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The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization

Journey through the world of ancient Mesoamerica with insights from classic archaeology and cutting-edge technology.
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The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization

Trailer

Evolving Olmec Origins Story

01: Evolving Olmec Origins Story

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.

31 min
The Olmec Discovered

02: The Olmec Discovered

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.

31 min
San Lorenzo

03: San Lorenzo

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.

41 min
Mesoamerican Mother Culture?

04: Mesoamerican Mother Culture?

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.

33 min
La Venta

05: La Venta

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.

36 min
Olmec Iconography and Religion

06: Olmec Iconography and Religion

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.

36 min
Life as an Olmec

07: Life as an Olmec

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.

38 min
The Western Olmec

08: The Western Olmec

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.

43 min
Tres Zapotes and the Epi-Olmecs

09: Tres Zapotes and the Epi-Olmecs

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.

30 min
Epi-Olmec Script

10: Epi-Olmec Script

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.

38 min
Olmec Calendars and Astronomy

11: Olmec Calendars and Astronomy

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.

46 min
The Olmec Legacy

12: The Olmec Legacy

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.

35 min

Overview Course No. 30710

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About

Edwin Barnhart

In my own experience as an explorer, it's almost always the case that the locals knew where lost places were all along. The discoverer is just the first person to ask the right questions.

INSTITUTION

Maya Exploration Center

Edwin Barnhart is the director of the Maya Exploration Center. He has a PhD in Anthropology with a focus on Archaeology from The University of Texas at Austin. He has conducted travel courses for college professors and has taught archaeology and anthropology classes at what is now Texas State University. He discovered the ancient city of Maax Na, a major center of the Classic Maya period, and has led dozens of student groups on journeys through Mexico, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. His podcast, ArchaeoEd, focuses on ancient cultures of the Americas.

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