Olmecs-sb

THE OLMECS

This page high lights the history of the olmecs in these 4 categories: region religion economy art

BACK ROUND INFORMATION OF THE OLMECS The Olmecs where the first ancient civilization in mexico. The culture started in 1200 through 1400 b.c. The Olmecs are referred to as the mother culture for other civilizations. Olmec means "the rubber people".

They were among the first civilization to build pyramids made from mud and earth.

There are also know for there giant stone sculptures and there complex calendar system.

REGION They were located Laguna de los Cerros, tres Zapotes, San Lorenzo, La Venta, and the Tuxtla Mountains, all in Mexico.



RELIGION

The Olmes believed in many things. They strongly believed in the jaguar. It is said the they believed in the jaguar because he was the most powerful predator. They also belied that the jaguar brought them rain.

ECONOMY

The Olmecs were farmers they mostly ate corn, shellfish, turtles, beans, deer, and dogs.

ART

They are know for there giant head stone statues. The statues are usually around 7 feet tall and have thick lips and helmets. They also made smaller statues with thick lips warriors with goatees, they also made statues of jaguars. They were the first people to do cave wall paintings in Mexico.



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