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1200 BCE
The Beginning
The first Olmec was known to be around 1,200 BC. The Olmec we're the first people to actually live in one place. They first lived in mexico and Guatemala. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 400
Cities
In 1,200 - 400 BC the Olmec built their first and last cities. San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, La Venta, Tres Zapotec, and Laquna DE Los Cerros we're the first cities. This is the places we're most Olmec would live. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 1100 BCE
San Lorenzo
In 1,200 BC the city San Lorenzo became the main city of the Olmec. San Lorenzo became a city with political power, and religion, the capitol. San Lorenzo was first occupied in 1,100 BC. -
1000 BCE
pyramids
In 1000 BC the Olmec started to make the first pyramids. With large clay platforms and most likely, large triangular prisms at the top. This started the tradition of pyramids. -
900 BCE
Destroyed
In 900 BC the city, San Lorenzo is destroyed, and so are the sculptures. The city La Venta becomes the capital of the Olmec. San Lorenzo was most likely invaded. -
900 BCE
Stone heads
Before 900 BC the Olmec started making sculptures, of heads and other things. All of the face sculptures are normally male with big cheeks, flat noses, and eyes that are slightly crossed. Since the heads are made out of stone nobody really knows how they transported the rock. -
600 BCE
Wrestler
In 600 BC one Olmec sculpture creates a very special sculpture. The piece is named the Wrestler. It is one of the most important sculpture to the Olmec. -
500 BCE
Calendar
The first Olmec calendar was to be discovered in 500 BC. it has a face in the center, and actually worked. These calendars are rarely, but still used today, in the Guatemalan highlands. -
400 BCE
Disappear
Around 400 BC the Olmec disappear. Some people think that they melted into the Mayans and Aztecs. They left behind inscriptions, sculptures, and all of their belongings. -
330 BCE
Mayans come along
In 330 BC after the Olmec disappeared the Mayans came along. They inherited some of the Olmec traditions. Many believe that the Olmec branched off into the Mayans.