OLMEC CIVILIZATION - MESOAMERICA time frame: ca. 1250-1000 bc (about 3,000 years ago) largest settlement: San Lorenzo, Veracruz, Mexico The site: about 1,200 acres in size, population of approx. 10,000 The environment: tropical lowlands, swampy, lush vegetation—jungle features: - large stone monuments - no pyramids, but terrace architecture - a distinct art style in monuments and portable artifacts...ritual practices - complex multi-tiered settlement system debate/issues: Was this the fist state level society in the Americas? What effect did it have on the rise of civilization elsewhere in Mesoamerica? spread of Olmec style (diffusion) and the “mother vs. sister culture” debate...Olmec colonies????
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OLMEC CIVILIZATION - MESOAMERICAtime frame: ca. 1250-1000 bc (about 3,000 years ago)
largest settlement: San Lorenzo, Veracruz, Mexico
The site: about 1,200 acres in size, population of approx. 10,000
The environment: tropical lowlands, swampy, lush vegetation—jungle
features: - large stone monuments- no pyramids, but terrace architecture - a distinct art style in monuments andportable artifacts...ritual practices
- complex multi-tiered settlement system
debate/issues: Was this the fist state level society in the Americas?What effect did it have on the rise of civilization elsewhere in Mesoamerica?
spread of Olmec style (diffusion) and the “mother vs. sister culture” debate...Olmec colonies????
volcanic stone
San Lorenzo
Canton Corralito
the Olmec culture “heartland” (outlined in dark red)
San Lorenzo acropolis(site center) showing monument locations andknown elite architecture
colossal stone head at time of discovery, San Lorenzo
colossal stone heads from San Lorenzo
colossal stone heads from San Lorenzo
colossal stone altar or throne showing a man emerging from a cave or mouth of monster
life-size portrait monuments, El Azuzul, San Lorenzo
moving multi-ton stone monuments by water
palace area, showing pillars and stone drain system covered stone drain system
SAN LORENZO SITE
Olmec style carved ceramic vessels
Olmec style ceramic figurinesrepresenting adults
(about 8-10 inches in height)
Olmec style ceramic figurinerepresenting baby
(about 12 inches in length)
El Manati
carved wooden bustsfound in natural springnear San Lorenzo
approx. ht. approx. 2 feet
OLMEC COLONIES? Canton CorralitoResearch Question: Did the Olmec establish a colony at Canton Corralito,
Chiapas, some 400 miles away from the heartland?
To address this: - excavate the site extensively. - obtain a large sample of pottery and other objects and closely compare them to like objects from San Lorenzo
- “technical style” comparison, rote practices, religious imagery, ethnicity...
the results are conclusive...massive importation...exact forms, technical attributes....BINGO, a colony, and the first such animal identified in the Americas
Implications: - San Lorenzo was a state...why? - spread of style ties to San Lorenzo Olmec- finding support aspects of “mother culture” perspective
Canton Corralito, under excavation
now that’s a trench!
test pits...for sampling and chronology, remember??