The Olmecs (Olmec Culture of Ancient Mexico)

In this video we'll take a quick look at the Olmec culture that was predominant in ancient Mexico between 1200-500 BCE. The Olmecs were one of the most influential cultures in Mesoamerica and came up with several innovations and artistic styles that influenced their descendants, including the Maya, Zapotec and Aztec civilizations.
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#olmecs #mesoamerica #ancienthistory

[@Alexander_D_Shaffer]

I've always thought it would be cool to make a sprawling epic a la "Lord of the Rings" set in a Mesoamerican rather than European fantasy world.

[@HistorywithCy]

That would be interesting indeed...one of the region's many volcanoes could be Mt. Doom and all of those pyramids...let's say that you'd have more than just two towers to choose from. Thanks for stopping by, stay safe!

[@Daveomabegin]

That would be AWESOME 😊

[@someinteresting]

The books under the Rick Riordan Presents brand try to feel this gap in fantasy. Yes, it is children's literature but it is a beginning of sorts.

[@rabidspatula1013]

Adrian Tchaikovsky 's "The Tiger and the Wolf" has some Aztec inspired cultures in it as well, along with others.

[@coolepicperson4150]

Wouldn't a lord of the rings esque epic based on the wandering of the Mexica be brilliant?

[@samuelmonroy_05]

Thank you so much for speaking of indigenous American people and their culture

[@HistorywithCy]

My pleasure, glad you liked it! More to come, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@ancientruins2856]

@@HistorywithCy - Hi Great work. Are the so called OLMECS of ancient African or ancient Asian decent depictions. Thanks

[@pbransome626]

@@ancientruins2856 we never came from Africa...we are the original ancient American we are the original autochthonous melenated copper tone American aborigine Indians of turtle island A.k.A the Americas the ancient Atlantians also had dark melenated skin the original Mayans Aztecs Incas and Olmecs where us we have the and are the oldest civilization here on the planet we taught the Africans and the world everything

[@macarde10]

Ancient Ruins no, they depict the people who still live in the area. They have the wide noses seen on the Olmec heads.

[@TheDonnielucas]

@@pbransome626 Sorry its proven they was from Africa try studying

[@andyzhang7890]

Mesoamerica, Mesopotamia, and South East Asia are some of my two favourite regions to learn about, and I feel we don’t give these places nearly enough love. Thank you for this great video.

[@chibiromano5631]

Tecemuseh is also underated af. The Iriqouis and Algonquin are some of the most underated bits of history i know of as a Nahautl Otomi. The Iriqouis story would be like if all of humanity united to fight against an alien force and then there are some human factions that side with the Aliens. Then you find out that the Aliens aren't united and that there are 3 competing alien factions and so you try to side with the rival one and try to learn their ways to advance humanity, start adopting their weapons into your system and you have to do it fast. In the end a 4th alien faction that rebeled against the other 2 finally goes in for the kill and then places all of humanity in concentration camps. It reminds me of the The Meji restoration era except w/ o the genocide. Here is a quote from Tecumseh . “So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and Demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, Beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and Its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, Even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and Bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and For the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, The fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing, For abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts Are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes They weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again In a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” ― Chief Tecumseh

[@robokill387]

Also, pre-contact north America and sub-Saharan Africa. They both had extensive civilisations that most non-indigenous westerners know nothing about.

[@something1600]

@@robokill387 Yeah, they should be more known.

[@lynnwoodcarter3486]

Yea because they were black civilizations

[@firstladychosen186]

​@@lynnwoodcarter3486 Exactly 💯

[@patricksanders858]

When I was 11, my family took a trip to Mexico City and there I discovered the Olmecs preceded the Aztecs in Mexico. So Imagine the suprise when I correctly told my school teacher that she was incorrect that the Aztecs were the first inhabitants. And my Mom backed me up when she was called in! Hahahah!

[@ryangoobster4573]

The Olmec where the Jaredites in the Book of Mormon. They came to America after the tower of Babel. It details how their existence came to an end. Archaeologists don't know how this happened but it is explained in the book. More specifically the book of Ether.

[@lopezfamily0911]

omg thats cool so you can learn more informashen there

[@juanmarquez9729]

@@ryangoobster4573 shut up 🤣

[@asianthor]

If this story is true, which I highly doubt it, I cannot believe that a history teacher would say that the Aztecs were the first inhabitants in mexico. The first inhabitants were hunters and gatherers, so this is why I doubt your story. What history teacher wouldn't know that the first inhabitants of all the Americas from the tip of Alaska to the bottom tip of Argentina were hunters and gatherers. I also highly disbelieve that your history teacher would not know that the Maya, Zapotec, Teahuacanos, and other people from what today is mexico came before the Aztecs in mexico. Even the Olmec civilization had predecessors themselves as well, maybe not from the land that today is mexico, but from the land that today is Guatemala, those people came even before the Olmec, they are for the moment known as Pre-Olmec and the Monte Alto Culture of Guatemala.

[@deathdecorvid9926]

The olmics were a small tribe of Caribbean African immigrants who occupied the area before Aztec or Mayan tribs, but they were not dominate enough to keep going and others either adopted them or killed them. Which is why we don't hear about them at all.

[@rustymontanez]

The amount of quality content you release is absolutely astounding!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate them. More come soon...stay safe!

[@afz902k]

@@HistorywithCy hi! Would be really cool if you could do a video about mesoamerican warfare, going into as much detail as possible about all the types of weapons and technology that were used, and how the armies were structured. Mentioning it here since this is your most viewed video about Mesoamerica ;)

[@juliang4874]

I love your videos, as a ethnic Purepecha(Michoacán), I really appreciate the depth you put into this video. There is so much to delve into Mesoamerican cultures with great figures like Ce Acatl Toplitzin Quetzalcoatl (toltecs) or Itzcoatl (Aztecs). I’d love to see more content on pre-Colombian societies, including The Inca and those that predate them. You can totally do them justice, thank you Edit: I accidentally confused Purepecha for Taumara, stupid mistake on my part

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much for stopping by and your suggestions... I'm actually looking into all of those for future programs. Stay tuned and stay safe!

[@AnahuacEncyclopedia]

Mesoamerica is a name Europeans and Western scholars made-up. As many things, they try to tell historiography from a Eurocentric point of view. Perpetuating words like Mesoamerica is to continue the colonial legacy. But hey, scholars and history “lovers” to tell lies about us and even try to erase our identity by creating new ethnicities like “hispanic” or “latino”.

[@jswhosoever4533]

@@AnahuacEncyclopedia staunch rebuke with no info...pointless and rude. So, what do the peoples native to this land call them?

[@xanv8051]

My father is from michioacan i wonder if we are Taumara any advise to confirm ???

[@juliang4874]

@@xanv8051 no, we are Purepecha, I really don’t know what in me wrote Taumara, the Taumara were in Chihuahua I believe, my bad. I took a DNA test and checked old records because of a school project, but people from Michoacán are generally indigenous so there’s a possibility!

[@FlyingDutchGirl1998]

Olmec masks, heads, mini-statues and other artifacts have been found as far south as Costa Rica. Mexicans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans all have Olmec heritage.

[@anakinvader9120]

Wrong

[@hhenderson7259]

Ancient black presence

[@scruffmuffin4802]

Olmecs was black people Period

[@DEATHXWISH924]

@@scruffmuffin4802 😂😂😂😂 you and me both know thats a lie

[@nefrod8799]

You might be thinking of the .."Toltecs"

[@danyielsays4621]

My family is from Veracruz Mexico and I love studying and finding out about my culture and my ancestors

[@firstladychosen186]

The Olmecs are not your ancestors 🤷

[@FireObsidian]

@@firstladychosen186 How not , they l literally occupied that region

[@cityofangelsdriven7179]

@@firstladychosen186 The Olmecs weren't Black africans, Stop begging and love your self. You people have only been in this continent 400 years thanks to the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.

[@andradeb2695]

​@@firstladychosen186We Wuz Kangs and Shat!! First you try to take credit for other people's cultures now you take Romeo and Juliet from us? You Culture Vultures don't stop do you

[@Daveomabegin]

YES! I LOVE ANCIENT AMERICAN HISTORY!! 😁😁😁😁

[@HistorywithCy]

Me too... thanks for stopping by, stay safe!

[@anacarolinanogueiragoncalv7949]

It is really nice of you to make videos about different cultures. Your work always amazes me

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate them! More to come, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@JustWill6969]

It's like this channel has been tailor-made to cover every culture that interests me

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks for stopping by and glad that you liked the video. More to come, stay safe!

[@alejandrorangelcontreras5522]

This is not only for México, I know, but I hate seeing ancient objects in foreign museums. Great video by the way. I bet you are planning to make a video about the mexicas.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks for stopping by and glad you liked the video! Yeah, for the most part I agree with you, but in some cases, for example with regard to Babylonia, Assyria, even Greek and Roman artifacts from the mid east, it might be better that they're in a museum to prevent their destruction. I still remember the horrific images of the taliban blowing up buddhas and the destruction Isis did to places like Palmyra and Nineveh. The museums in Mexico though... fantastic! The Museo Nacional de Antropologia is definitely one of a kind. I plan to visit once this quarantine is over. And yes, I can't wait to the cover all of the other great ancient Mesoamerican cultures - Maya, Zapotec, and of course the Mexica. Thanks again and stay safe!

[@alejandrorangelcontreras5522]

@@HistorywithCy awesome ;), do not forget to visit the museum of El Templo Mayor and if you can, you should visit Teotihuacán, it is a couple of ours from the capital city. Stay safe and God bless you all ;)

[@HistorywithCy]

@@alejandrorangelcontreras5522 Oh definitely... they're on my list! Thanks so much for the suggestions, I really appreciate them...stay safe!

[@khaccanhle1930]

If it had not been for rich foreigners going into these poor areas to research and preserve these old monuments, they would have all been chopped up for building stone by local peasants. Then you wouldn't have any artifacts in foreign museums to complain about. You should be thanking them for saving your culture from the ignorant locals.

[@amparocruz951]

Khắc cảnh lê But the thing is Us Mexicans Love our culture so we would not be ignorant enough to do that, The Europeans stole most of our treasures from us, and most Olmec Heads and statues were discovered by Locals, our people love our culture and would never destroy our treasures to make buildings.

[@jstwntmusic]

Thank you so much for this video, it's the most I've learned about the Olmecs, and photos of artifacts I've never seen before.

[@HistorywithCy]

Glad to you hear, and thank you for stopping by, I really appreciate it! More to come, stay safe!

[@Ty-Dix]

I asked and you answered! Thank you and stay safe!

[@HistorywithCy]

Happy to oblige! Thank you my friend...stay safe!

[@frisco9568]

Afro Mexican

[@garybenavidezii5904]

Thank you !!! That was the most comprehensive video I have seen on this civilization.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, glad you liked it... more on Mesoamerica to come, stay safe!

[@kaiadams3636]

Awesome vid. As always love the aesthetic of your presentations, really helps me retain information better. Very excited to see you beginning to dive into Mesoamerican Cultures. Potential ideas for future vids: groups like the Aztecs / Mexica, Toltec, Tarascans, Tlaxcala, Mayans, cities like Tenochtitlan and Teotihuacan. Gods and religious practices, etc. Looking forward to see more Mesoamerican videos in the future.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks so much for stopping by and for the great suggestions! I have plans for several of them in the not-so-distant future. Glad that you also like the format of the videos...comments like that make my day. More on Mesoamerica to come for sure, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@jomar6940]

Brother, kudos - this is fantastic. A bit zonked from running the ICU floor tonight, one beer in and with adhd, but i was still able to follow easily and legitimately stay stimulated. Great overall summation of this mysterious civilization, great decision on what aspects to delve into and for how long, and great music, delivery and visual aids. I feel i now know enough to at least participate in a conversation on the subject. cheers.

[@jeffczermanski2993]

I swear you are watching my search history. I start looking something up, and bam! You have a video about it. Great.

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha then this much be the channel for you! Glad you found the video useful. As always, thanks for stopping by and stay safe!

[@adrianzone155]

I come from Tabasco, and it's super cool other people talk about Olmecs not only the mayas, as we have our own antique civilization too..

[@relaxbro5605]

Just subbed! Love this channel!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks my friend, appreciate the kind words... more to come, stay safe!

[@thatguy464]

I'm new to this channel and so i don't know if you have discuss other native American civilization. But as recommendation you should also talk about norte chico, as well, its contemporary to ancient Egypt, nubia, Mesopotamia, and india, in terms of its age. Its arguably the first native American civilization, even older then the olmacs. Also i recommend the north American civilization like the Mississippi culture particularly the cahokia or the mound builders not to mention puebloans culture/civ like mesa verde and Pueblo Bonito. They were lots of complex civilization in north America prior before European settlers. And more mesoamerican civilizations like monte alban and Teotihuacán. The Aztec are usually more popular and can make people overlook other important civs in that Region.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks so much for stopping by and the suggestions. I will definitely look into all of those as I do want to put out some content on various groups of Native Americans and also Meso- and South America. Hope that all is well on your end ... stay safe!

[@thatguy464]

@@HistorywithCy Same for you well. Stay safe and healthy and keep up the great work. You make great videos on historical topics and certain events and places in the world that most people don't go into. It is very appreciative.

[@therealamericans1718]

Keep up the good work👍

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the kind words. More to come, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@rodolfogonzalez724]

Excellent video by the way

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it! More to come soon, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

Quite interesting subject. Thank you for your efforts.

[@HistorywithCy]

My pleasure, thank your for stopping by!

[@AtunSheiFilms]

I was behind on my Cy viewing so getting caught up now. Love the Near East videos of course but this is a nice change of pace! Embarrassed to say I know next to nothing about the Olmecs and this was super enlightening.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hey, great to hear from you...thank you, glad you liked it! Haha yeah, branching out for the altruistic reason of releasing content that my viewers want along with the selfish one of trying to expand my fan base. No but seriously, I'm into all history and though I've spent the most time studying Near Eastern stuff, I actually really enjoy learning about the history of the Americas... especially colonial history. But really, I'm into it all. Anyway, hope all is well where you're at...stay safe my friend!

[@fuferito]

Atun, thanks for suggesting this channel. I'm glad I checked it out and I'm glad I subscribed.

[@Emcee_Squared]

Great video! Always love learning about the Olmecs, the Rubber People (according to the Aztecs).

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much for stopping by again, I really appreciate! We'll discuss the Aztecs soon as well! Stay tuned and stay safe!

[@parislanderson]

Great see that we all came from black African people.

[@Emcee_Squared]

Blubber trees

[@Emcee_Squared]

Blubber Where are rubber trees found? Hevea brasiliensis is a species of rubberwood that is native to rainforests in the Amazon region of South America, including Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. These trees are generally found in low-altitude moist forests, wetlands, riparian zones, forest gaps, and disturbed areas.

[@jr.solaris253]

Killian, no we dont

[@MariaCKouto]

Interesting video. Thanks 😊

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words! Stay safe!

[@ancienthistorygaming]

I really like the music, I watched this a while back but I like rewatching history videos

[@lopezfamily0911]

thank you so much you dont know how hard it is to find amazing vids like this !! U^U

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks so much, I'm really glad you liked this...not too many people into the history of ancient Mexico and central America so thrilled that you stopped by. Will do more on the Maya in the next month or two. Thanks again, stay safe!

[@lopezfamily0911]

@@HistorywithCy ikr some people dont see how cool stuff like this is hopefully in the fucher they will understand how cool this stuff is and you to stay safe

[@hmsdemolition8588]

Hi cy , yes thank u for sharing other cultures with us.

[@HistorywithCy]

Always my pleasure my man, really appreciate you stopping by and glad that you enjoy these! I'll do more on ancient Americas soon, stay tuned and safe!

[@nomeremannthetameruinkhan]

well done. just 12 seconds in. you've done some good work so i respectfully thank you. please keep em comin.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, really glad you enjoyed it and no worries, more on ancient civilizations of the Americas to come! Stay safe!

[@benjamingonzalezjr7021]

Very interesting bro, I really enjoyed it. Thx

[@HistorywithCy]

Awesome, I'm glad! Thanks so much for stopping by, I really appreciate it. More on Mesoamerica to come, stay safe!

[@HVLLOWS1999]

Thanks Cy!

[@HistorywithCy]

My pleasure, stay safe!

[@matterhorn731]

I don't know if I'd never seen the heads with humans for scale or just had forgotten, but... wow they're big.

[@HistorywithCy]

That they are...colossal as they say. Thanks for stopping by, stay safe!

[@robbabcock_]

Thanks for a great overview of a little-known but important civilization that sprang up in our backyards!

[@HistorywithCy]

My pleasure, glad you liked it... more on our backyard, the Americas, to come! Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@sukhrajkaurgill9056]

Thank u 4 making d video, a great help

[@abthedragon4921]

Olmecs!? Nice, they are a mysterious civilization but that's partially what makes them so cool. That and those collosal stone heads.

[@HistorywithCy]

Yeah, agreed. Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it...more to come soon, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@ryangoobster4573]

The Olmec where the Jaredites in the Book of Mormon. They came to America after the tower of Babel. It details how their existence came to an end. Archaeologists don't know how this happened but it is explained in the book. More specifically the book of Ether.

[@BigFists2024]

@@ryangoobster4573 no book of mormon is fake afk

[@sdrawkcabUK]

The Lapita culture in the Pacific would be an interesting lesser-known one to do... there are various archaeological remains on the some of the islands (I forget which... maybe Micronesia).

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks for stopping by. Definite a lesser known culture... I myself know nothing about them but I'm willing to look into it for sure. Thanks for the suggestion! More to come, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@coolepicperson4150]

History with Cy There are a few books detailing pretty completely the culture of the Proto-Oceanic speakers, which were Lapita. The Lexicon of Proto-Oceanic volume 1-5, which are part dictionary part ethnography.

[@noahlogue3807]

Good job Cy.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, appreciate the kind words... more on the way, stay tuned and safe!

[@mosesolsonmd4063]

Great video.

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you!

[@MrAlexanderrangel]

I feel like a type of mesoamerican renaissance is happening online and in Mexico / USA. I'm here for it af

[@HistorywithCy]

That's awesome! Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!...more on Mesoamerica to come! Stay safe!

[@MakaveliRaider]

Yeah we need to know more about Mesoamerica. It's very fascinating.

[@AnahuacEncyclopedia]

The renaissance would be from us and not from those who came and told lies about us.

[@MrAlexanderrangel]

@@AnahuacEncyclopedia It is coming from us. we are the ones actively challenging and destroying misconceptions about our ancestors and restoring pride to our heritage.

[@karlabird835]

🌵Hola Cy garcias tu video me encanto🌵🙋‍♀️be safe

[@HistorywithCy]

Hola Karla, great to hear from you! I hope you and your loved ones are doing well during this crazy time. As promised, I will continue to do more on Mesoamerica/Latin America...stay tuned and stay safe my friend!

[@sjoerdjuxta]

awesome stuff

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you!

[@stephenmichalski2643]

Great work as usual......hope you cover them all.......I haven't really studied them.......stuck in Mesopotamia too much.......but their certainly a trip......and since we're talking about "heads" here......really hope you do a vid on who the hell did the heads on Easter Island.Thanks again for all you do......always excellent and inspiring !

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you for stopping by and hope all is well on your end...stay safe!

[@Prollynotluke]

our teacher makes tests out of these and we watch your videos in our history class

[@HistorywithCy]

Oh wow that's awesome...thank you...and your teacher! Stay safe!

[@jackmenendez4519]

For the record, the actual pronunciation of Mexico is Me-shee-ko. It got changed as the result of the Spanish invasion.

[@tomtimcik4264]

I’m a history enthusiast, and I’ve always found precolumbian cultures to be fascinating.

[@HistorywithCy]

Me too... I went to Mexico City last month and was just blown away but all the amazing things I saw in the National Anthropology Museum...you must visit it if you're interested in the precolumbian cultures of Mesoamerica, it's one of kind. Thanks for watching and more on the way!

[@paulannable3734]

Cy! You’ve just made me a very happy man.

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha thanks, I'm happy that this contributed to your happiness. More on this part of the world to come. As always, thanks for stopping by, stay safe!

[@agrarianyeti8134]

The Olemecs definitely had a major impact on the Maya and Huastec(Northern Maya), the long count is one example as well as artistic style. Teotihuaucan is a likely candidate for cultural mother in the Mexican highlands. Also, the Zapotec and Mixtec had early, unique and enduring societies as well. I'm sure the Olemecs at least inspired the centralization of neighboring cultures. Who knows, maybe they are the ancestors to the Maya?

[@historysmysteriesunveiled8043]

They were negroid though, not Asiatic. They did copy their religious ways

[@xander2011]

@@historysmysteriesunveiled8043 LOL just go to Qiché, Sololá, Petén, Huehuetenango to find out that amerindians have indeed round face, big lips and wide nose such as the olmec heads, Olmecs nor any civilization of America weren't black africans.

[@timasuna1756]

@@historysmysteriesunveiled8043 negroid is of Africa my guy 🤣 stop the pathetic lies

[@movingforward2570]

It's not only mexico the whole America's including the Caribbeans

[@wooloo2522]

I have to watch this for school and I glad :)

[@buddhaboy6017]

Hello to all... I live in the island of Hispaniola and have found a 6ft statue of that diety with the split in the middle of the head. I found it in the midst of the jungle next to a creek. Noone else knows its there. I will be exploring the site furthermore. Seems they migrated here then became Tainos. Great vid.

[@michaelel8602]

Ya'll think we left but we are still here Lmbao ✊🏿💯

[@Mictlan84]

😂😂🤦‍♂️

[@joelmartinez2391]

Wut? Nope, Olmecs weren't African.

[@DC_R]

Tell Em Bruh ✌😁

[@DC_R]

@@joelmartinez2391 😏 How Is It That The Only Olmec Statue Without A Helmet Has A Big.... Fat.... AFRO? How Is It That The ETHIOPIAN SEA Is Now Called The Atlantic Ocean? How Is It That The Olmecs Were There Before The Incans Or Mayans Even Stepped On The Scene? How Is It That The Olmecs Used Paper/Papyrus To Write On? How Is It That The Influence For The Myayans To Write Came From The Olmecs? How Is It That The Incans Didn't Even Develop A Writing System? How Is It That EGYPT Is The Birth Place Of The Papyrus AKA Paper? How Is It That And Last But Not Least.... The Statue Of OSIRIS Laying Down Facing Forward & The Olmec Statue Without His Helmet On Clearly Have The Same Neck Position At 90 Degrees?

[@joelmartinez2391]

​@@DC_R 1) First of all, the sculpture you mention is a howler monkey statue. You can Google images of other Olmec figurines, masks, etc, that depict Native American facial features such as broad nose, big cheekbones, straight hair, and more. 2) It was called "the Ethiopian sea" because there was a set of territories that were called Ethiopia (unrelated to the modern country), bordering the Atlantic Ocean. 3) Experts have no evidence to confirm the Olmecs used something similar to the paper for writing. And stop saying papyrus because it isn't. 4) Until now, we don't have enough information to say that the Incans never developed a writing system, in fact, they developed something similar called "Quipus". In case you don't consider it a writing system, this answer is for you: Because they didn't and never had a need to, simple. 5) Egypt is the birthplace of the papyrus (which is different from the paper), and?... 6) It's called coincidence, why don't you realize the multiple differences that both sculptures have? Like the position of the arms, in the anatomy, the facial features, the hat (nemes) of Osiris, the material with which both are made, and so on.

[@ReinholdOtto]

Thanks for this! Is the specimen of writing shown at 3:00 Olmec or Maya? The number glyphs there look like Maya digits.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi Joachim, thanks for stopping by! Yes, though it is similar to Maya writing, they are actually believed to be Olmec and the first time a Long Count date appears on any monument. Any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks and stay safe!

[@hugogamboa3675]

Olmec in true context

[@atendriyadasa6746]

Thanks!!

[@dazelid447]

Awesome video- thank you for helping me with my homework haha! Also, I think the spelling for the languages at 8:23 are "Mixe" and "Zoque" no? I was a bit confused by how the subtitles spelled it.

[@crescat6244]

I really enjoy watching your videos! Are you studying history at university or is it just a personal interest of yours?

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it! Some of ancient Near Eastern history I studied in college, but not of the Americas. It is mostly a deep, personal interest/obsession. I've really be interested in ancient and medieval history ever since I was in middle school, though initially I was on another career path. Now with KZbin, I'm so thrilled that I can make videos that others can learn from as well. Thanks again for stopping by! More to come, stay tuned and stay safe!

[@johngergen4871]

My Anthropology class notes on the Olmec civilization:1. The name Olmec means “Rubber People”. They knew how to make rubber and were the first to use a ball as a game in Mesoamerica. 2. Planned settlements: ceremonial centers, stone sculptures, first great cities in the new world. 3. Slash and Burn Cultivation. 4. Theocracy: Sun and Rain Gods, Priesthood. 5. Ball Court: first ball game. Population: 20 to 25,000. 6. Specialized trades: stone cutting and sculpture.

[@robertcarmona9212]

Gracias!

[@HistorywithCy]

de nada!

[@vazak11]

So cool!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed this!

[@DarDarBinks1986]

Do the Mississippians next!

[@HistorywithCy]

I don't know but next, but eventually I'll get to them...want to also cover peoples a bit closer to home! Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@r0b546]

I'm glad you mention this is Meso American people and not African people. Those Afrocentric people are getting annoying trying to take credit of Native Meso American cultures.

[@raythomas2502]

@Palpatine McSenateFace Your writing and have language thanks to the ancient ones, neanderthal !

[@mexicanforgolovkin2734]

It's sad it's like their actual ancestors arent sufficient for them, as if they dont deserve to be proud of. Then they hijack other people's cultures with bullshit arguments from the likes of sertima and other quacks. They view everything only through the limited scope of their own ethnicity and claim it to be superior. They are as nonsensical as the eurocentrists and just about as racist

[@maxdaly8185]

These guys were Asian, and part of a cross-culture, multigenerational quest to map the world. Ancient S.E. Asians were really into jade, and similar jade Jaguar figures from 2000bc have been found near Tibet.

[@lemardogonzalez1575]

Good video, keep the good work, maybe you cover mesoamericans from Honduras,Nicaragua,Costarica in the future.

[@HistorywithCy]

Yes, have plans to do a lot more on Central and South America... stay tuned and thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it. Stay safe!

[@jesussaves1875]

2:48 "Bug ate my flower, Bug ate my veges... tried stabbing them to death and killed the carrot instead"

[@musardus]

100% correct!

[@MikeMrASR]

It's a shame to see a lot of artifacts of my ancestors on foreign museums and auctions 😔

[@Eluzian86]

Some evidence found in Michigan indicates possible Olmec trade, as well as at Poverty Point Louisiana that which was a kind of hunter-gatherer trading hub. The Pacific Ocean currents would also allow for ships to travel between Mesoamerica and Ancient China around Beijing without the need of sails.

[@zahrotin1750]

Thanks for this video! It helped me with my school work and I've learned a lot about it!

[@HistorywithCy]

You're very welcome, glad it helped! Good luck and stay safe!

[@ihatecheapcigs6545]

Another wonderful video about our Earth's history!! Only to be ruined by those in the comments section claiming "we wuz olmecs, hebrews, vikangs, changs, spartans n shit!"

[@MichaelJohnson-ik9vi]

I'm a native American. Thanks for a great video

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you for stopping by, I really appreciate it! More on Mesoamerica to come, stay safe!

[@emmanuelake421]

Indians are from India, not America

[@kingdeecash0074]

@@emmanuelake421 well they called them "Indians " cause they were as dark as the people from "India " knowledge is power.

[@chicanochronicles8124]

@@z9648 You mad 😂

[@RR-ri4vn]

@@kingdeecash0074 lies

[@colonelweird]

Looking at those giant heads is a strange experience - I keep thinking they look like they were drawn by Jack Kirby.

[@lopezfamily0911]

now i dont need to fly back to time to learn thank you!!!

[@HistorywithCy]

Thank you!

[@Dunno1999]

Love it! Please do Chinese history starting from Neolithic era, especially Shang Dynasty which is my favorite!

[@Guillotier]

Yes please do more Mesoamerican videos. And maybe some other indigenous North American and South American later

[@HistorywithCy]

For sure, plans to do so. Thanks for stopping by, stay safe!

[@abdirevandio1687]

Surabaya city, the capital city of East Java Province, in Indonesia has crocodile and shark in its city coat of arm, tightly tied to mystical creatures in legend that related to the creation of the city.

[@krono5el]

Feel like the Olmec and Maya were one in the same with intermingling and maybe assimilation while growing together.

[@wfcoaker1398]

Well, they were a root culture that came up with things later cultures used. Kind of like how we use Babylonian 60 seconds to a minute, or consider that Greek and Roman myths are our own, or use the Latin alphabet, or give scientific things Greek names. At what point do we consider that a culture that went before us isn't us? Same with the Central American people. Same with all people. We're a human beimgs, after all,

[@marlonb2804]

Two different time periods in life. People don't understand time and space.

[@clashofthehornsofficialytu2082]

Bro im mexican and dont even know olmecs all we know was maya and aztecs, thats sad

[@vatolocosforever803]

You really want to learn about the olmecs then listen to the Mexicans speaking on it..

[@joebrown9895]

Maya and aztecs are no better then when whitey

[@clashofthehornsofficialytu2082]

@@joebrown9895 what, im curious

[@marshallmartin210]

The Kogi Tribe also practices a spiritual underlife.Spending years living in a dark Cave,learning a naturally given intelligence from the Earth.

[@d.l.l.6578]

At 6:34 I think it is a carving of a modern astronaut.

[@ruthnovena40]

This was well done there is a pre Inca civil. called the Chavin 900 - 200 BCE Some believe that have a lot in common with the Incas. I just ran across them in some of my readings.

[@HistorywithCy]

Hi, thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it! Yeah I've heard the name but don't know much about it...I'll look into it for sure. Thanks again and stay safe!

[@magikurp2]

Everything post-chavin in the Andean region (at least within the modern day borders of Peru and neighboring border areas) has something in common with Chavin, it's impossible not to. Caral in Peru was the first city and civilization of South America, but Chavin was the first high culture of the Andes. Chavin had a complex religion and an easily identifiable distinct art style that influenced other cultures and empires that followed. (this style emerged before the height of Chavin, for example in the Cupisnique culture, but was perfected and spread the most by Chavin).

[@d.m.collins1501]

Do the Olmecs get a mention in any of the Mayan writings, either in the Popol Vuh or the four codices, or the writing on temples, etc?

[@user-db7vy8sf2h]

And how about the Olmecas-Xicalanca of Cacaxtla? They are related with Olmecs?

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

dude, this is cool

[@HistorywithCy]

Thanks, appreciate the kind words...more to come, stay safe!

[@oriffel]

ysss! more Omlects. and other old old stuff. Damn vikings seem to get all the attention. but this stuff is so much more fascinating.

[@HistorywithCy]

Glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by! More of the same to come in the next few months...stay tuned and stay safe!

[@joebrown9895]

Yes . whitey always does because we are more important

[@Sarke2]

Olmecs statues were always interesting to me, they look outerwordly even to some degree reminds me on Rapa Nui in Polynesia

[@afrosteppersafroasianblasi3284]

@@z9648 How can a statue be a color? Your knowledge makes no sense at all.

[@husambotros3958]

What.. no hand bags!!!..LOL Another fertile crescent but this time in Mesoamerica. Thanks for sharing the knowledge with us CY.

[@HistorywithCy]

Haha no...the Assyrians traveled far for trade and conquest, but they never quite made it to the Americas. Interesting though if they did and set up trading colonies like those in Kanesh. Thanks again for stopping by! Stay safe!

[@husambotros3958]

@@HistorywithCy i was only kidding i know there's no connection and i already know what a Banduddu is.. Stay safe yourself as well.

[@wingnut4217]

When you ignore the elephant in the room you omit the obvious since the Olmec heads are about the size of an elephant. While looking at the two would suggest they both came from the same region of the world.

[@ernie6590]

How can you do carbon dating on a stone?.....I believe the statues are much older and many cultures were their ..the older culture was the most advanced

[@macarde10]

You can’t. So dating will be based on association with the archaeological sites that they are located at as well as materials that may have been buried there.

[@caimccray7]

“Due to the limited amount of records because they were destroyed by Europeans” lol Spaniards to be exact.

[@HistorywithCy]

Yup, that's true. Thanks for stopping by, stay safe!

[@GianlucaGallo]

Although this is true about later cultures contemporary to the conquest by spaniard, the Olmec era is so mysterious due to how old it is

[@kevinhayes6933]

Cai Mccray look what they did with the Mayan bark books , destroyed all their written history

[@David-bf6bz]

The flip side they did a vast amount of documentation in a format we can understand today.

[@GianlucaGallo]

@@David-bf6bz Yes mostly the calendar, which is so accurate

[@Angie2343]

0:00 Name of music?

[@lopezfamily0911]

THANK YOU SO MUCH now i dont have to speend 2020-2039 years looking for my awnsers XD tahnk you so much!!!!

[@HistorywithCy]

My pleasure, thank you!

[@jjbentley9]

Why do so many people think there black. I mean it could just be a way they did there art and plus look at the natives of Hawaii other places. Is there any DNA testing results that has confirmed they are black or was etc. Just asking seen alot of butt hurt black people upset about it

[@jesus-cx5ox]

Idk if you’re active but I need you to answer this !! Ik Olmecs are gone but what did they turn into after ? Like a byproduct, are Olmecs Aztecs ? Is Aztec like a umbrella term? Cause I have strong olmec features, and knowing that my mom was probably native to a culture. But please respond I need your help 😭

[@MiloSatori]

In the letters of columbus, he described natives with straight hair and not black like ghanans.

[@daz3350]

​@@MiloSatori actually if you took time sat down put race and colour code politics aside Because in history it didn't exist and look at the native tribes of the Americas You have those in the North that look european well the vikings did stumble upon newfoundland well before columbus set sail You have tribes that look east indian Polynesian and African Let's face it if the vikings sailed the North oceans and found the americas and the Polynesian sailed the southern oceans and found the americas Why couldn't say the phonecians who were great seaman or the mandigo or the benim sailed there by accident or on purpose TO think otherwise is futile As the sea current takes boats from west Africa directly to central America this is a proven fact We even experimented making an ancient phonecian boat the ancient way and sailed it to miami from Africa it took two months Look up the equitorial currents between the two continents I'm not a conspiracy theorist lol But the Portuguese sailed for African shores in 1415 in the same century the sailed to the Americas trying to find India do me a favour Vasco de gamma went to India by sailing past the Cape of good hope After all they have had land trade routes for several thousands of years from the levant to India They knew land was there The vikings traded with the moors of North Africa The phonecians traded tin from Britain People need to use some common sences and critical thinking Was there a mass African migration NOPE did some Africans find thier way there YES when you look at distance the vikings in the North sailed from Denmark to Iceland without a map When you look at the travel the phonecians did in the Mediterranean basin The Polynesian from island to island And the mesoamericans did in the yucatan peninsula and with the carribean islands You would be a fool to think ancient America had no links with Africa

[@something1600]

@@daz3350 Africa was, even in the time of the ancient Egyptians, far more technologically advanced than the Native American civilisations (not to discredit them though). Wouldn't you think that the Olmecs and pre-classical Mayans would want horses, wheeled vehicles, bronze, etc. Since they didn't have these and there are no mentions of the Americas be the Mycanean greeks, Minoan Greeks, classical Greeks or Phoenicians (the great traders in the Mediterranean), we can say that they could travel to the Americas but didn't.

[@daz3350]

@@something1600 you obviously haven't got a clue The Americas or its civilisation came two thousand years after memphis was built Memphis came after Sumer And who told you tribes in America didn't smelt bronze or use horses They had wheels but on kids toys Please go and do some real research

[@hedgehog3180]

The idea of the Olmecs as a mother culture to me also sounds like people are trying to impose a European history on central America where the Olmecs are placed as an American version of ancient Greece. While it might be sound you should probably be vary of assuming that history in the rest of the world played out like in Europe.

[@sternonisoil]

"This gruesome customer is Ixtapolapoquetl-- the God of war." -Mr. Burns

[@AngryAndNegativeHistoryProject]

Gruesome customer? Haha

[@sultansaladin1135]

Hi history with Cy , I am big fan of your channel your doing great job and thank you for investing so much of your time in those anicent videos, is it possible to cover video on the (median empire)which was established around 6th century BC before Achaemenid Empire cyrus the great? That would very interesting thank you.

[@HistorywithCy]

Absolutely! I have the script for that already... just trying to figure out when to finish it up and put it out...hopefully by the end of this month or early May. Thanks for the suggestion, stay safe!

[@sultansaladin1135]

@@HistorywithCy thank you so much that will be very very interesting, iam Kurdish from north Iraq Zakho city,and we are the median empires descendants well that's what we believe in, also I have heard that majority of Parthian and Sassanians army used to speak Kurdish language.

[@HistorywithCy]

@@sultansaladin1135 No worries my friend, it will be done! For Nowruz I did a short one on some of the early Median kings and Cyrus the Great. In the meantime while I'm working on the full Median one, you might like that video. Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it...stay safe!

[@sultansaladin1135]

@@HistorywithCy thank you that'll be nice and please dont forget to add kurds or anicent Kurdish empire the median deceendent in the category, so you will get more Kurdish viewers I will share it on my fb. Thanks Sir and for the Coronaviru we are doing very well our cities and towns all where all locked down for the past 25days plus our gov urged ppl to stay in the house for 10 days only few shops to be open.,thanks to God in my city we have 0 effected people. My city population is around 150.000.

[@pbransome626]

Beautiful i keep telling my people we are not from no damn Africa! We are the original autochthonous melenated copper tone American aborigine Indians of turtle island A.k.A the Americas

[@nataliemanzo34]

Lmao . Olmecs are the father civilizations of Mayan, Aztecs . Africa has nothing to do us Mexicans .

[@nataliemanzo34]

Glen Edmondson just because we speak Spanish doesn’t make us Spanish . Most of my people were mestizo. Half indigenous and half Spanish.

[@j1ful]

Your lost bro

[@nataliemanzo34]

jayone santanna how am I lost 😂

[@pbransome626]

@@j1ful nope but clearly you are lmmfao😂😂🤣🤣😆😆🤗

[@something1600]

Why does every video that is about the Olmec always have the comment section turn into a racist sesspool?

[@QuatMan]

The ones that resemble black people unambiguously appears to upset some...

[@facade538]

Because there are black supremacists claiming Olmec culture was started by Africans.

[@rigulur]

it wouldnt be surprising if most later meso-american civilizations were inspired at least by Olmec/Zapotec culture, i mean we all have inspiration from older cultures. today's world figures it optimal to count minutes to 60, mostly thanks to Babylonian culture's advancements in maths, who probably took some of their findings from Sumerian maths

[@AngelCanseco1]

Hell yeahhh boiii mesoamerican and ancient americas here we come

[@pbransome626]

Greatest history on the planet

[@pbransome626]

It gets wayyyy deeper!