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Rated 5 out of 5 by lindaz from excellent graphics Professor Barnhart is as entertaining and informative as always. Since we know less of the Olmecs than the Mayas or Aztecs, he is clear to indicate fact vs speculation. I don't know what technology he uses to highlight a glyph or part of a carved stone stela, but it is very effective in helping the novice to see what he describes.

Date published: 2025-11-03

Rated 5 out of 5 by PatL from Another great course from Dr. Barnhart I just finished watching this latest course from Dr. Barnhart. Another great lecture series about ancient Americas. You can sense his passion for his subject through his delivery and explanations. He does a good job of presenting different viewpoints and explaining terminology. He makes it clear that this is the current information and later discoveries may change what we know. Highly recommend!

Date published: 2025-09-11

Rated 5 out of 5 by FloridaPat from Well-researched Informative Course Dr. Barnhart is an excellent presenter and did a wonderful job with this course. I knew nothing about the Olmecs and after completing this course, I was amazed at all I had learned. This course has excellent visuals and is organized very well.

Date published: 2025-08-23

Rated 5 out of 5 by Cecily in Oxford from What an amazing course This is such a highly informative look at a relatively, small part of central America. As a British person my knowledge is very limited to a very little about the Aztecs, probably as American history is not widely taught over here. Consequently, I found this quite an eye opener and I now wish to explore more. I am now much better informed about central American history and of course the Olmecs in particular who I had previously never heard of. I particularly liked the presentation of numerous viewpoints rather than simply that of the presenter. it gave a rounded and more academic stand which I appreciate. The background stories to the archaeological finds and the way they are dealt with in present times was also of interest. It particularly contrasts quite starkly with how ancient finds have to be dealt with in the UK by law. Present day Mexico seems to have a very hands-off approach which is somewhat puzzling. I will now watch more of the courses that Dr Barnhart provides for Great Courses and am also keen to read books on the subject. I thoroughly enjoyed, was enlighten by and highly recommend this course.

Date published: 2025-08-20

Rated 5 out of 5 by mfkohler from Ed does it again! I’ve been a fan of Dr. Barnhart for a long time, and he did not disappoint. Up to date research, well organized, and a smattering of really interesting personal anecdotes and views. Unlike many, he is transparent about his own perspectives and let’s ou know where the fault lines of controversy are. Well done! M Kohler

Date published: 2025-08-06

Rated 4 out of 5 by Cedric_862 from Get your notebook out for this one..... TL:DR -- Worth a buy and worth a semester. So, this professor is pretty typical when it comes to archaeologist. #1 - Biased from a cultural mindset : #2 Loves to talk about crops : #3 He isn't "language agnostic". However, with all that being said, you can go through this course and agree and/or disagree with what he is saying. Discussion and further thinking is really all I seek when reviewing courses on ancient civilizations. So I will give this course a thumbs up. However..... Pet peeves: Why on earth is Dr. Edwin Barnhart and many within his field fixed on discussing corn or wheat. You can't feed over 17,000 people within an area off of corn. Perhaps spend more time on thoughts on how they got their protein. If I hear another corn lecture I will lose it! #2 he is very bias about how they live. Why didn't they use better materials when they had it. Why use mud....blah blah blah. The same reasons $500,000 homes are made of wood frames! These people are ancient humans, think beyond your western views. Wood, Earth, Metal...all of these have different properties. If you are sync with your eternal energy flow you will know what I mean. #3 teopantecuanitlan isn't one word. It's one word to you but when spoken it is not. This leads me to my recommendation --- Probably not beneficial to the professor but some courses do lend themselves to having a "local Dr." to add clarity. Why not have 2 professors within courses like these. I'm not saying 1 lecture 1 professor. I am saying especially for history and language invite someone from Mexico and have their thoughts, their views and how that differs. This is science and science can't happen without discussion and with archeology both sides can learn from each other. I would like both views not just an American view.

Date published: 2025-08-04

Rated 5 out of 5 by Prospero1962 from another winner from Barnhart I am a fan of Dr. Barnhart. I've seen all his lecture series on the ancient Americas-- some of them twice. When I saw a course on the Olmecs pop up, it immediately went to the top of my cue. I watched the entire series of lectures over 3 days. As usual, Barnhart does a great job of presenting many theories. He advises that he agrees with some and disagrees with others, but he presents them all in a fair manner. Highly recommended.

Date published: 2025-07-28

Rated 5 out of 5 by lzhome from Research for everyone to understand I have watched every lecture series of Dr. Barnhart and although I'm more interested in Maya culture thie series is the best presentation of the Dr. yet. I love the presentation style and flow but what I respet most of Dr. Barnhart is the fact that when he doesn't have the answer to an issue he doesn't try use smoke and mirrors, he just states he doesn't have all the answers. Thanks for this series and look forward to more related subjects and finally, I do like the music.

Date published: 2025-07-28

The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization

Trailer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deep in the heart of ancient Mexico, the Olmecs built a grand civilization between 1800 and 400 BCE. The archaeological remains raise more questions than answers about the origins and legacy of this captivating Mesoamerican culture. How did they carve and carry their famous colossal heads? Why did they live in flood-prone wetlands when better agricultural land was available? How can we unlock the secrets of their written language?

Tackle these questions and more in The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization. Taught by Dr. Edwin Barnhart, a seasoned archaeologist and director of the Maya Exploration Center, these 12 eye-opening lectures take you on a journey into the past to explore these fascinating people. From the bustling platforms of San Lorenzo to the ritual-rich pyramids of La Venta, you’ll discover how the Olmecs shaped and were shaped by trade, religion, and ideology.

Armed with the latest research, you’ll consider the Olmec reputation as “Mother Culture” of Mesoamerican civilizations—meaning that other cultures were descendants of the Olmecs. However, the story of ancient Mesoamerica is a much more complex tale of coevolution with neighbors like the Oaxaca and, later, the Maya.

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.

ALMA MATER

The University of Texas at Austin

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.