One of the first of Mexico’s Ancient civilizations was the Olmec. They are believed to have begun surfacing around in Pre-Classical Mesoamerica 1200 BC. They established themselves in what is current day states of Veracruz and Tobasco; centered in the Gulf of Mexico. The reason that the Olmecs began to prosper was because of the fertile land and well-watered coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico. This was good soil to help them grow crops such as corn and beans. The land was so fertile that they often were able to grow both corn and beans twice a year. This left them with a surplus of food, which is why they were able to survive. They also gathered palm nuts and gathered food from sea life such as turtles and clams (Cartwright, 2013). Like the theory from Guns, Germs and Steel suggests, the land helped them survive, if it wasn’t for the fertile land or the abundance of food locally who knows how the Olmecs could have survived.
Urban centres began appearing around 1200 BC. San Lorenzo was the earliest centre to develop. The others were La Venta, Laguna de los Cerros, Tres Zapotes and Las Limas. San Lorenzo was at its peak from 1200 BC to 900 BC. It was strategically placed so that it was able to avoid flooding from the water, which in turn saved their crops and allowed them to control local trade (Cartwright, 2013). This is another instance where the Olmec used the geography of the land to better suit their needs and help them avoid any setbacks from Mother Nature. La Venta then flourished once San Lorenzo site started to systematically destruct around 900 BC. La Venta then became the capital and populated around 18,000 people.
One way that the Olmec people used the resources, is they used them for art. They carved portraits into basalt which at times were 3 meters high and weighed around 8 ton (Cartwright, 2013). They would use balsa rafts to move these stones to other places. Balsa is a lightweight wood mostly used to make rafts. They also used jade and ceramic to create pieces of art as well. The Olmec also had an abundant number of rubber trees in the area. They were able to produce a latex like substance which allowed them to then make rubber balls, bowls and clothing.
The Olmecs were big on the trade market. Before the Olmecs, people didn’t trade with others from far away. They kept the trading close. The Olmecs traded with everyone from the valley of Mexico even trading with civilizations in Central America. This all allowed the Olmecs culture to spread even if these other cultures didn’t embrace it (Minster, 2015). The Olmec civilization influenced many other civilizations after them when it came to trading. They also had an influence on cultures that came in contact with them. They were so advanced at the time then others because they had already developed a writing system and complex religion.
One thing that the Olmecs struggled with was the fact that they weren’t remembered. Although they may have influenced other cultures and civilizations, many people forget that the Olmecs even existed. Olmec artifacts were once believed to be Mayan artifacts. However although they may not have been the most popular, they developed things culturally and religiously that was later used by some of the well-known great Mayan and Aztec civilizations (The ancient Olmec Civilization, 2006). Also their layout of La Venta would later be copied by many other civilizations. They may have not been the most known civilization, however the Olmec used their land to thrive and become advanced for their time. The fact that they had great soil to grow crops and were located by water, allowed them to make the best of their situation. I would add that the theory of Gun, Germs and Steel is supported by the Olmec civilization.
Cartwright, M. (2013, August 30). Olmec Civilization. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
Minster, C. (2015). Ancient Olmec Trade and Economy. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
The ancient Olmec Civilization. (2006). Retrieved September 15, 2015.
The Olmec people were great traders. They were one of the first civilizations that began to trade with others that were far from them distance wise. In the map you can see that not only do they trade with people in Mexico, they also extend out into Central America. This also shows the places that the Olmec people influenced while they traded goods.
Latin American Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://www.latinamericanstudies.org
Urban centres began appearing around 1200 BC. San Lorenzo was the earliest centre to develop. The others were La Venta, Laguna de los Cerros, Tres Zapotes and Las Limas. San Lorenzo was at its peak from 1200 BC to 900 BC. It was strategically placed so that it was able to avoid flooding from the water, which in turn saved their crops and allowed them to control local trade (Cartwright, 2013). This is another instance where the Olmec used the geography of the land to better suit their needs and help them avoid any setbacks from Mother Nature. La Venta then flourished once San Lorenzo site started to systematically destruct around 900 BC. La Venta then became the capital and populated around 18,000 people.
One way that the Olmec people used the resources, is they used them for art. They carved portraits into basalt which at times were 3 meters high and weighed around 8 ton (Cartwright, 2013). They would use balsa rafts to move these stones to other places. Balsa is a lightweight wood mostly used to make rafts. They also used jade and ceramic to create pieces of art as well. The Olmec also had an abundant number of rubber trees in the area. They were able to produce a latex like substance which allowed them to then make rubber balls, bowls and clothing.
The Olmecs were big on the trade market. Before the Olmecs, people didn’t trade with others from far away. They kept the trading close. The Olmecs traded with everyone from the valley of Mexico even trading with civilizations in Central America. This all allowed the Olmecs culture to spread even if these other cultures didn’t embrace it (Minster, 2015). The Olmec civilization influenced many other civilizations after them when it came to trading. They also had an influence on cultures that came in contact with them. They were so advanced at the time then others because they had already developed a writing system and complex religion.
One thing that the Olmecs struggled with was the fact that they weren’t remembered. Although they may have influenced other cultures and civilizations, many people forget that the Olmecs even existed. Olmec artifacts were once believed to be Mayan artifacts. However although they may not have been the most popular, they developed things culturally and religiously that was later used by some of the well-known great Mayan and Aztec civilizations (The ancient Olmec Civilization, 2006). Also their layout of La Venta would later be copied by many other civilizations. They may have not been the most known civilization, however the Olmec used their land to thrive and become advanced for their time. The fact that they had great soil to grow crops and were located by water, allowed them to make the best of their situation. I would add that the theory of Gun, Germs and Steel is supported by the Olmec civilization.
Cartwright, M. (2013, August 30). Olmec Civilization. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
Minster, C. (2015). Ancient Olmec Trade and Economy. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
The ancient Olmec Civilization. (2006). Retrieved September 15, 2015.
The Olmec people were great traders. They were one of the first civilizations that began to trade with others that were far from them distance wise. In the map you can see that not only do they trade with people in Mexico, they also extend out into Central America. This also shows the places that the Olmec people influenced while they traded goods.
Latin American Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://www.latinamericanstudies.org
This shows the origin of food productions. The Olmec are located in a point of origin for food production labeled as Mesoamerica. Since the Olmec had fertile land and were close to the water they were able to have a surplus of food available to them. They could grow crops, sometimes twice a year which really benefited them.
History Repeating. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://historyrepeating.org/
For more information on the settlement of early people in Mexico visit http://www.history.com/topics/mexico/mexico-timeline. There is a great timeline of the early people and those who came after them.
For more information on the history and culture of early people visit http://www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicohistory.htm. It has quite a bit of info regarding the early people. It is a very interesting read.
History Repeating. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://historyrepeating.org/
For more information on the settlement of early people in Mexico visit http://www.history.com/topics/mexico/mexico-timeline. There is a great timeline of the early people and those who came after them.
For more information on the history and culture of early people visit http://www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicohistory.htm. It has quite a bit of info regarding the early people. It is a very interesting read.
This is a population pyramid of Mexico in 1965. This pyramid clearly shows that there was a very high birth rate, as most of the population is fairly young.
This is a population pyramid of Mexico in 2015. Compared to 1965, the birth rate has decreased significantly. There is also more middle aged people as well compared to 1965.