The Olmecs

The Olmecs lived in what is now Mexico about 3,000 years ago. They are often called the first great civilization of Mesoamerica. The Olmecs built cities, temples, and pyramids. They are most famous for carving huge stone heads. Later peoples like the Maya and Aztecs learned from the Olmecs.

Giant Stone Heads

The Olmecs carved huge heads out of big rocks. Each head can weigh as much as 50 cars. They show faces with thick lips and flat noses wearing helmets. The heads may be pictures of Olmec rulers or leaders. How they moved the giant stones for miles is still a mystery.

Olmec Culture

The Olmecs were farmers who grew maize, beans, and squash. They lived in villages and larger centers like La Venta and San Lorenzo. They made jewelry and art out of a green stone called jade. The Olmecs also played an early form of a rubber ball game. Many of their ideas spread to other cultures in Mexico.

Fun Facts

• The word Olmec means 'rubber people' in the Aztec language.
• The Olmecs may have invented one of the first forms of writing in the Americas.
• They were among the first people to use the number zero.

Did You Know?

The Olmecs made bouncy rubber balls for their ball games over 3,000 years before modern rubber was invented.