The Olmec civilization flourished in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico from approximately 1500 to 400 BCE.

It is often considered the 'mother culture' of later Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Maya and the Aztecs.

The Olmecs built major ceremonial centers at sites like San Lorenzo and La Venta.

They are most famous for their colossal basalt heads, massive stone sculptures weighing up to 50 tons, believed to be portraits of their rulers.

Their art also includes sophisticated jade carvings, ceramic figures, and monumental thrones.

The Olmecs likely practiced ritual bloodletting and played a version of the Mesoamerican ballgame.

They developed some of the earliest writing and calendar systems in Mesoamerica.

Their religion featured a pantheon of nature gods, with the jaguar being a prominent and powerful motif.

The Olmec civilization laid the foundation for many of the cultural traits common to the entire Mesoamerican region.

The reasons for their decline are not fully understood but may be related to environmental changes or internal conflict.