The Olmecs: Mesoamerica's Mysterious First Civilization

Despite nearly a century of research, Mesoamerica's first major civilization remains an enigma. Your course begins with an examination of the origins, culture, art, and legacy of the Olmec civilization. See how new research into archaeological sites and LiDAR technology has unearthed game-changing discoveries.

Step back more than 150 years to the discovery of a colossal head made from eight tons of basalt in the Veracruz mountains. See how early research, archaeological expeditions, and antiquarian interest established our initial understanding of the Olmecs as Mesoamerica's founding civilization.

San Lorenzo was the first major Olmec city, which peaked around 1,000 BCE. Known for its colossal heads, elite palaces, and a mysterious decline, San Lorenzo continues to fascinate. Learn what the latest DNA evidence and research into ancient corn production tell us about this city and the broader Olmec civilization.

For nearly a century, archaeologists have labeled the Olmecs as a "Mother Culture," out of which sprang other great Mesoamerican civilizations. Here, Dr. Barnhart surveys recent research into contemporary cultures in the Valley of Oaxaca and the Soconusco region, which suggests a "Sister Culture" of mutual influence might be more precise.

La Venta is the defining Olmec city of the Middle Formative Period of 900–500 BCE. Explore its corn-fueled rise, its great pyramids and private tombs, and trade networks throughout the region. Like San Lorenzo, La Venta amplified the Olmec legacy and shaped Mesoamerican culture until its fall.

Like so much of the Olmec legacy, we can only speculate about the civilization's religion and iconography. In this lecture, Dr. Barnhart shows you a wealth of Olmec art, including stunning half-human, half-jaguar figures. He then walks you through debates over the Olmec pantheon versus shamanism and ancestor worship.

A civilization is about more than cities and great buildings. It's about people. Here, step into the daily life of the Olmecs, from elite palaces to common homes. Get to know the vibrant society through its settlement patterns, the corn- and river-driven economy, and hairstyles and clothing.

Shift your attention from Central Mexico to the western archaeological sites in Guerrero and Morelos. Were these settlements an outgrowth of the Olmecs or merely influenced by them? As you dive into this fascinating debate, you will explore cave carvings, ancient hydraulic systems, and more.

Journey to the archaeological site of Tres Zapotes, which transitioned from a modest Olmec site to a major Epi-Olmec center around 400 BCE. With a written script, distinctive settlement patterns, and evolving construction, go inside the debate of whether the Epi-Olmecs were a continuation or a new civilization altogether.

Continue your study of the Late Formation Epi-Olmecs with a deep dive into the Isthmian script. This lecture debunks myths, debates what the written record tells us about the origins of the Zapotecs and the Mayas, and unravels a controversial written text that defies translation.

No Olmec writing or calendars are known before the first century BCE, but Epi-Olmec script offers clues into how the civilization kept time and understood the year. Dr. Barnhart walks you through the "long count" used by the Epi-Olmecs and the Mayans. Then, he turns to sparse astronomical references and LiDAR evidence of the Mesoamerican celestial worldview.

To wrap up your course, consider the Olmec legacy, from breathtaking religious iconography to stone monuments. Reassessing the "Mother Culture" myth, Dr. Barnhart traces the ideological influence, rulership traditions, and artistic achievements of the Olmecs and their broader influence on ancient Mesoamerica.