The People of Mexico The Olmecs Most Mexicans are descended from Spanish ancestors and the ancient civilisations of Mexico. In the 16th Century, the Spanish conquistadors (conquerors) arrived and settled in Mexico but before this, civilisations such as the Olmecs, the Maya, the Toltecs and the Aztecs had grown and developed. This has provided Mexico with a fascinating population, rich in a mixture of cultures and traditions. Click The Olmecs were the first of the great Mexican civilisations (1200-400 BC). They are famous for the huge stone heads the carved out of basalt. The Olmecs It is the Olmecs we must thank for the discovery of cacao - the bean from which cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate are made! topicresources.com