The Americas - The Olmecs

What I Learned

A map showing the geographic location of the Olmecs.

The Olmecs were the 1st dominant culture in Southern Mexico and the first major civilization in the whole of Mexico. They existed from about 2000 B.C. to 300 B.C. when they came to a sudden, violent unknown end. The Olmecs developed hieroglyphic writing and the first calendar in the Western Hemisphere. They made realistic artwork, played a Mesoamerican version of a ballgame, and the jaguar was the symbol of their chief deity. They were also the first city-based society with a temple as the focus of the city. The ceremony center of the city consisted of the great pyramid of the earth, a ball court, smaller pyramids, burial grounds, and giant stone heads. 

The stone head carvings are believed to represent a ruler. They were sculpted from basalt boulders and weighed 40-50 tons.

This shows just how large they really are.

Olmec artwork consisted of delicate carvings of jade, rock crystal, and other less valuable stones. They made things such as axe heads, mural paintings, pottery, masks, and other decorative objects. 

Fish vessel

Jade Olmec face mask

Olmec elites lived in highly decorated homes and wore elegant jewelry and clothing while commoners lived in stick and mud "houses," but at least food sources were reliable for the commoners.

The Olmecs were polytheistic, meaning they believed in multiple deities. They became close to the gods through bloodletting and human sacrifices. They also had shamans, people who believed they had a direct contact to a deity, who gave advice about agriculture and periodic rain to the leaders. Religious art included small ceramic figures, stone carvings, and utilitarian pots.

My Favorite Olmec Art

A bird vessel.

One of the Olmec's giant head carvings.

A mosaic at the city of La Venta.

Current Applications of Olmec Design

An Olmec head shows up in a record company's logo.

Olmec head inspired fountain at Playa del Carmen.

Dolce & Gabbana shirt with an Olmec-like design.