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.