Olmec Civilization (jan 1, 1200 BC – jan 1, 400 BC)
Description:
Olmec Civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica with La Venta as its capital where the first pyramid in Mesoamerica was built. Many of the religious practices of the Olmecs are carried on by both the Aztecs and the Mayans after its collapse, especially by the Mayans who shared many of the same gods and continued the construction of pyramids for religious practices. There is religious significance given to animals in the Olmec Empire, which carries on into the Mayan religious practices. Among their religious beliefs the Olmecs worshipped a "Sky Dragon" and they believed that the sky was held up by four dwarves that may have represented the four cardinal directions. The fall of the Olmec empire is often times marked by historians by the fall of La Venta around 400 BC although they were considered to be in decline around 1000 BC.
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Religions of Mexico TImeline
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