Olmecs

By: Darian Cook, Drew Wilson, Adam Franckowiak, Dana Sheets

• http://www.svijetokonas.net • http://latinamericanstudies.org • Background: • http://www.jrfeeneydesign.wordpress.com

Date

• The Olmecs developed their culture in 1100 BC and then declined around 400 BC.

• First Indian Civilization known.

The Map

• The Olmec people were Pre-Colombian people who lived in tropical lowlands in south-central Mexico.

• Modern day states the civilization was in contains Veracruz and Tabasco

• By the gulf of Mexico

• http://www.aztec-history.com/olmec-civilization.html

• http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Olmec

• http://www.historicmysteries.com/the-olmecs-and-how-they-vanished-from-history/

Religion

• Olmecs practiced a religion that is still practiced to this day by Africans in the Emali region and Nigeria.

• Religious practice of Thunder worship where an ax is a prominent feature.

• Olmec worshippers placed an emphasis on the significance of children in their religious practice.

Religion Cont.

• Man of Crops- boy who chose to give his life so his people could grow food

• Rain Spirit- male presence; powerful rain god • Jaguar- human/animal form of God • They were a polytheistic group.

• http://essaysbyekowa.com/olmecs.htm • http://essaysbyekowa.com/olmecs.htm

Government

• They were basically a theocracy because they centered their life around the three gods although they didn’t have a preacher.

• There are no recorded rulers but researchers believe there were because of colossal heads and other sculptures

• With their control over materials such as water and monumental stone, they could control their people

• http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Olmec

Decline/Collapse

• Around 400 B.C the great Olmec city of La Venta taking the Olmec classic era with it fell. Because Europeans didn’t explore the region until 2000 years later, no one really knows what how the Olmec empire declined.

• http:www.Latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/The_Olmec/a/The-Decline-Of-The-Olmec-Civilization/html

Agriculture

– Olmecs grew grain such as wheat, barley, and rice. • Foods ranged deer, oceltos, rabbits, and

turtles, beans, avocados, and tree fruits. Because of the abundance of resources Olmecs were able to plot fruit trees.

• Olmecs relied mainly on maize.

Art

• Built huge nine feet tall stone emblems of their Gods and rulers.

• Monumental Statuary • Small jade work• Most of the Olmec artwork is highly styled and

used as iconography reflected of religious meaning.

• http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Olmec

• http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/innovators/vanderwarker.html

http://atlantablackstar.com http://www.xamobox.blogspot.com http://olmec.info

Economy/Trade

• Olmecs traded many foods they grew with far away people in present-day Mexico and Central America.

• Olmecs imported the ritually important jade and other important materials.

• Also traded grains like wheat, barley, rice, beans, avocados, and fruits.

• http://smithsonianmag.com/specialselections/innovators/vanderwalker.html

• http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/olmec

• www.dansjade.blogspot.com

Social Classes

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/olmec

– Developed a calendar 3,113 years Before Christ • Carved twenty-two colossal stone heads in

Southern parts of Mexico• First to build “pyramids” in Mexico • Developed a number system • Developed a writing system

Achievements

• http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/olmec • www.completeselling.com • www.karenswhimsy.com