Olmec Civilization Emerges Suddenly with No Precursor Era. Agriculture began in Mesoamerica approximately 12,000 years ago in the Valley of Mexico The first domesticated corn stocks were found around the Valley of Mexico on cold mountain sides The Olmec civilization emerges suddenly with no precursor era in the archaeological record around 3000 BC
The Olmec civilization appears fully formed around 3000 BC with no transitional period in the archaeological record, described as the 'big bang' of their world. San Lorenzo emerges as the first major site, yet these people already practiced agriculture begun 12,000 years earlier in the Valley of Mexico. No precursor culture has ever been identified. This sudden emergence remains one of archaeology's great mysteries.
Key Facts
- Agriculture began in Mesoamerica approximately 12,000 years ago in the Valley of Mexico
- The first domesticated corn stocks were found around the Valley of Mexico on cold mountain sides
- The Olmec civilization emerges suddenly with no precursor era in the archaeological record around 3000 BC
- San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán Museum is the first major Olmec site
- Olmec monumental architecture appears fully formed with no transitional period
- This is described as the 'big bang' of the Olmec world with no development phase
Related site: San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán Museum — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Olmec Mystery (Live Presentation) by Luke Caverns