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, 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 …

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.

Feb 17, 2025 · The Olmec civilization, often regarded as Mesoamerica’s “mother culture,” laid the foundations for many aspects of later societies such as the Maya and Aztecs.

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

Almost all of the world’s earliest civilizations arose in river valleys, and the Olmecs were no exception. The central Olmec region is a low-lying area along the Gulf of Mexico, about 200 …