The Olmecs

ancient civilization · Mesoamerica · Mexico · history

Giant stone heads. The Olmecs carved massive heads from single blocks of stone, some as tall as three grown-ups stacked together. These mysterious heads show us that the Olmecs had incredible skill and strength to move and shape such enormous rocks.

Cradle of civilization. The Olmecs are called one of the cradles of civilization because they were one of the first major organized societies in the Americas. They developed ideas and customs that later civilizations, like the Maya and Aztecs, would copy and build upon.

From jungle to jungle. The Olmecs started at a place called San Lorenzo in Veracruz but moved to another city called La Venta around 1000 BC. Both cities were in hot, wet jungle areas near the coast of Mexico.

Long gone but remembered. The Olmec civilization lasted from about 1200 BC to 400 BC, but then the main cities were abandoned. Even though the Olmecs disappeared, their influence lived on in the cultures that came after them.

Inventors and artists. The Olmecs created incredible art, complex buildings, and probably invented early forms of writing and counting systems. Everything they made showed they were very smart and creative people.