The Olmec Culture

The Olmecs were farmers, traders, artists… innovators. The Olmec culture first emerged in the Isthmus region of Tehuantepec. The site of San Lorenzo, which sits on the Coatzacoalcos River, sheds the most light on this mysterious culture. During this time period, The Initail Formative, food surplus sparked an increase in population and career specialization. With the increase of specialization and sedentism came the environment for complex culture.

The Olmec people were farmers, “using ground-stone tools to clear the rainforest along the rivers by using a slash-and-burn farming technique” (Evans 2004:135). Amongst the crops raised were maize and manioc. Using the above mentioned farming methods, the Olmec people were able to create a food surplus that allowed artisanship and trade.

Many items from neighboring regions were traded by the Olmec. Jade, an extremely sought after stone, “whose blue green color may have been associated with lifeforce” (Evans 2004:131). Obsidian from Otumba, Guadalupe Victoria, and El Chayal were also traded to the Olmec people. Obsidian was used to make knives, pottery and even a “grating device used to process manioc” (Evans 2004:135). Raw materials like basalt and rubber were also traded in the region.

The Olmec artist was a skilled member of society. Amongst the Olmec art forms, sculpture was very important. The Basalt that was imported into San Lorenzo was...