Olmecs-kr

=__The Olmecs: A Mother Culture__=

//This is a map of where the Olmecs were located//
 * Click above to visit the Location of the Olmecs**

> > >
 * Region
 * History
 * Religion
 * Sneak Peek
 * Architecture
 * Economy
 * Culture/Fun

____ __Region__ 1862, people discovered a stone head that they later learned was from the Olmecs culture. This stone was found in Mexico and near Central America. For many, many years a lot of sculptures from the Olmec culture were found. The topographical information includes; swampy lowlands, low hill ridges, some volcanoes and sharply rising mountainous areas. The Olmecs were known for their “colossal stone sculptures” and for their advanced calendar system. Known for this system, mainly because many people found it very intelligent and therefore, hard to follow. In this way they were a very unique people. Although, the Mayans were a very profound culture of the MesoAmericans, and overpowered the Olmecs in popularity. Many people often referred to the Olmecs as Mayans! After time, civilizations started to recognize the Olmecs as a powerful Culture in it's entirety. The Olmec cultures lived in cities that were based around a central mound that was raised. This mound was used most frequently for religious matters. Although around 900 bc this mound was replaced by pyramid structures. (//pictures of example pyramid shown below//)

//Olmec Art Figure//  __History__ They grew crops throughout their cities, went hunting and fished many times. They had an easy access to waterways as well. This way they could also trade with other civilizations. In 1000 BC the Olmecs finally came into power. Along side with Olmec calendars, they developed hieroglyphic writings as well. The Olmecs were in the position of power over many cultures who were influenced by them. The Olmecs were very famous for their unique head stone sculptures which were usually constructed to represent a leader in their group. When you study about the Olmec culture, many of what you will find will be of their art work. Most of the Olmecs head sculptures were destroyed in history. Some scientists believe that the Olmecs did this themselves whenever a leader died, as a sacrifice. Describing the sculptures having slanted eyes and large mouths. People do not no whether the Olmecs were Asian or African due to these particular characteristics. Although they believed that the heads could have been deformed in some way. Both the Mayans and the Olmecs used head stone sculptures to give the children of their cultures something to be proud of. The materials that the Olmecs worked with to construct these sculptures were Jade, Obsidian and Basalt.

//The Omecs very famous head sculptures//

 __Religion__ The Olmec people believed that animals were powerful creatures of the earth and they should be acknowledged. They believed that humans had animal spirits. The Olmecs practiced Shamanism, a religion worshiping certain animals. They would do rituals in the ceremonial homes. A great god to the Olmecs was known as "Jaguar." This was a combination of a human body and a feline characteristic. It has been known that the Olmecs have also worshiped other gods. Such as the Xipe, lord of spring, Fire Serpent, Death God, and a Feathered Serpent. The Feathered Serpent was known for it's great wisdom and sense of life. Religion is an important part of every culture, it was very important for the Olmecs to recognize the lands animals. For the leaders, being closer to the "gods" gave them a significant power over normal citizens.

 //A sneak peek into the Life of an Olmec...//
 * [[image:Helicopter.jpg width="233" height="189" align="center"]]The Olmecs Central Mound || [[image:Atec_ankle_rattles.jpg width="218" height="206" align="center"]] Olmec Footwear || [[image:074.jpg width="178" height="208" align="center"]] Olmec Artwork ||
 * [[image:olmec4.gif width="179" height="157" align="center"]] Olmec Baby Sculpture || [[image:4_2.jpg align="center"]]Olmec Lifestyle || [[image:babyo2.jpg width="177" height="181" align="center"]] Baby Jaguar Sculptures ||

 __Architect____ure__ The Olmec architecture was very profound. They started constructing ceremonial buildings at a location named San Lorenzo. They also built elite residences and regular houses. They had been in the Mayan’s shadows for long enough, and by now everyone could see and know how they vary from being great architects to being great sculpters and excellent farmers! Many people overlook this fact but the upper-class citizens were usually identified as priests and possessed political power. The upper-class citizens also lived in the large cities while the lower class citizens lived in small rural towns. The Olmecs writing was from the time 900 BC to AD 450. Very similar to the Vai people who lived in West Africa. They used a lot of symbols. They would scribe hieroglyphics on pottery, statues and many other objects. //The Pyramid//

 __Economy__ Mainly focused around farming, fishing and shell fishing, the Olmec economy was dependent on pursuing natural instincts of survival. The Olmecs were blessed with beautiful rivers, which provided them with nice fertile grounds for cropping. They were also successful in commerce, because they set up in close by, diverse, towns. This helped them to commercialize their organizations. This was also a good situation for the people of these towns. Who were benefited with basic necessity products.

//Olmec Money//

 __Culture/fun__ The MesoAmericans were very found of ballgames. Archeologist's found many rubber balls at the site of El Manati, which is extremely close to San Lorenzo. This lead the Archeologist's to believe that the Olmecs enjoyed an occasional game. In fact 20 years before this finding, they had found the remains of a possible ball court. This was located at the center of one of the Olmec society's.

__Wiki Works Cited__

The Olmecs  2006

Olmec  2006

The Olmec Culture <[|http://www.plu.edu/~morrisja/page4.html]> 2006

Native Americans  2006//

The Olmecs  2006

__Wiki Works Cited: Pictures__

No Title  2006

The Olmec World  2006

No Title  2006

No Title  2006

No Title  2006

No Title  2006

No Title <[|http://www.iub.edu/~iuam/online_modules/wielgus/images/middle_america/medium/074.jpg]> 2006

No Title  2006

No Title  2006

The Olmecs  2006


 * Click here to learn more**
 * about the Olmec culture**