The Olmec Legacy 

Greetings! Thank you for your work, I really appreciate what youre doing. Im a Mexican Native American and I can tell you with no doubt that the facial features carved on these heads are very native of that region. I have travelled and made friends around and have seen these features in many native peoples. It is not uncommon to have a friend teased because he "looks like an olmeca head". I remember that in my Kickboxing class was a guy from that region, we called him LaMolle because he looked like an olmec head and he seemed to be made of stone, you could counter with jabs and it would get you nowhere, his nose would not bleed, his eye sockets would barely swell, and he would keep fighting. Maybe the olmeca standard of beauty revolved around the rugged features of a warrior.

“Let’s take a moment to thank the Olmecs for helping bestowing chocolate on this cruel world...” *chef kiss*

I am forever impressed by the OLMECS. I remember an exhibition I saw in Moscow on American ART and I immediately fell in love with the Aztecs, Toltecs, Olmecs, Mayas, and Incas. The Americas have produced such wealth and history. I have travelled in Mexico, Guatemala and Peru besides other countries of Latin America and I can't get enough of this history. They were people who left such a legacy for us that we cannot ignore them. May the spirit of those ancient Americans live on for ever.

My Family are indigenous Zapotecs from Oaxaca and some of us have more Maya features and some of us look just like the Olmecs. Sometimes people confuse us for being Polynesian or from the Philippines because of our almond shaped eyes etc.

I have no real connection to ancient Meso-America, but being an artist, I deeply appreciate the complexity of their art, and I think it's beautiful that it is their art by which we remember them. Since my first inquiry into the Olmec, I've been very impressed by those infamous basalt heads: their features are so clearly defined, the carving technique so delicate and precise, and their expressions communicate so much longing and internal struggle, it's hard for me to look away. Perhaps it's projection on my part, but I think that might be the way they would want to be remembered.

I find it sad people arguing over who made these beautiful sculptures, the indigenous population should be allowed to be proud of what their ancestors did. I've seen some of these sculptures in Mexico City at Museo Nacional de Antropología, I suggest anyone start there if you're interested in indigenous Mexican culture.

Interesting fact about the Olmec Heads is that the bottoms are flattened on a slant so that they would be naturally facing upwards towards the sky. I think they should be displayed this way.

Incredible video. My mother's mother came from the mountains of El Salvador. She would often talk about the story from her Great Grandmother's time. She would say they came to be there from another places. The place where the big heads that watched and told stories. You showed the Olmec's area of influence, and it makes sense now. Thank you. I wish my grandma were alive to tell her she was right. She had a small black stone head with the same motifs. It was buried with her when she passed.

Tabasco native here. Thanks for sharing this, I really enjoyed your exposition and tone/delivery. I didn't know Olmecs [possibly] originated that MesoAm calendar. There is a sense of community around the word "Olmec" in my hometown. It's weird because there is little connection with modern "peoples" so it feels like cheap/manufactured 21st century tribalism. Like Italians from Brooklyn that can't speak Italian, no offense. "You're a modern Mexican from Tabasco, not an Olmec, calm down". I saw it in another comment and can corroborate. "He looks like an Olmec head" is a common way of mocking someone's physical looks in Tabasco, even in 2023. That human face, the Olmec -face is still around in Tabasco, maybe a little bit to the south of Veracruz as well. They do not look like your median face from the Yucatan peninsula (Maya) or the Valle de Mexico (Mexica and others).

Mexico is a fascinating place with stunning landscapes!

This is so cool. I studied Mesoamerican culture and art as an anthropology major. I even spent a semester in Mexico in 1980 - what a great experience.

Mexico has such beautiful history

Yes, as a young kid in my native México, I remember these big big stone heads on the roads to Acapulco, Guerrero, on way to visit family with my abuela. Cheers for my people!

As an artist, I'm always amazed by the realism of Olmec statues! Carving lean, well-muscled figures (like those popularized by the Hellenistic Greek era) is already a difficult process. However, I can tell you from personal struggles that adding subcutaneous tissue (fat, etc.) adds an other (literal) layer of difficulty, and is very difficult to master. As with all art, some of the Olmec works are more masterful than others - but compare a Greek Hercules, the Olmec wrestler and a modern-day pro-wrestler or Maori haka performer. It's clear that the Olmec depiction looks much more like a real, fleshy human being that one might meet in life. The fact that these figures are rendered in a medium as tricky as basalt makes it even more amazing. And bear in mind: the Olmec was one of those progenitor societies, with (as far as we know) no preceding tradition of dedicated artistry. Sure, there were people who *made* art - but there was no long-running history of artistic tradesmanship to draw on, as there were for the vaunted Greco-Roman or Egyptian styles. I've always wondered why Olmec art doesn't get more recognition and praise.

My father is from Costa Rica. The natives that I've met have VERY similar characteristics to those head monuments. Very interesting.

I worked with a Mexican about 15 years ago. When I looked at him I knew he was a descendent of the Olmecs. Fat lips and I mean huge lips, fat nose, and Indian Hair. His ancestors come from South Mexico he explained. I believe him

I'm probably one of very few people who finds a previously undiscovered , informative video on the olmecs, and fistpumps and shouts "WOOOO!" like they're at a sporting event.

I just found your channel, and suscribed right away. I'm a mixed mexican from Oaxaca with mostly zapotec blood. Always fascinated about our culture, some of my earliest memories are walking down Monte Albán's buildings, so every opportunity I had over the years old visiting old archeological sites I would take It. I went to architecture school in Central México and I learned more about this ancient native América civilizations. Almost 7 years ago I moved to Cancún and I friend of mine suggested me to start working as a guide in the area, It wasn't a difficult decision to make. I got certified and now I do private and collective tours in places like Chichén Itzá, Cobá, Tulum, Ek Balam, maya communities and more. And everytime It keeps growing the fascination and respect for my people of old. This video is one of the best I have seen about Olmec, thanks for putting a lot of work behind, I do videos myself and I know It really takes lots of sitting hours to come with something as good as this. Maybe we can meet if you come to this area, It would be great talking much deeper about the maya that for sure has a HUGE influence from Olmec.

The quote near the end from Michael Coe really hammers it home. Impactful

My grand father was from vera cruz, mexico..when i see his picture, he, looks like a dark skin apache indian..He later moved to honduras were he, met my grandmother who was from belize.. My grandmother was a mulatto half black, AND half white. My father was born in honduras were he, met my mother, who also has indian features and her skin tone is is triguen~a. Im proud to be born in central america, our ancestors were a great people. Great job, thanks for the video, Blessings...

A Cancun Chechen-Itza tour guide told our group that the chewing gum company Chiclets derived its name from a Mayan, possibly Olmec, word “chi-cle” which is the sound made when they would chew the rubber harvested from the trees. An American businessman that visited Chichen Itza in the 1920’s asked the locals what they had in their mouth & he got the idea of Chiclets from his visit. This is what I remember hearing.

May the legacy of this great ancient civilization never be forgotten. Viva Mexico

As I've seen it being pointed out, a main reason why so many of these ancient cultures had pyramids as a "common theme"... is because it's simply the most stable possible shape in general rather than what those conspiracy/ancient astronaut theorists would claim. Probably figured out by all these cultures without influence from others. As well as figured as a guess by anyone with slightest hint of physics or recalling playing with building blocks.

Thank you for a most entertaining presentation of what could have been a most dry and boring history lesson. You kept it fresh and interesting throughout! Fasinating info and completely new insights of the past! ❤😂😊

I love learning about all of my Native American “brothers and sisters” here in the America’s. Thank you for this video.

I've lived in Tres Zapotes for two years when I was 10. It's still one of my favorite places in the world

Really incredible episode, man. Good job. The Olmecs were absolutely an incredible people, culture, civilization. I recommend the anthropology museum in Mexico city. Mind blowing stuff in there. I could spend entire days in there just looking at all the stuff.

Amazingly succinct considering a vast topic in time. You are easy to understand like having a conversation with a friend. Thanks for your simplicity.

What's fascinating about meso-American civilizations is that while Old World civilizations could borrow and learn from each other, the meso-Americans started from scratch.

A friend of mine is exactly like the statue at 27:27, he´s originaly from Tabasco state, all mesoamerican fenotype, not african. That mouth shape is very comon in south México and Guatemala. Olmecs are fascinating. NIce video.

The Olmec were far more advanced than the Aztec or the Inca. I believe that we have bearly begun to scratch the surface when it comes to discovering their artifacts. I believe that they were here much longer than archeologists think. And I believe that their civilization was spread out over a much greater distance than just one corner of Mexico.

Fun fact, our current president Lic. Andres Manuel López Obrador aka AMLO is native from the state of Tabasco cradle of the Olmecs. He is the only president in our history that came from Tabasco. And he is very popular and beloved among mexicans especially in the southern states such as Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco and Campeche... Vivan los Olmecas!🇲🇽 Y tu canal también por su maravilloso contenido! 👏🏽

So from what I can see the Olmecs where like the Sumerians of America. Once they didn’t have to worry about food thanks to farming they applied their minds to writing, art etc. And the civilizations that came after them build upon their work.

All of those ancient sculptures are breathtaking. Visiting the pyramids in Palenque is like being transported back to those ancient times. The jungle sounds, the mist, it’s a spiritual experience. I’m so proud of my Mexican heritage🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

One of the main reasons that the Olmec culture grew late compared to other civilizations due to various problems. Unlike other civilization areas, Native americans were new arrivals in mexico and it took them many time to settle well in a very unpredictable enviornment. Pre dynastic egypt, for example, was better and more fertile than modern, however mesoamerican lands, even though being better than other areas, is was still a challenging place to due unpredictable fierce rains, volcanoes, flooding and storms etc. Further domestication also must have played an important role in late development since all other cradle of civilizations (except Peru) domesticated burden carrying, and milk and wool providing animals like bovids, goats, sheeps and horses etc, something they lacked; it must have been a problem in early settlement as limited trade (trade plays an important role in development since an area cannot fullfil all needs). External influence is another problem. Even though major civilizations are independently born, still they were influence as one of the best example is that the Egyptian and Indian written language wasn't indeginous to them, that was rather imported! So i think these factors played a great role for the late developement in Olmec civilizations compared to others: 1. More unpredictable and nasty enviornment than those of other civilizations. 2. Late arrival in lands. 3. No good animals to be domesticated. 4. No external influence. If these conditions improved, i believe that they would also rival others in chronology. Anyways, its a more facsinating fact that they and peru, unlike others, grew and developed wholly independently.

Bravo!! Really well researched and presented. Only thing that continues to bother me is why I can’t find well researched videos like this calling out those that continue to claim that the ancient Egyptian civilization is not African.

I remember when I went for my first lesson at university about mesoamerican cultures that I was in awe discovering the symbologies they used and handed down generations after generations influencing the cultures that came after! The underworld concept is so fascinating!

Can't break these olmec nose.

Thanks for your video! I’m fascinated by older and ancient cultures. I want to see how they’re connected to one another as well as to later civilizations.

Very educational and very, very appreciated. Thank you for your efforts!

I've noticed a lot of people from eastern and NE Oaxaca who have features that look exactly like the Olmec heads. I did not notice it so much in Vera Cruz, however, but I've spent much more time in Oaxaca than I have in Vera Cruz. I prefer the food in Vera Cruz and Yucatan to Oaxaca, but I like Oaxacan (Zapotec) art the best.

the americas have such a rich culture and so many people reject it to pretend we're europeans

Im a direct decedent of olmecs, from veracruz

Congrats on your first million views! Great video

AA. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to view and heart everyone's comments and even respond to a lot of them. So awesome of you!

The fact that new and old world agricultural products remained separate until the arrival of Europeans argues convincingly against any sort of pre-Colombian extended contact.

Very insightful information, I watched it to the end. I read some other stuff and you don't seem bias like the others. You had a lot of facts that kept me interested. Thanks you

This is dope!! I’ve been passing this video up for a year or two.. I’ve had it saved in my Watch Later.. Glad I started it.. 9:15

This video made me realise how much I missed learning about mesoamerican history and culture. I was able to see an Olmec carving of the colossal head in the Mexico city museum of Anthropology. It was an overwheming feeling standing next to a sculpture that was so ancient, it was carved with so much precision, you can just tell they paid attention to detail. They were very talented. Thank you so much for sharing this video....ps...I am deeply grateful to them for giving the world corn and chocolate.

This guy does his homework. One of the best, and comprehensive presentation of the Olmec. Thanks!

this video was super helpful plz keep up the good work!😄😄

Your amazing you do such a good job with this very informative you delve into what needs more explanation while also keeping it all yogether and intertaning all at the same time

I like the way you speak about them, it feels like you've very careful not to fall into the eurocentric perception of the Americas, props to you, squad, nice vid.

I used to work with a guy from El Salvador. He looked exactly like those Olmec statue heads. A lot of people noticed this. On a vacation to Mexico who got a tourist souvenir small statue head he kept on his desk. Some naive people thought the thing was sculpted just for him.

Traveling to La Venta Museum in Tabasco in two weeks. Glad I came across this channel beforehand!

Come on man, that could be Jim Brown!

Olmecs, Mayans , Aztecs , Incas , Toltecs , Nazca Lines ,Machu Picchu , Pyramids . Fascinations and Mysteries galore !

I like how you asked questions for me that I didn’t know I wanted to ask or have answers to! Great video!

As a sculptor olmec is a go to forsure..thank you Very much!

Thank you for this, very informative.

The city of Houston was loaned an Olmec head. I remember being amazed at it as it stood in front of the Museum of Fine Art. Sometimes, flowers and offerings were left there. Eventually, it was returned. I miss seeing it still.

Same with the Aztec, that’s not what they called themselves. They were actually called the Mexica, pronounced “Mesheka”.

Very much appreciated this video!

Excellent discussion, I am interested in MesoAmerican history. I'm familiar with the name Toltecs and their sculpted heads but nothing else. Thank you for that information.

Excellently researched, written and produced documentary. Be proud of your work! Signed: Subscribed.

What gets me on that pyramid thing is how, after having the thought about them being influenced by the Egyptian Pyramids, how could you not think 'Wait thats just a really stable and relatively easy base structure for early peoples to build large monuments?' (also where tf does the question mark go there? That hypothetical thought isn't a question, the whole statement about how one wouldn't reason that is.) The sad part is i'm college educated.

Great InfoVideo! Best Regards from Portugal! ❤🇵🇹

What is the most impressive thing is, Meso American cultures did not depend on the Sumerians or Egyptians, they developed on their own (most likely) since they were separated by the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. However it is intriguing that the art style and architecture is very similar to the Egyptians and/or Indonesians.

Great video. I live here in Mex. Thank you for the info. Everytime i pass through that part of Mexico. I always want to slow down and discover more. There are regions that look untouched with jungle that looks impassable from a distance. The locals know everything, of course. Timeless

Want to say... you make very informative videos and I enjoy them a lot very well put together and presented thank you for your hard work and time as many will appreciate them in due time

fun learning!! love the chocolate stories!!

I believe you, it's quite fascinating and mind blowing. Thank you for your contribution towards humans.

Pyramid conspiracies really piss me off, the whole design philosophy is so simple yet genius. The taller a structure the more unstable it is, think about this for more than 5 minutes and anyone should be able to find out the same solution. Taller structures need a wider base... look at a damn mountain if you're still lost... why is a space fairing species so necessary for something so obvious

Your personal observation on chocolate was spot-on!

Such a great video! I love learning the history of my people ❤

Good. Good delivery. And informative.

Great video! For all of you D&D 5E DM nerds out there I am running The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan adventure and I would highly recommend using this video as a resource. Without spoiling anything many topics discussed here make an appearance in the game.

Started with one video ended up watching all you have to offer. Absolutely wonderful content. Thank you for your work.

The truth will set everyone free; we don’t need any more deceit. We are all human beings and need to take care of each other and our beautiful planet.

Wonderful video, thank you!

Great content! Have always been most curious about the Olmec.

I’ve actually been to chalcatzingo very beautiful. the monuments and scenery there are gorgeous.

This is excellent work.

Another great video - much appreciate the Olmec pre- amble to the other Mesoamerican cultures ❤

Thank you for sharing this wonderful message on our history. The Olmec were a very intelligent and creative people with a purpose and destiny.

I love your channel! I'm obsessed with Mesoamerica and your videos are so interesting!

love that not only did they change workd thru farming but thr artwork the fantasy if the were jaguar and the comic book style they carved writing and stories in is amazing.

Excellent presentation.😊

One theory of the ball game is that it was not the losers who were sacrificed but the winners. It is amazing though how widespread the game was. I saw the ball courts in Monte Alban Oaxaca (Zapotec) and in Chichen Itza Yucatan (Maya)

4:59 that is an awesome little sculpture

Thanks for the video

There's a geoglyph of an Olmec Head carved in the ground on the Nazca Plain I found by accident a few years ago on Google Earth. I'm no archeologist but I knew what it was and how odd it was being out of place when I found it. It's got all the classical features of an Olmec Head, facial features and helmet or head covering. Ever since I've wondered why that one was made. It sits to the right of the Hummingbird and left of the Spider, about half way from each, and a little south of the base of the mountain in front of it. But you can only see it in full view on the View Historical Imagery icon set for the date May, 2013. I spent a lot of time on Google Earth looking for things not yet found by mainstream science in Nazca. But to be successful I had to look at different imagery dates or I would never find what I've found so far. Including the Nazca lines and definite remnants that go from the Nazca Plain all the way down, following the Rio Grande to the ocean side cliffs, under the sand.

thanks for including sources. And excellent use of maps thanks it really helps

Their stone art is amazing.

Very, very good Video!!

Really interesting and educating video!

The main problem I always had with theories of transatlantic contact is wheels weren't used in the Americas. If I were to visit a place where people were dragging things around the first thing I would do is say, Hey bud, let me show you how to make that easier.

A very nicely made and educational video! Thank you very much!

Excellent,thank you.

This was a great recap!