The OlmecsBy Will Coy

General FactsThey were the first main civilisation to come to Mexico and colonise.

It's believed that they first came to Mexico as early as 400 BC to 450 BC.

They started the Mexican culture and have shaped it very much.

The Olmecs made pathways for later civilisations such as the Maya's and mainly the Aztecs.

Olmec HeadsThe Olmecs most famous structures are the colossal heads. There are at least 17 of these heads around Mexico. Some were constructed around 900 BC and some weigh 20 tons. It's believed they were constructed as a way of respect to the gods and a way of worshipping them. They have been compared to the heads that are featured on Easter Island.

ReligionThe Olmecs were strong believers of religion and they showed this with the colossal heads and the human sacrifices they made. The Olmecs constructed Egypt like pyramids that they may of created to please the gods. Like the Aztecs and Maya's everyday they made their peace with the gods. The Olmecs created the base for Mexican religion and culture.

Food And DietThe Olmec people lived a life where they ate plentiful abundances of food. They farmed fruit and vegetables, as well as live stock for meat. As well as this they ate things like snake and resorted to unlikely measures of eating dog in some cases.

Olmec ArtThe Olmec civilisation was full of talented painters and sculptors. These people helped to sculpt and design the colossal head the Olmecs created. They created face masks made out of Jade. As well as this there is evidence of thrones, cave paintings and figurines of gods and great leaders.

The Fall Of The OlmecsThe Olmecs civilisation started to decline around 950 BC.There are many theories as to why it happened but the most probable reason may have been due to a rise in volcanic activity in the area. This caused major climate change and the Olmecs weren't able to cope. But this was enough for The Olmecs to set the pathway for the other civilisations to come to Mexico.