Olmec Civilization: Culture and Achievements

What is the Olmec civilization particularly known for?

• Their advanced military strategies

• Their massive and sophisticated stone monuments

• Their unique pottery techniques

• Their extensive trade networks

What significant artifact was discovered in the late 1990s that provided insight into Olmec writing?

• The Dead Sea Scrolls

• The Mayan Codex

• The Casca whole block

• The Rosetta Stone

What is one reason why the Olmec civilization is considered advanced?

• They built the first pyramids in the world

• They invented the wheel

• They had a complex writing system

• They developed the first known democracy

Which of the following was a major Olmec center known for its access to large quantities of salt and tar?

• San Lorenzo

• La Venta

• Laguna de los Cerros

• Trace Zapata

What was the primary diet of the Olmec people?

• Maize, vegetables, and fish

• Wheat and beef

• Rice and chicken

• Fruits and nuts

What was the primary purpose of the colossal heads created by the Olmecs?

• To serve as deities

• To commemorate Olmec rulers

• To function as astronomical tools

• To mark territorial boundaries

Which two supernatural creatures are believed to be symbolized in Olmec religious motifs?

• A jaguar and an eagle

• A serpent and a dragon

• A crocodile-like being and a shark-like figure

• A wolf and a bear

What was a common feature of Olmec art found at various sites?

• Abstract geometric patterns

• Carvings of supernatural beings

• Depictions of daily life

• Scenes of warfare

What is one theory about the influence of the Olmec culture on later Mesoamerican civilizations?

• They were a minor culture with little impact

• They were primarily influenced by the Aztecs

• They were isolated and had no influence

• They were the mother culture that influenced others

What is one theory about the decline of the Olmec civilization?

• They migrated to South America

• Their culture evolved and was absorbed by others

• They were conquered by the Aztecs

• They were destroyed by natural disasters