an archaeological culture widespread over what are now the Mexican states of Veracruz, Tabasco, and Guerrero.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec+Culture
n. pl. Olmec or Ol·mecs. 1. An early Mesoamerican Indian civilization centered in the Veracruz region of southeast Mexico that flourished between 1300 and 400 bc, whose cultural influence was widespread throughout southern Mexico and Central America. 2. A member of any of various peoples sharing the Olmec culture.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec
(ōl`mĕk) , term denoting the culture of ancient Mexican natives inhabiting the tropical coastal plain of the contemporary states of Veracruz and Tabasco, between 1300 and 400 B.C.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec
Olmec architecture was characterized by monolithic basalt pillars, found in burial vaults, and by ritual areas covered with mosaics. Olmec sculpture is distinguished by a pronounced interest in the depiction of human beings, by breadth and majesty of design, and by confidence of execution.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec+Culture
The nature of the relationship between the highland and lowland groups remains unclear. The largest and best known Olmec sites are situated along rivers on the coastal plain and include San Lorenzo (1300–900 B.C.) and Tres Zapotes (1000–400 B.C.) in Veracruz, and La Venta (1000–600 B.C.) in Tabasco.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec
The major religious and political centers were La Venta, San Lorenzo, Tres Zapotes, and Laguna de los Cerros. The Olmec culture influenced the culture of the neighboring Indian peoples. Judging from the excavations at La Venta and San Lorenzo, Olmec religious structures were still relatively primitive.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec+Culture
Although the culture was that of unknown American Indians, it has been conditionally named after the Olmecs, a small group of tribes that later lived in the area (11th–14th centuries). The time of existence of the Olmec culture has not yet been definitely established. The culture’s origin is dated by various researchers to the 15th to the eighth century. , and its demise to the first century. to the third century. The economy was based on fishing and slash-and-burn farming.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec+Culture
1. Olmec-a member of an early Mesoamerican civilization centered around Veracruz that flourished between 1300 and 400 BC. federation of tribes, tribe-a federation (as of American Indians). American Indian, Indian, Red Indian-a member of the race of people living in America when Europeans arrived. 1  Facebook.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec
• OLMEC (noun). The noun OLMEC has 1 sense: 1. a member of an early Mesoamerican civilization centered around Veracruz that flourished between 1300 and 400 BC. Familiarity information: OLMEC used as a noun is very rare. • OLMEC (adjective). The adjective OLMEC has 1 sense: 1. of or relating to the Olmec of Mexico. Familiarity information: OLMEC used as an adjective is very rare.
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Among the more notable examples are numerous sculptured heads of basalt, weighing as much as 40 tons and standing up to 10 ft (3 m) in height. The basalt used for these carvings came from up to 50 mi (80 km) away and was floated to the riverine settlements on rafts.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Olmec
definition of olmec
The definition of OLMEC is a member of an early Mesoamerican civilization centered around Veracruz that flourished between 1300 and 400 BC. Olmec is a member of an early Mesoamerican civilization centered around Veracruz that flourished between 1300 and 400 BC.