Olmec Economy
The picture below shows the location of the three central areas the Olmecs could get different natural resources from.
|
Olmec trade started to become an aspect of life during this time period. Some areas had what others didn’t so it became important to trade with different cities. Trading within a city also became a part of everyday life. By trading, they gained influencing other societies which had even lasted long after the empire was demolished.
Since there were many different areas to the empire, it lead to different land types and ability of natural resources. Specifically, three central areas of the Olmec empire had access to different natural resources: San Lorenzo, La Venta, and Tres Zapotes. Notably, La Venta granted the Olmec civilization access to maritime resources such as seafood (fish and other animals), seaweed, and shells, as well as other unique assets such as cacao and rubber. The Olmec were able to find basalt from the Tuxtla Mountains and transport them between their various cities. As a noteworthy point, it’s strongly believed that the Olmec were the pioneers in tapping rubber trees to refine and use to produce various goods.
As previously acknowledged, the Olmec used their man-made goods as well as their natural resources to establish long-range trade relationships among all of Mesoamerica. On top of all these natural boons, the Olmec, like all Mesoamerican societies, developed a variety of agricultural crops to grow and use. This included gourds like squash, avocados, beans, yams, and various grains, however the primary crop nurtured and utilized by the Olmec was maize. Slash-and-burn agriculture and strategic usage of river levees were key in maximizing agricultural effectiveness, with the former used to bolster soil fertility and the latter used to drench fields to ensure the health of crops.
Since there were many different areas to the empire, it lead to different land types and ability of natural resources. Specifically, three central areas of the Olmec empire had access to different natural resources: San Lorenzo, La Venta, and Tres Zapotes. Notably, La Venta granted the Olmec civilization access to maritime resources such as seafood (fish and other animals), seaweed, and shells, as well as other unique assets such as cacao and rubber. The Olmec were able to find basalt from the Tuxtla Mountains and transport them between their various cities. As a noteworthy point, it’s strongly believed that the Olmec were the pioneers in tapping rubber trees to refine and use to produce various goods.
As previously acknowledged, the Olmec used their man-made goods as well as their natural resources to establish long-range trade relationships among all of Mesoamerica. On top of all these natural boons, the Olmec, like all Mesoamerican societies, developed a variety of agricultural crops to grow and use. This included gourds like squash, avocados, beans, yams, and various grains, however the primary crop nurtured and utilized by the Olmec was maize. Slash-and-burn agriculture and strategic usage of river levees were key in maximizing agricultural effectiveness, with the former used to bolster soil fertility and the latter used to drench fields to ensure the health of crops.