they could and probably are different rulers.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="/www.ancient.eu/article/672/olmec-colossal-stone-heads/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">/www.ancient.eu/article/672/olmec-colossal-stone-heads/</a>
Other art forms from the Olmecs included is also representative of the religion of the Olmecs. They did not have as many gods as the Aztecs or Mayas and their religion was both simplistic and complex. The jaguar is omnipresent in most of of the sculptures and even continued through to the Aztecs.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://solarlunar.com/olmec-jaguar-twins/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://solarlunar.com/olmec-jaguar-twins/</a>
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://solarlunar.com/olmec-jaguar-twins/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://solarlunar.com/olmec-jaguar-twins/</a>
The Olmecs shamans are also often depicted as beings being transformed into jaguars.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994</a>
The Olmecs had approximately 10 gods that we know about and even to this day there is debate on them. So here I will just present to you the most and foremost Gods of the Olmec religious pantheon. God 1(aka Earth Monster or Creator) was the god of earth, sun, water and fertility and was often represented as a dragon as seen below.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994</a>
God 11 was the maize or corn God and was often depicted with a maize corn cob sprouting out of his head.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994</a>
God 111 was associated with the sun and the sky and was represented in a bird form combined with reptilian forms.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994</a>
God 1V was the god of rain and was often depicted as a jaguar. God V is the Serpent God and might be the predecessor of the Mayans Kikulkan and the Aztecs Quetzalcoatl gods.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994</a>
God V1 was the Olmec Fish God or Fish Monster and was of course associated with all bodies of water.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/what-makes-olmec-culture-so-unique-and-alluring-007994</a>
The Olmecs were also the first to build pyramids in MesoAmerica. Unfortunately they were not as monumental or well defined as the pyramids of the Maya and Aztecs. But they were still impressive nonetheless. The following pyramid, called “The Great Pyramid “, located in Complex C in LaVenta was made out of about 100,000 cubic meters (3,500 cubic feet) of land fill material and is over 110 feet (34 meters) high. The current shape is probably due to erosion over the years. A survey, done in 1967 does show something underneath that mound but, as of yet, it is only surmised that it might be a tomb, a treasure trove or anything else you can imagine.
There are also in LaVenta a few altars with figures carved into them.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://thatwanderlust.com/colossal-olmec-heads-la-venta/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://thatwanderlust.com/colossal-olmec-heads-la-venta/</a>
There was also found in LaVenta three beautiful floor mosaic one of which is pictured below. These rectangular pavements were each made with between 480-500 blocks of serpentine representing some stylized jaguar mask.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="http://www.bluffton.edu/homepages/facstaff/sullivanm/mexico/olmec/13.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.bluffton.edu/homepages/facstaff/sullivanm/mexico/olmec/13.jpg</a>
Brilliant work by the ancients!
Thank you very much Dee. I am very happy you think that the ancients were so creative and brilliant in their execution of these massive heads. Happy to meet you… You seem to be new here as I have never seen your name here before. Hope you are enjoying Virily just as much as I am…
Very interesting article. Well done.
The picture of the head in the beginning is from an exhibit I installed years ago. It was photographed at the de Young Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco where I was working at the time. They are massive. I’m glad I was looking back and found this article.
Wow, you worked with these huge heads. That must have been quite the experience… Thank you so much for your very nice and endearing comment and up vote. It seems to me I have never seen your name before. So a big welcome to our community and looking forward to reading your articles.
I didn’t work with the heads really. They brought them to a show in 2005. We made a plywood path for the heavy machinery to drive them in. That one is head #5 I think. It was a big deal to have one loaned. It was great to see it. I worked on some big shows at that museum – they were on a roll for quite a while after the “New DeYoung” opened. — Thanks so much for the welcome.
sadly, we know very little about these cultures except that they were by far the most technically advanced of any ancient Americans
Yes I agree, it is too sad that we do not know enough about ancient civilizations especially the ones prior to the most known like the Egyptians, the Incas, the Mayas etc. But maybe we will uncover more… Thank you for your sincere comment, your visit and reading and up vote.
You are most welcome. Thanks again for these interesting and insightful posts
Very informative post. I have not heard of this civilization yet. I want to find out something new about old civilizations.
Well I will try to keep you entertained so that I will keep you visiting and commenting and upvoting for which I thank you very much.
Thank you so much. You are always welcome. I will return your visits ?
I agree, the facial feature look African.
I know, they look African. Some archeologists conjecture that there was some kind of trading between the Olmecs and possibly some of the outlying islands although that would have been difficult considering the ocean separating them but I guess we never know. Thank you for visiting, reading, commenting and up voting my little presentation.
I am sure I am going to learn a bit of history from you 🙂
What a nice comment Dawn. Thank you very much. BTW that is what I am aiming for… teaching and learning even more a little bit of history.
Almost African is part of the writing that makes me curious. Overall this is very interesting because as a mother of Mesoamerica cultures”, this civilization is far from popular as its children.
Wow! This post, as well as your such post, always gives me additional insight and knowledge. Thank you.
There might have been some trading between the Olmecs and some Africans but we have no proof. But I thank you so much for your visit, your insightful comment and up vote.
I will always rely on you here to read the history of the oldest civilizations.
I didn’t know about this civilization, their art is truly beautiful! ?
Yes I agree especially considering the fact that they worked with only axes and reeds and water to make the grooves of the facial features of those enormous heads. Thank you very much for your visit, your reading, your very nice comment and your up vote.
I had never heard of the Olmecs before. Fascinating and well-written post.
I am very happy that you enjoyed my little presentation. There is in fact very little known about the Olmecs. I summarized most of what has been dug out. Thank you so much for dropping in, reading, your amazing comment and your up vote…
I love learning a lot about ancient civilizations. They help to make sense of our past and why things are like the way they are.
I have never heard about this ancient civilization but I did learn about Mayas from the Internet.
There’s still debate about the head statues. The distinct feature, the lips are common in African continent. Some archaeologists and historians say Africans used to trade with natives from America. Well, maybe more digging will tell us which is which.
I enjoyed reading about Olmec.
I am very happy you enjoyed my post. What I meant to say is that there is no documentation that Africans were in Central America before Jesus Christ. As for trade I do not know. Thank you for dropping in and reading and posting such an exciting comment and of course upvoting.
Very interesting history here, complex. Large eyes nose and lips.
Yes they certainly have large eyes and thick lips reminiscent of Africans but they are not apparently African related. I am happy you found my article interesting. Thank you for your visit and taking the time to read and commenting and most of all up voting.
Thats interesting. I would very much like to know about the Byzantine history. The Byzantines have large eyes in their art work as well.
Yet I have a curiosity about it, I once saw an original piece of Byzantine art on the Lake of Galilee or now called Lake Kinneret, in the town of Magdalene.
Well I cannot promise but I will probably eventually write a post on the Byzantine.
Yes the Olmecs had beautiful works of art. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read and your generous comment and also for your upvote.
Too many gods for me to keep up with. These states are amazing in detail. Their expressions do not look happy but great lesson. I do not remember hearing about these people.
Well Carol I think either the Mayas or the Aztecs had a total of almost 1000 gods so I think the Olmecs pantheon is low enough. Thank you for dropping in and reading and commenting and up voting as always…
I have so very much to learn and am learning something new with all of your posts.
Thank you Carol for your compliment/comment. I am happy you learn by reading my posts. That is what I am aiming for. Also a big thanks for your up vote…
I’ve not heard of Olmecs … so this is new and interesting to me!
I am happy you enjoyed your introduction to the Olmecs. Thank you for your visit and reading and wonderful comment and up voting…
what a great post! I remember studying this in school, and later having a chance to visit some of the ruins in Mexico!
I must say I do not remember studying the Olmecs in school; the Aztecs and Incas and Mayas yes but not the Olmecs. I think that visiting Mexico is out of the question for me because of the simple fact that it is too hot and I would just faint from it. But at least I can summarize some of the finds of the web to my heart’s content. I am happy you enjoyed my post, thank you very much for your lovely and engaging comment and up vote.
I grew up in a university town. so we were always getting different subjects from the future teachers!