San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán in Veracruz was the earliest known Olmec city north of the Andes, flourishing 1400-900 BCE alongside the later period of Egypt's New Kingdom. This major Olmec center featured a massive artificial plateau rising 160 feet above the alluvial plains, sophisticated basalt drainage systems, and elite complex constructions significantly larger than any contemporary Mesoamerican structure.
San Lorenzo: Earliest City in Mesoamerica Flourished 1300-1000 BCE
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Key facts
- Earliest known city in the Americas north of the Andes
- Occupation evidence from 1750 BCE, flourished 1300-1000 BCE (contemporary with Egyptian New Kingdom)
- Size reached approximately 1,200 acres (500 hectares)
- Features a massive artificial plateau rising 160 ft (49 m) above the surrounding alluvial plains
- Sophisticated basalt drainage systems carved from basalt
- Site museum contains 10 colossal basalt heads and 124 documented sculptures total
- Red Palace elite residential complex was three times larger than any contemporary Mesoamerican structure
- Declined around 1000 BCE, abandoned around 850 BCE
- Many monuments were deliberately mutilated and buried during decline
- Located in Veracruz Mexico
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