AP World History + Art

The region stretching from modern Guatemala to Mexico is known euphemistically as "Meso-America," a term used to link the time period with the other ancient river valley civilizations.  The earliest civilization here was the Olmec, dating to at least 1800 BCE.  Centered in what is now southern Mexico, the Olmec were known for their large stone carvings and an economy based on the trading of maize. They have been referred to as "the Mother Culture" of the Americas.

One of the earliest sites in this area is San Lorenzo, located in southern Mexico.  Here archeologists have uncovered a stone dating from at least 900 BCE that has symbols that might be evidence of the first writing system in the Americas.  Known as the "Cascajal Block," this stone has ignited a controversy in archeological circles regarding its authenticity.

Olmec Carved Head
Public Domain

Although the Olmec, like the early Chinese, also worked in jade, they are most known for their colossal carved human heads.  The identity of these heads are unknown; some speculate depictions of deities, others support the idea that these heads represent rulers. Nonetheless, these heads weigh upwards of 20 tons and are found throughout the region, suggesting the immense importance of the subjects.

These heads were carved from basalt, a common volcanic rock.  In addition to carving huge heads from basalt, the Olmec also carved huge altars and other statuary.  The basalt needed to be quarried and then moved hundreds of miles.

At a site known as La Venta, over 102 basalt heads were discovered.  This site also revealed elaborately carved alters, mosaics and a pyramid.  The imagery found here could later be found in other Meso-American civilizations, such as the Maya and Aztec.

Olmec monument featuring a feathered serpent Photo: George & Audrey Delange Creative Commons

Olmec altar Photo: Ruben Charles Creative Commons

In addition to the Olmec, there was another civilization located in what is now Peru in South America. Like many peoples in the Americas, the Chavin built large stepped pyramids and elaborately carved temples.  Although the Chevin lived high in the Andes Mountains, the inclusion of animals from the Amazon rainforest in their art suggest an extensive trading network in South America.  The Chavin of Peru were skilled stoneworkers and also skilled in metallurgy as well.  The artistic use of gold by the Chavin would be continued later by the Incan Empire.

Chavin gold crown Photo: Pattych Creative Commons

Chevin drinking vessel Public Domain

Raimondi Stela
Photo: Ariadnayteseo
Creative Commons

Made from 7 feet of polished granite, the Raimondi Stela is one of the most important artifacts from the Chevin civilization.  It depicts what is believed to be a deity from the civilization, wearing a headdress of snakes.  The carving represents an artistic technique known as "countour rivalry," where the object can be viewed from different angles resulting in a different images.  When viewed upside down, the deity has two faces.










Points to Remember

• The Olmec created an empire in Meso-America, characterized by large stone carvings of heads.
• The imagery the Olmec created would influence the art in the later empires of the Maya and Aztec
• In South America, the earliest empire was that of the Chevin, known for their metal and stone work 

This concludes the Foundations section.  

Continue to the quiz.

Updated: August 14, 2014

© 2014  Bruce Janu
Bell, Book & Camera Productions