After millennia of American Indian hunting societies since the "Ice Age," and the
eventual development of agricultural societies, the setting was ripe for the
emergence of civilization in Mexico. This phenomenon occurred entirely independently
of cultural evolution in the Old World. Thus, the first Olmec civilization arose,
and ran its course, between 1200 and 500 B.C. (Early and Middle Preclassic).
Its homeland was in the swampy rain forest region of the Gulf of Mexico, on the
north side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
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Click on thumbnails for a larger view and discussion of the image.
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CURLED STONE JAGUAR
Mexico, Veracruz or Tabasco
Terminal Olmec
700-500 B.C.
Gray volcanic stone with traces of red cinnabar
Ht. 38 cm (15"); W. 34.5 cm (13.5"); D. 12.5 cm (5")
[F] 90.34.0.2
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INCISED JADE FIGURE
Mexico; provenience unknown
Olmec culture
900-500 B.C.
Pale bluish-green jadeite
Ht. 11.8 cm (4.6")
[F] 91.121.0.1
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STANDING STONE FIGURE
Mexico; provenience unknown
Olmec culture
900-500 B.C.
Mottled green and white stone
Ht. 2.7 cm (5")
[F] 91.120.0.1
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STANDING FIGURE HOLDING BATON
Mexico; unknown provenience
Olmec culture
900-500 B.C.
Dark green jade
Ht. 7.6 cm (3")
[F] 93.156.0.2
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UNUSUAL RECLINING STONE FIGURE
Mexico; provenience unknown
Olmec culture
900-500 B.C.
Dark green serpentine
L.9.5 cm (3.75")
[F] 84.2.0.2
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SOLID SEATED MALE FIGURE
Mexico, Las Bocas
Olmec culture
1100-500 B.C.
Cream-slipped ceramic
Ht. 13.5 cm (5.4")
[F] 91.119.0.01
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Author information: Justin Kerr, Lee Parsons
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