TELEVISION

The Olmecs: Mesoamerica's Mysterious First Civilization

Series: Olmecs: Mesoamerica's Mysterious First Civilization

4.5

(6)

Episodes

Rating

TVPG

Year

2025

Language

English

Publisher

The Great Courses

About

Deep in the heart of ancient Mexico, the Olmecs built a grand civilization between 1800 and 400 BCE. The archaeological remains raise more questions than answers about the origins and legacy of this captivating Mesoamerican culture. How did they carve and carry their famous colossal heads? Why did they live in flood-prone wetlands when better agricultural land was available? How can we unlock the secrets of their written language?

Tackle these questions and more in The Olmecs: Mesoamerica's Mysterious First Civilization. Taught by Dr. Edwin Barnhart, a seasoned archaeologist and director of the Maya Exploration Center, these 12 eye-opening lectures take you on a journey into the past to explore these fascinating people. From the bustling platforms of San Lorenzo to the ritual-rich pyramids of La Venta, you'll discover how the Olmecs shaped and were shaped by trade, religion, and ideology.

Armed with the latest research, you'll consider the Olmec reputation as "Mother Culture" of Mesoamerican civilizations-meaning that other cultures were descendants of the Olmecs. However, the story of ancient Mesoamerica is a much more complex tale of coevolution with neighbors like the Oaxaca and, later, the Maya.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. Evolving Olmec Origins Story

31m

Despite nearly a century of research, Mesoamerica's first major civilization remains an enigma. Your course begins with an examination of the origins, culture, art, and legacy of the Olmec civilization. See how new research into archaeological sites and LiDAR technology has unearthed game-changing discoveries.

2. The Olmec Discovered

31m

Step back more than 150 years to the discovery of a colossal head made from eight tons of basalt in the Veracruz mountains. See how early research, archaeological expeditions, and antiquarian interest established our initial understanding of the Olmecs as Mesoamerica's founding civilization.

3. San Lorenzo

41m

San Lorenzo was the first major Olmec city, which peaked around 1,000 BCE. Known for its colossal heads, elite palaces, and a mysterious decline, San Lorenzo continues to fascinate. Learn what the latest DNA evidence and research into ancient corn production tell us about this city and the broader Olmec civilization.

4. Mesoamerican Mother Culture?

33m

For nearly a century, archaeologists have labeled the Olmecs as a "Mother Culture," out of which sprang other great Mesoamerican civilizations. Here, Dr. Barnhart surveys recent research into contemporary cultures in the Valley of Oaxaca and the Soconusco region, which suggests a "Sister Culture" of mutual influence might be more precise.

5. La Venta

36m

La Venta is the defining Olmec city of the Middle Formative Period of 900-500 BCE. Explore its corn-fueled rise, its great pyramids and private tombs, and trade networks throughout the region. Like San Lorenzo, La Venta amplified the Olmec legacy and shaped Mesoamerican culture until its fall.

6. Olmec Iconography and Religion

36m

Like so much of the Olmec legacy, we can only speculate about the civilization's religion and iconography. In this lecture, Dr. Barnhart shows you a wealth of Olmec art, including stunning half-human, half-jaguar figures. He then walks you through debates over the Olmec pantheon versus shamanism and ancestor worship.

7. Life as an Olmec

38m

A civilization is about more than cities and great buildings. It's about people. Here, step into the daily life of the Olmecs, from elite palaces to common homes. Get to know the vibrant society through its settlement patterns, the corn- and river-driven economy, and hairstyles and clothing.

8. The Western Olmec

43m

Shift your attention from Central Mexico to the western archaeological sites in Guerrero and Morelos. Were these settlements an outgrowth of the Olmecs or merely influenced by them? As you dive into this fascinating debate, you will explore cave carvings, ancient hydraulic systems, and more.

9. Tres Zapotes and the Epi-Olmecs

30m

Journey to the archaeological site of Tres Zapotes, which transitioned from a modest Olmec site to a major Epi-Olmec center around 400 BCE. With a written script, distinctive settlement patterns, and evolving construction, go inside the debate of whether the Epi-Olmecs were a continuation or a new civilization altogether.

10. Epi-Olmec Script

38m

Continue your study of the Late Formation Epi-Olmecs with a deep dive into the Isthmian script. This lecture debunks myths, debates what the written record tells us about the origins of the Zapotecs and the Mayas, and unravels a controversial written text that defies translation.

Extended Details

SeriesOlmecs: Mesoamerica's Mysterious First Civilization

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great CoursesDirector

The Great CoursesProducer

Edwin BarnhartActor