What is the Meaning & Definition of Olmeca
The Olmec Word is used to refer to one of the most significant pre-Columbian civilizations that took place in America. The Olmec were placed in the present territory of Mexico, which were neighbors of other important cultures such as the maya and the Aztec. Unlike you think normally, the Olmec not they coexisted with the Spaniards since its period of splendor took place between the years 1200 and 400 b.c., by what Europeans discovered their last existence only through documents and works of art that have held up over time. The Olmec were located on the shores of the current Gulf of Mexico, although they also arrived quite deep into the territory and to expand on the one hand important culture of the Mexican geography. Some of the most important Olmec urban centers were the cities of Tlatilco, Tlapacoya, Teopantecuanitlan and Chalcatzingo, among others.
Due to the existence of very few written documents, today it has scant information on the lifestyle of the Olmec. However, it is considered that the Olmec era a hierarchical civilisation in which some resources were a privilege of the rich, as well as also large part of belonging to this civilization constructions show greater power of certain social groups over others. At the same time, the experts have found many objects and elements with the typical design of the Olmec along much of the Mexican territory, which suggests that this culture was devoted to trade and exchange of goods.
Among elements protruding from the Olmec culture more are without any doubt to the gigantic and fabulous heads which have been carved in stone, probably in honor of gods or important figures for the Olmec. It is estimated that each of these heads represents a character or other figure since no found two equal models throughout the territory. In addition, the Olmecs also created important and beautiful masks made out of jade. The Olmec, ultimately were polytheistic and believed in a specific set of gods and shamans.
Due to the existence of very few written documents, today it has scant information on the lifestyle of the Olmec. However, it is considered that the Olmec era a hierarchical civilisation in which some resources were a privilege of the rich, as well as also large part of belonging to this civilization constructions show greater power of certain social groups over others. At the same time, the experts have found many objects and elements with the typical design of the Olmec along much of the Mexican territory, which suggests that this culture was devoted to trade and exchange of goods.
Among elements protruding from the Olmec culture more are without any doubt to the gigantic and fabulous heads which have been carved in stone, probably in honor of gods or important figures for the Olmec. It is estimated that each of these heads represents a character or other figure since no found two equal models throughout the territory. In addition, the Olmecs also created important and beautiful masks made out of jade. The Olmec, ultimately were polytheistic and believed in a specific set of gods and shamans.