The Olmecs (/ ˈɒlmɛks, ˈoʊl -/) or Olmec were an early major Mesoamerican civilization, flourishing in the modern-day Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco from roughly 1200 to 400 BC during …

Apr 4, 2018 · The Olmec civilization, located in ancient Mexico, prospered in Pre-Classical (Formative) Mesoamerica from circa 1200 BCE to circa 400 BCE.

Olmec, the first elaborate pre-Columbian civilization of Mesoamerica (c. 1200–400 BCE) and one that is thought to have set many of the fundamental patterns evinced by later American Indian cultures of …

Feb 27, 2024 · The Olmec created massive monuments, including colossal stone heads, thrones, stela (upright slabs), and statues. They may have been the originators of the Mesoamerican ball game, a …

Aug 2, 2025 · Olmec civilization (1600–400 BCE) laid foundations for Mesoamerican culture, transforming floodplains into cities through water management and governance.

Oct 13, 2024 · The Olmec civilization, often referred to as the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica, was one of the earliest and most influential ancient civilizations in the Americas.

Dec 9, 2025 · Olmec society practiced shamanism, ritual sacrifice, and the Mesoamerican ballgame. Deities included jaguar gods, representing fertility, power, and the supernatural.

Jun 10, 2025 · The Olmec civilization thrived between 1200 and 400 BCE in present-day Mexico. Olmec society was advanced, with large public structures, a writing system, and unique artwork. Trade and …

The Olmec were an ancient Pre-Colombian people living in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, roughly in what are the modern-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco on the Isthmus of …

Feb 3, 2022 · The Olmec are considered to be one of the earliest Mesoamerican societies and had a profound impact on later Mesoamerican societies, such as the Maya and the Aztecs.