San Lorenzo Olmec Pyramids

San lorenzo tenochtitlan or san lorenzo is the collective name for three related archaeological sitessan lorenzo tenochtitlan and potrero nuevolocated in the southeast portion of the mexican state of veracruzalong with la venta and tres zapotes it was one of the three major cities of the olmec and the major center of olmec culture from 1200 bce to 900 bce.

San lorenzo olmec pyramids. The rise of olmec civilization. San lorenzo reached its peak of prosperity and influence between 1200 and 900 bce when its strategic position safe from flooding allowed it to control local trade. San lorenzo had vast influence and political power in mesoamerica. It was the largest and most magnificent city in mesoamerica at the time and it exerted great influence in the region.

It is located on a steep plateau above the coatzacoalcos floodplain. For full treatment see pre columbian civilizations. A brief treatment of olmec civilization follows. San lorenzo is the name of the central place in the larger san lorenzo tenochtitlan archaeological region.

The first major city of the olmec civilization was san lorenzo with a population of at least 15000. After petroleum was found there many of the artifacts were moved to an. The olmecs achieved this feat by using carved stone pipes with lids. San lorenzo had no peers or rivals.

San lorenzo is an olmec period site located in the state of veracruz mexico. It had a very elaborate drainage system that may have helped its success. The chief olmec sites are san lorenzo la venta laguna de los cerros and tres zapotes in what is now southern mexicomuch of what is known about the olmecs was inferred from archaeological excavations at those sites which have uncovered large earthen pyramids. These were cultures that developed on their own without the benefit of migration or influence from some other civilization.

La venta ancient olmec settlement located near the border of modern tabasco and veracruz states on the gulf coast of mexico. The first olmec center san lorenzo was abandoned around 900 bcat the same time the olmec city of la venta rose in prominence to become the civic and ceremonial center of the olmec civilizationthe most prominent theory regarding the change in olmec. Front view of colossal head 1 discovered at san lorenzo. Typical olmec trade goods included obsidian jade serpentine mica rubber pottery feathers and polished mirrors of ilmenite and magnetite.

Olmec pyramids olmec pyramids. Archaeologists consider the olmecs to be one of only six pristine civilizations. La venta was originally built on an island in the tonala river. Now it is part of a large swamp.