INTRODUCTION TO THE OLMECS
As the earliest civilization in the Central America region, the Olmecs existed around 1200-400 BCE, and created the foundations for the Aztecs and Mayans that came after them. The Olmecs show aspects of African culture, suggesting that they may have migrated from Africa, but this is yet to be confirmed. Nonetheless, the culture of the Olmec permeated Middle America; their complex polytheistic religion was adopted by later civilizations, as well as many of their innovations. The layout of their major cities would be copied by later societies, as well as the calendar they created. Despite the fact that the Olmec civilization vanished mysteriously, their influence lasted for many civilizations.