Download - The first civilization of Mexico Initial Formative The Olmec Preclassic Olmec-style figure. Veracruz
The first civilization of Mexico
Initial Formative The Olmec
Preclassic Olmec-style figure. Veracruz.
Agenda
Understanding social complexityOlmec foundations
art architecture spiritual world
Initial Formativec.2000-1200 BC
During the Formative period agriculture and village life became established in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Early sites of importance include San Jose Magote in the Valley of Oaxaca and at Tierras Largas
Olmec culture in the Late Formative has all the elements of a mature culture: art styles, developed pottery, and architecturally impressive ceremonial centers, rubber …but who set the stage?
Before the Olmec, cultural groups began to organize around a central village.
“Chiefdom”
Villages clustered around central village
Central village has civic/ceremonial structures
central village has larger population than surrounding villages
Implications: centralized authority
disparities in wealth measured in material goods and access to luxury items
social and economic disparities
Technology
Essentially neolithic; highly refined lithic tool kits based on mass produced blades/trade
pottery: numerous vessel forms suggesting specialized purposes
jewelry of precious metals and stone (jaditie)
house constructionstone civic architecture
Shared material culture traits
Stylistic variations in pottery help archaeologists locate culture spread, relationships and associations.
Artistic motifs in painting, design, and manufacture also provide evidence.
Similar deities and modes of homage indicate associations.
San Jose Magote
1150-850 BC (overlaps with early Olmec)
Large scale village in Oaxaca Valleywell made houses with stone
foundation, wood frame and mud plaster with thatched roof on artificial platform(see page 123)
Ceremonial center of similar construction.
Important Olmec sites
San Lorenzo (1200-900 BC)La Venta (900-400 BC)several lesser sites
La Venta platform and plaza
Olmec achievements
Invent rubberamong the finest
sculptors in historydesign stone
architecture with emphasis on celestial orientation
imported stone over long distance
Complex social and religious order
milpa agriculturejade tradeevidence of
complex structures of authority
Olmec mysteries
Colossal heads carved figures…controversy (Who? Why?)
Ball game ritual significance
Jaguar cult anthrpomorphic babies in sculpture
See pages 142-143
Anthropomorphic axe. Jadite. Provenance not well established.
Jaguar and human baby composite. Common theme.
Recent considerations
Cranial deformationTwin worship / dualityRelationship between Olmec and
Zapotec at Monte Alban?
Cache of figures as found in ritual position. La Venta.
Deeply buried, figures standing near polished jade axes. Approx. 8 inches tall.
Evidence of cranial deformation.
How shall we interpret this scene?
Deformation brought about by binding the skull shortly after birth while skull is still soft and maintaining for a couple years.
Cranial deformation
Also found among Maya; Nazca in Peru
Some evidence that it was isolated to those of elite status, not the whole population.
We can not say with certainty it was a mark of beauty.
Preclassic style pottery figurine, from Tlatilco, Mexico City. Comparative figurine.