-
2500 BCE
The History of Olmec Food
At 2500 BC., the Olmecs domesticated, corn (or maize), sunflower, and manocc. They eventually domesticating beans. The land was very fertile making it better to grow crops.They also domesticated dog, white-tailed deer, migratory birds, fish, turtles, and coastal shellfish for protein. These were important resources which they relied on for food. There is proof that they were the first to use chocolate and eat it! -
Period: 2000 BCE to 900 BCE
A Start of Culture
The Early Formative Period occurred between 2000-900 BC. and was a time when the Olmecs really developed a culture. They built pyramids and temples. Furthermore, they created a religion with supernatural entities. These supernatural entities were foundin their pottery and their artwork. They also created a social pyramid at this time period. The Formative Period was a period of building a true culture of the Olmec civilization. -
1600 BCE
The Journey to Home
In 1600 B.C.E., the Olmecs came to Mexico. There is evidence that the Olmecs are from the Xia dynasty of China. It’s also believed that they came by walking over the Bering Strait which is the land between Russia and Alaska. The Bering Strait is mostly ocean now, but it was believed to be frozen over at the time, so people could walk over it. Then they just simply walking down to where Mexico is now. -
1500 BCE
Winners are Livers and Losers are Dyers
In 1500 BC., The Olmec held the first Mesoamerica ball game and also created it. Many other Mesoamerican civilizations, (like the Mayans and the Aztecs) adopted this game and modified it to make it their own. Only the wealthy, upper class could afford the game. Usually this was a bloody game that resulted in serious injuries and even deaths. When a team lost they were sacrificed; usually the losing team were the captured people from warfare who were made to play an unfair, rigged game. -
1200 BCE
The Journey to Home
In 1200 B.C.E., the Olmecs came to Mexico. There is evidence that the Olmecs are from the Xia dynasty of China. It’s also believed that they came by walking over the Bering Strait which is the land between Russia and Alaska. The Bering Strait is mostly ocean now, but it was believed to be frozen over at the time, so people could walk over it. Then they just simply walking down to where Mexico is now. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 900 BCE
A Growing Culture
The Early Formative Period which is 2000-900 BC. was a time when the Olmecs really developed a culture. They built pyramids and temples. Furthermore,they created a religion with supernatural entities. These supernatural entities were in their pottery and their artwork. They also created a social pyramid at this time period. The Formative Period was a period of building a true culture of the Olmec civilization. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 300 BCE
One of the First
The Olmecs were the first ordered civilization in the Americas. The Olmecs were influential to the later civilizations of the Mayans and Aztecs. Some scholars even believed that the Olmecs were the ancestors of the Mayans and the Aztecs. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 900 BCE
A Time of Prosperity
During the time period 1200-900 B.C.E. was a time of wealth and growth for the Olmecs. They were able to control trading which caused the growth and wealth for the Olmecs. The Olmecs were able to improve their economy and their population grew to 18,000. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 900 BCE
A Time of Prosperity
During the time period 1200-900 B.C.E. was a time of wealth and growth for the Olmecs. They were able to control trading which caused the growth and wealth for the Olmecs. The Olmecs were able to improve their economy and their population grew to 18,000. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 300 BCE
Olmecs as an Influence
The Olmecs were the first ordered civilization in the Americas. The Olmecs were influential to the later civilizations of the Mayans and Aztecs. Some scholars even believed that the Olmecs were the ancestors of the Mayans and the Aztecs. -
Period: 900 BCE to 500
No Worries About Food
In the Middle Formative Period the Olmec grew from an agricultural society into a complex society. This newly complex society was organized around politics and religion. The Olmecs were able to grow in complexity due to surpluses of food. During this time period, monumental architecture was placed around to form a rectangular plaza. -
Period: 500 BCE to 200 BCE
Turing Into A Devolved Civilization
The Olmecs transitioned into an urban society in the Late Formative Period. Irrigation systems for crops made this transition possible. Writings and calendrical information appeared on monuments and in inscriptions. These writings and calendars are seen by archaeologist as characteristics of civilization. -
400 BCE
The Olmecs Mysteriously Disappear
By 400 BCE. the Olmecs disappeared. There isn't enough evidence to blame war, drought, disease, or other causes for their disappearance. There are just many theories why they disappeared. There is one theory that the land changed and affected the fertility of the land making them have to move somewhere else. Either way, they still don’t know why the Olmecs disappeared and their disappearance remains a mystery. -
The Discovery of the Mysterious Sculptures.
Jose Maria Melgar y Serrano was the first to find a sculpted head of the Olmecs around Tres Zapotes. Other people after him started finding more sculptures of heads made by the Olmecs. There are great mysteries about these head sculptures. Usually this kind of artwork has writing on it, telling us who this person is, what they stood for, and what they did. However, the Olmecs did not put writing on these huge sculptures. That's just one great mystery of these huge heads. -
The Discovery of Mysterious Sculptures
Jose Maria Melgar y Serrano was the first to find a sculpted head of the Olmecs around Tres Zapotes. Other people after him started finding more sculptures of heads made by the Olmecs. There are great mysteries about these head sculptures. Usually this kind of artwork has writing on it, telling us who this person is, what they stood for, and what they did. However, the Olmecs did not put writing on these huge sculptures. That is just one of the many mysteries of these gigantic heads. -
The Firsts?
In 1939, they found evidence that the Olmecs might have been the first to invent long count calendars instead of the Mayans. The Olmec, like the Mayans, also use zero in their calendar system. The zero was a placeholder and the base of their calendar. Having zero in the Olmec civilization is important because it represents that they knew time was linear.
