Olmecs Games

OLMEC CULTURE!!!!!!!!!!

The Olmec culture thrived along Mexico’s gulf coast from roughly 1200 to 400 B.C. Best known today for their carved colossal heads, the Olmecs were an important early Mesoamerican civilization which had much influence on later cultures such as the Aztecs and the Maya. What do we know about these mysterious ancient people?The Olmec culture thrived along Mexico’s gulf coast from roughly 1200 B.C. to 400 B.C. One of the most important archaeological sites associated with this culture is known as San Lorenzo. Once there was a great city there: its original name has been lost to time. Considered by some archaeologists to be the first true Mesoamerican citySan Lorenzo was a powerful political center. As one of the first Mesoamerican cities – if not the first of all – it did not have true contemporary rivals and ruled over a large area. In the immediate environs, archaeologists have discovered many small settlements and dwellings, mostly located on hilltops. The smaller settlements were likely ruled by members or appointments of the royal family. Smaller sculptures have been found at these peripheral settlements, suggesting that they were sent there from San Lorenzo as a form of cultural or religious control. These smaller sites were useful in the production of food and other resources and were of strategic use militarily. The royal family ruled this mini-empire from the heights of San Lorenzo.In spite of its promising start, San Lorenzo fell into steep decline and by 900 B. C. was a shadow of its former self: the city would be abandoned a few generations later. Archaeologists do not really know why San Lorenzo's glory faded so soon after its classic era. There are a few clues, however. Many of the later sculptures were carved out of earlier ones, and some are only half-completed. This suggests that perhaps rival cities or tribes came to control the countryside, making acquisition of new stone difficult. Another possible explanation is that if the population somehow declined, there would be insufficient manpower to quarry and transport new material. 

Farmers And Society!!

The Olmec's lands were prone to flooding. So Olmec farmers built their houses on artificial hills. However the floods did deposit silt and mud, which made the land fertile. So Olmec farmers were able to grow two crops a year. Olmec farmers grew maize, beans, chilies, tomatoes and squashes. They kept dogs and chickens for meat. As well at that the Olmecs hunted deer and peccaries (wild pigs). The Olmecs also fished and they collected shellfish. The Olmecs also hunted turtles and alligators.Olmec society was stratified. At the top were ruler-priests. Then came craftsmen, merchants and farmers. Little is known about the Olmec religion but they were certainly polytheists (they worshiped many gods). The Olmecs worshiped a jaguar god and a god of maize (their staple food).Olmec merchants traded with many other cultures. They lived in jungles, which had abundant plant and animal life. However they lacked mineral resources. Obsidian, chert and jade had to be brought from far away. In return for them the Olmecs traded jaguar skins and feathers. Olmec ideas and practices spread to other parts of Central America through trade.

History of the Olmecs ''main''

                                 The Olmecs were the first Central American civilization. They flourished in the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico between 1300 BC and 400 BC. The Olmecs influenced all the other civilizations that came later. So much so that they are sometimes called the mother culture. The Olmecs built the first cities in Mexico. They also invented a form of writing and a calendar. The Olmecs also played a game with a solid rubber ball. A similar game was also played by later cultures.

The Olmecs created a religious center at San Lorenzo when they built temples and stone houses on a plateau. However San Lorenzo was destroyed about 900 BC. The Olmecs built a new religious center at La Venta about 800 BC, including a 30 meter high pyramid. However La Venta was destroyed about 400 BC. Yet Olmec culture did not die. Through trade Olmec ideas were adopted by other Central American peoples. Their descendants may have also merged with the Maya.At La Venta Olmec stonemasons carved giant basalt heads. They may represent Olmec rulers. At any rate they are shown wearing the helmets players wore during the rubber ball game. These huge heads are 3 meters high and weigh more than 20 tonnes! The Olmecs made cutting tools from hard stone like chert and from obsidian (volcanic glass, which when cut is extremely sharp). Jade was used to make ceremonial axes and jewelry.

Civilization!!

                                                         ` The Olmecs, the “Mother Culture,” flourished in the southern region of Mesoamerica during 1500– 400BC.Mesoamerica includes Mexico, parts of Honduras, parts of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Belize.` “Olmec” is not the original name; called Olmec later.Art denotes harmony, spiritual force, contemplation without metal tools The Jaguar is considered a sacred animal The serpent is depicted in art Jade masks.Over 250 million slaves brought to Mexico Most intermarried into the culture ` Caste paintings illustrate 16 combinations of intermarriage (developed by the Spanish) ` Stereotypical representations.Family is a combination of African and Mayan. Africans brought their version of the instrument with ''G'' cords for resonators.Importation of Africans began in 1501, authorized by Spain By 1793, the number of slaves had declined, but the majority had mixed with whites and Indians