OLMEC CIVILIZATION OF MEXICO

The Olmec civilization of Mexico was in existence from 1200 BC to 600 AD.  These ancient people lived in the lowlands where they were often referred to as “Mother Nature” although they called themselves, “Xi” (Shi).  One of the distinguishing factors of this civilization is that they had very large heads, which on most appeared as being deformed.  This understanding came from years of archeological study to include drawings, statues, and other artifacts.

Living in the Tuxtlas mountains, today more than 170 monuments created by the Olmec have been discovered in the area with 80% of those being from the three largest Olmec areas to include La Venta, Tabasco, San Lorenzo Tenochititlan, Veracruz, and Laguna de Los Cerros, Veracruz, 38%, 30%, and 12% respectively.  For the three regions where the Olmec lived, each had specific natural resources to help with their economy.

As an example, the eastern center of La Venta was near the coastline but also provided things like cacao, salt, and rubber.  Then the center region of San Lorenzo controlled floodplains and river-line trade routes.  Finally, Laguna de Los Cerros, which is located near the mountains provided a valuable resource of stone for the production of metates, manos, and monuments.

Another fascinating aspect of the Olmec people is that like the Mayan civilization, they were brilliant mathematicians, as well as clever astronomers.  Other skills possessed by the Olmec people included farming at which they were quite skilled, writing, which was the creation and use of signs similar to that used by the West African people called Vai, and carvers, creating large, impressive monuments.

One of the things that confused early researchers was the level of sophistication at which the Olmec people lived.  For being so early in time, they were very organized and able to accomplish things that should have been impossible.  Olmec centers were also constructed, which can still be seen today.  These centers at the three regions, as well as other smaller locations, were used for religious ceremonies as well as places where farmers and artisans could come to settle.

As an example of this, if you were to visit the center in San Lorenzo, you would notice several public ceremonial buildings along with houses used by the commoners and elite residences used by people of importance.  In most cases, the buildings used for ceremonies were made as earthen platform mounds but keep in mind that some of these were also designed with large house-like structures built on top.

One of the most impressive and fascinating aspects of the Olmec center was the irrigation system made from stone.  Each center had a network of stone drain lines buried below the surface of the ground.  Then, long blocks shaped like a U and made of basalt were laid end-to-end and finally covered with capstones.  Experts who have studies these systems believe they were used for moving drinking water from one location of the settlement to another.

Interestingly, there is even evidence that the Olmec civilization played ball.  Over time, rubber balls have been discovered at the Manati site located close to San Lorenzo.  To support this theory, further digging has uncovered ball courts.  Then to make things even more exciting, a colossal stone head was discovered in 1862 in Veracruz.  Over the years to follow, more and more pieces of the puzzle were discovered, giving us a new view into the life of these magnificent people.

In addition to looking nice, the monuments used by the Olmec people were a part of their ideology.  Many of these massive monument heads were replicas of important leaders, each wearing a helmet.  These very monuments were created while the leaders were alive in honor of their leadership but then used to commemorate them after death.  Altars were used as the throne from where the rulers sat.  Each would have a carving on the front to identify the ruler, which then sits in a small niche to symbolize an entrance of a cave leading to supernatural powers of the underworld.

Another find was made in 1939 when a huge stone head had the standard Olmec design on one side but on the other, there was a date symbol.  What this showed the experts was that this civilization had a much greater right to be referred to as “Mother Culture.”  The complex villages and systems created by this society are beyond impressive, something imaginable for such a time in life.

Things became a little confusing when additional heads were discovered but this time with features of African people.  This does not prove that the Olmec leaders were in fact of African descent but it does raise questions.  One particular excavation at La Venta uncovered a pyramid mound reaching 106 feet tall.  Along with the trenches were discovered that contained a number of treasures such as colored clay floors, jade Celts, and even royal burials.  Inside the burials were offerings to include jewelry, Celts, and greenstone figurines.

As the years pass, more and more discoveries are made at the Olmec centers, such as missing but quite large fragments of altar corners, decapitated portrait statues, and the list goes on.  Another discovery is that experts now believe some of the broken pieces were actually taken and used by the Olmec people to make new monuments.  This was indeed an amazing civilization living well before their time.  They left many clues into the lives they lead, allowing us, the modern day society, to marvel.