Civilizations

SSWH1 Analyze the origins, structures, and interactions of societies in the ancient world from 3500 BCE/BC to 500 BCE/BC.

e. Explain the rise of the Olmecs.

Civilizations also developed in the Americas in this period. Geographic isolation made them more unique but they followed many of the same patterns of civilizations in Afro-Eurasia.

Agricultural villages based on the cultivation of corn, beans, and squash emerged about 3500 BCE. These villages grew into a variety of urban centers around 1200 BCE, the most influential of which was the Olmec culture found in the modern Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco.

Political authority and social stratification developed in these urban areas as a result of agricultural surplus and the need to mobilize large numbers of people to construct irrigation systems, ceremonial buildings and to drain land for farming

Sophisticated urban planning based on the movement of the stars, the creation of monumental artwork including several giant Olmec head statues, and the construction of monumental architecture indicate a strong central government able to mobilize the labor of the population over time. Each Olmec city was likely independently ruled by a hereditary monarch who maintained power by presenting himself as an intermediary to the gods. These rulers, assisted by a class of priests, performed awe inspiring rituals on large platforms in the center of each city that included bloodletting and human sacrifice. These rituals served to reinforce the power of the state and laid the cultural foundations for the civilization that followed.

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Directions

Review the link on the following slide, you will have a few questions regarding the Olmecs after you read the article.

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Multiple Select

How was the Olmec civilization similar to the Egyptian civilization? Choose all that apply

• Monotheistic

• Polytheistic

• Importance of rivers

• Built large structures

Multiple Choice

What type of artwork were the Olmecs known for?

• Stone Heads

• Frescos

• Calligraphy

• Painting