What is the Olmec civilization known for?

The Olmec civilization is known for being the first great Mesoamerican culture. It is famous for its monumental sacred complexes, massive stone head sculptures, ball games, the drinking of chocolate, and animal gods.

What are five facts about the Olmec civilization?

Five facts about the Olmec civilization are: They sculpted gigantic stone heads, they developed the ball game that many later Mesoamerican cultures played, the first pyramid in Mesoamerica was built at the Olmec site of La Venta, Olmec art shows many hybrid creatures such as human-jaguars, and one of the favourite materials for artists was jade.

What helped the Olmec become the first great Mesoamerican civilization?

Several factors helped the Olmecs become the first great American culture. These include the fertile and well-watered coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico which permitted two crops each year, the strategic location at the heart of regional trade routes, and access to natural resources like obsidian, rubber, and jade.

Who came first the Maya or Olmecs?

The Olmecs were the first great Mesoamerican culture and, thriving from c. 1200 BCE to c. 400 BCE, they pre-date the Maya.

Olmec Civilization Timeline

Definition

The Olmec civilization, located in ancient Mexico, prospered in Pre-Classical (Formative) Mesoamerica from c. 1200 BCE to c. 400 BCE. Monumental sacred complexes, massive stone sculptures, ball games, the drinking of chocolate, and animal gods were all features of Olmec culture passed on to those peoples who followed this first great Mesoamerican civilization.

More about: Olmec Civilization

Timeline

c. 2700 BCE
Corn is first cultivated in Mesoamerica.
c. 1200 BCE
San Lorenzo becomes the great ceremonial centre of the Olmec civilization.
c. 1200 BCE - c. 400 BCE
The Olmec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
c. 1200 BCE
The Olmec civilization springs from the grouping of ancient villages along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
c. 900 BCE
The centre of San Lorenzo is detroyed and monuments are defaced. La Venta becomes the Olmec capital.
c. 300 BCE - 400 BCE
La Venta is destroyed, monuments are defaced and the Olmec civilization ends.

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