The Olmecs
The Olmecs were located in the hot and swampy jungles southern Mexico. Their location made the ancient civilization inaccessible over time, explaining why until recently, we had little knowledge about the Olmecs. The hot and wet climate of the river basin had decomposed many artifacts from their time, making excavation difficult. The climate however, did not hinder them from establishing a profitable trade system along the rivers and was beneficial for farming Maize.
The Chavin
The Chavin were situated in the northern highlands of present-day Peru at the head of the Marañón River Valley. As its cultural influence spread, it grew to encompass the majority of Peru, from present-day Ica in the south to the northern highlands. Living in the Andes Mountains, much of their interaction with the environment involved adapting to the mountainous climate by developing terracing and irrigation for agriculture, as well as herding llamas for transport.
The Olmecs were located in the hot and swampy jungles southern Mexico. Their location made the ancient civilization inaccessible over time, explaining why until recently, we had little knowledge about the Olmecs. The hot and wet climate of the river basin had decomposed many artifacts from their time, making excavation difficult. The climate however, did not hinder them from establishing a profitable trade system along the rivers and was beneficial for farming Maize.
The Chavin
The Chavin were situated in the northern highlands of present-day Peru at the head of the Marañón River Valley. As its cultural influence spread, it grew to encompass the majority of Peru, from present-day Ica in the south to the northern highlands. Living in the Andes Mountains, much of their interaction with the environment involved adapting to the mountainous climate by developing terracing and irrigation for agriculture, as well as herding llamas for transport.