The Olmecs are the earliest known major Mesoamerican civilization and lived within the tropical lowlands of Veracruz and Tabasco with what is today Mexico. They left behind massive sculptures such as the colossal heads as well as chocolate that people all love today.
While in Mexico City begin to see the ruins from the Templo Mayor – the huge central temple that was once the heart from the great Aztec town of Tenochtitlan and their empire. If a person visits the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, then begin to see the region's many caves – most of them were sacred towards the Mayans who thought of them as conduits to the underworld.
Exactly what the Olmec Civilization Was
The Olmecs flourished during Mesoamerica's formative period from around 1500 BC to around 400 BC – while pre-Olmec cultures prospered for around a thousand years before that. Note that some sources have differing dates for that Olmecs. They were the very first Mesoamerican civilization that laid many of the foundations for that more familiar civilizations that followed.
It seems that the Olmec were the first to practice ritual bloodletting, the first one to play the Mesoamerican ballgame, and also the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate.
Besides to be the first recognized to create the forerunner of chocolate, the Olmec civilization is known for the "colossal heads". Today Olmec artworks are believed of as among ancient America's most striking. Today one can see these colossal heads around this a part of Mexico as well as in museums.
- Colossal Heads: The Olmec Are Famous For Their Colossal Heads
Most of what's known about the Olmec civilization is dependant on artifacts and never texts which have been discovered. The majority of the artifacts based in the northern half of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec date from 1200 close to 500 AD (dates vary).
The Olmec diet has included foods from fishing and hunting with maize and other crops being added later on. They are famous for their massive monuments that also included thrones, stela (upright slabs), and statues. They also built earthen mounds and pyramids.
Related: All Roads Result in Machu Picchu? Why The Inca Roads Were The Best Within the Americas
Olmecs and Chocolate
Today the beloved chocolate has a 4,000-year-long background and comes from pre-Columbian Mexico. It is believed that the Olmec were the first to make chocolate – but not like every chocolate that we know today. According to Magnum Icecream, the first chocolate was drunk during rituals and used as medicine.
- Chocolate: It's Believed that The Olmecs Were The first one to Make Chocolate
- Medicine: Chocolate Would be a Drink Drunken As Medicine
Centuries later and after the Olmec had disappeared, the Mayans praised chocolate as the drink of the gods. For that Mayans, chocolate would be a revered brew made from roasted and ground seeds they then mixed with water, chilies, and cornmeal. Then they poured it from one pot to another to create a thick foamy beverage.
- The Name Chocolate: From A Mayan Word "Xocolatl" Meaning "Bitter Water"
- Aztecs: Thought Chocolate Was A Gift In the God Quetzalcoatl
The Aztecs for their part considered chocolate as a gift in the god Quetzalcoatl. They drank it as a beverage, as an aphrodisiac, as well as to prepare for war.
- Currency: The Aztecs Used Cocoa Beans as Currency
10 Day Olmec Tour
For individuals who actually want to see the Olmec culture in detail and make it the center of one's trip to Mexico, then Far Horizons includes a 10 Day Oleme Tour. About this tour you will visit the remote sites of San Lorenzo and Chalacatzingo in addition to Xalapa and Mexico City Anthropology Museums.
This tour is led by the renowned art historian Professor Karl Taube who delves in to the deep good reputation for these ancient peoples.
When the Olmec civilization flourished, favorable environmental conditions prevailed in this region. Our prime productivity encouraged population growth and the development of a top-notch class. On this trip, there are the birthplaces of Olmec art including their colossal heads and finely carved sculptures.
A few of the sites visited include inscribed boulders at Chalcatzingo up a mighty cleft volcanic mountain that's way from the beaten tourist track.
- Dates: March 19 – 28, 2022
- Duration: 10 Days
- Cost: $7,695.00 Including Air Fares In the USA
- Limited: Restricted to 14 Participants
Note: The Expeditions Would go to Truly Remote Regions of Mexico And Explores The More Elusive Olmec Sites
Related: This Is What A Cenote Is, And Why You Should Be Visiting Mexico On their behalf
Half-Day Villahermosa Tour with La Venta Museum
Not every tours of the colossal heads need to be expensive. This half-day Villahermosa Tour tours the Park Museum La Venta which has 36 megalithic stone structures encompassed by a zoo with local animals.
- Duration: 5 Hours
- Cost: $129
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Includes: Hotel Pickup and Drop-off and A Driver/Guide
- Admission: Includes Admittance to Parque Museo La Venta and Admission to Yumka
Next: The entire Guide To Visiting The Most Impressive Mayan Ruins In 5 Countries
