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 …

Apr 4, 2018 · 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 …

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 …

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 …

Appearing around 1600 BCE, the Olmec were among the first Mesoamerican complex societies, and their culture influenced many later civilizations, like the Maya. The Olmec are known for …

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

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 …

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 …

Key Points The Olmec lived in south-central Mexico, with their center in La Venta in Tabasco. Little is known about Olmec religion, though scholars believe there were eight main deities. …

The Olmec civilization is known for its colossal stone heads, sacred sites like La Venta and San Lorenzo, and its lasting influence across ancient Mesoamerica.