10 Major Achievements of the Ancient Olmec Civilization

Some of the most well-known Mesoamerican cultures are the Olmec, Maya, Zapotec, Teotihuacan, Mixtec, and Mexica (or Aztec). The geography of Mesoamerica is incredibly diverse—it includes humid tropical areas, dry deserts, high mountainous terrain, and low coastal plains.

Pre-Olmec cultures had flourished since about 2500 BCE, but by 1600–1500 BCE, early Olmec culture had emerged, centered on the San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán site near the coast in southeast Veracruz. They were the first Mesoamerican civilization, and laid many of the foundations for the civilizations that followed.

• #1 The Olmec were the first great Mesoamerican civilization.
• #2 Olmec civilization produced some of the greatest Mesoamerican artworks.
• #3 They created the most exceptional jade artworks by any Mesoamerican culture.
• #4 They were the first Mesoamerican culture to build monumental sculptures.

The Mayans achievements was astronomy, it was one of the greatest. They knew how many days were in a year and know the fall and spring equinox. They Mayans built their city sound the pyramid of Kukulan. This is where they demonstrated their knowledge of astronomy.

Contributions. The Olmecs were apparently the first Mesoamerican people to fathom the concept of zero, develop a calendar, and create a hieroglyphic writing system. Also, they are credited for the discovery of the first conduit drainage system known in the Americas.

Olmec Culture The Olmec civilization, which flourished from 1200–400 BCE, defines the Pre- Classical period; the Olmecs are generally considered the forerunner of all Mesoamerica cultures including the Maya and Aztecs.

The Maya, for example, brought astronomy, mathematics, calendar making, and hieroglyphic writing, as well as monumental architecture, to their highest expression in the New World.

The Toltecs maintained their power through military and trade empires, and expanded considerable cultural influence across Mesoamerica. They introduced large-scale terraced agriculture, developed higher quality ceramics, and expanded religious practices like human sacrifices.

The Toltec religion surrounded two gods. The first god was Quetzlcoatl, the plumed serpent god. Quetzlcoatl represented many ideas, including, but not limited to, learning, fertility, holiness, gentility, culture, philosophy, as well as good. The second god in the religion was Tezcatlipoca, the smoked mirror.

The advent of the Toltecs marked the rise of militarism in Mesoamerica. They also were noted as builders and craftsmen and have been credited with the creation of fine metalwork, monumental porticoes, serpent columns, gigantic statues, carved human and animal standard-bearers, and peculiar reclining Chac Mool figures.

Quetzalcoatl: Perhaps the most important god to the Toltecs, and probably one of the most well-known Mesoamerican gods, was Quetzalcoatl, the creator god. Quetzalcoatl was the god of the winds, rain, agriculture, crafts, science, and the inventor of the calendar.

The Toltecs were mighty warriors who spread the cult of their greatest god, Quetzalcoatl, to the far corners of Mesoamerica. Evidence at Tula suggests that the Toltecs had a trade network and received goods from as far away as the Pacific coast and Central America, either through trade or tribute.

Originally, there was a majority consensus that the Toltecs militarily exerted power over the Maya and conquered them. This caused a shift in their architectural style, which creates the Toltec-Maya incongruity within the construction of Chichen Itza.

As they traveled southwards, some followers of Ce Acatl Topiltzin seem to have followed his example and adopted the name “Quetzalcoatl” and its Maya equivalents, “Kukulkan” and “Q’uq’umatz”, for themselves.

: a member of a people that dominated central and southern Mexico prior to the Aztecs.

The Toltecs were a major Mesoamerican culture who rose to prominence after the fall of Teotihuacán in approximately 750 A.D. Even before Teotihuacan fell, Chichimec groups in central Mexico and the remnants of the mighty Teotihuacan civilization had begun coalescing into the city of Tula.

Toltec Wisdom is a philosophy or way of life that guides us to unlearn the beliefs, expectations, and agreements that lead to needless suffering and to make choices that lead to personal freedom, authenticity, and happiness. Read more.

The Toltecs were a Mesoamerican people who preceded the Aztecs and existed between 800 and 1000 CE.

Do The Maya Still Exist? Descendants of the Maya still live in Central America in modern-day Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and parts of Mexico. The majority of them live in Guatemala, which is home to Tikal National Park, the site of the ruins of the ancient city of Tikal.

The collapse of the Toltec Empire is enigmatic. According to legends, the city of Tollan was abandoned because of a civil war; however, other possibilities include agricultural and commercial problems, and overcrowding due to continued immigration. In any case, by 1100 CE the Toltec Empire disintegrated.

Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl