3. Tlatilco (1200 B.C. – 200 B.C.) Remains of Tlatilco civilization were excavated in the Central Valley of Mexico by George c. Valliant Tlatilco represents an archaic culture of Mesoamerica Society – made up of agricultural workers, fishermen, hunters, and artisans Religious Practices – polytheistic Tlatilco Art – pieces show traditional basic features, each is original

4. Tlatilco Bowl Art from Tlatilco is essentially ceramic art, highly stylized and modeled by hand

5. Tlatilco Art “Pretty Ladies” characteristics included small waist, wide hips, stumpy arms, coffee bean eyes “The Acrobat from Tlatilco” – he is made of olive polished terra cota Shape changing, as expressed in acrobatic skill relates back to shamanic capabilities

6. Olmecs (1500 B.C. – 100 B.C.) The name is derived from olli, the Nahuatl word for rubber, and from mecatl, meaning lineage The Rubber People Olmec heartland = N. Tabasco and S. Veracruz The “mother culture” of Mesoamerica

7. San Lorenzo Located in the south of Veracruz Considered the oldest of the three (3) primary Olmec sites Center for Worship and Government 8 of the 17 known colossal basalt heads were found at this site It was abandoned by 400 B.C.

8. Olmec Colossal Head As of 2004, 17 colossal heads have been located in several sites These pieces were designed to glorify the Olmec rulers

9. La Venta Located in Tabasco, 60 miles southeast of San Lorenzo Was a small civic and ceremonial center and a major destination for religious pilgrimages 4 of the colossal basalt heads were found here Fell into decline around 400 B.C.

10. Altar in La Venta (Olmec) the massive altars were made of enormous basalt blocks weighing up to 44 tons They are believed to have served as thrones for the Olmec kings

11. Tres Zapotes Located about 100 miles northwest of La Venta 2 colossal heads were discovered at this site Stela C = a carved stone monument dating 32 B.C. Excavation of this site continues as of today

12. Stela C

13. Economy Access to rivers allowed for trade with other cities which included Monte Alban and Teotihuacan Traded basalt, rubber, shells Farmers grew maize, yams, squash, beans, avocados

14. Government It is theorized that successful farming of the Olmecs led to a government run by a ruling elite There was little difference between religious and civic rule in Olmec society Shaman-kings

15. Religion The Olmec religion associated nature with the supernatural world Springs, mountain tops, and caves were considered portals to the supernatural world Olmec Shamans were-jaguar – a creature both human & jaguar Ball Game – was an important sport but it was also an important religious ritual

16. El Azuzul Twin Shamanic transformation Feline pose Jaguar

17. Olmec Art The major source of knowledge about the Olmec civilization is through its surviving artwork For the Olmecs, art was meant to give power to the shaman or ruler The process into the other world – the world of the supernatural – central to most Olmec art Masters at stone carving, skilled potters, stone cutters

20. Jade Mask

21. Because the Olmecs lacked metal tools, the task of carving would have been exremely time consuming

22. Sculptural style depicting humans or human beast hybrids Facial features: pudgy face with snarling, fanged mouth, almond shaped eyes, flame eyebrows, and cleft forehead

24. Language & Writing Scholars believe the Olmecs spoke an ancient form of Mixe-Zoquean language Evidence of Olmec script: Stela C, La Mojarra stela, Tuxtla statuette Long Count was made up of a two-calendar system Originators of glyph writing in Mesoamerica?

25. La Mojarra Stela (San Lorenzo)

26. Tuxtla Statuette

27. Stela C (Tres Zapotes)

28. Science Originators of advances in mathematics, astronomy, and time measurement Number System Predicted eclipses