The Olmecs: Mesoamerica's Mysterious First Civilization

Deep in the heart of ancient Mexico, the Olmecs built a grand civilization between 1800 and 400 BCE. The archaeological remains raise may questions about the origins and legacy of this captivating Mesoamerican culture. How did they carve and carry their famous colossal heads? Why did they live in flood-prone wetlands when better agricultural land was available? How can we unlock the secrets of their written language? Taught by Dr. Edwin Barnhart, these 12 eye-opening lectures take you on a journey into the past to explore these fascinating people. From the bustling platforms of San Lorenzo to the ritual-rich pyramids of La Venta, you'll discover how the Olmecs shaped and were shaped by trade, religion, and ideology. Armed with the latest research, you'll consider the Olmec reputation as "Mother Culture" of Mesoamerican civilizations. However, the story of ancient Mesoamerica is a much more complex tale of coevolution with neighbors like the Oaxaca and, later, the Maya.


Aliases
  • The Great Courses: The Olmecs: Mesoamerica's Mysterious First Civilization
English

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  • TheTVDB.com Series ID 470335
  • Status Ended
  • First Aired January 1, 2025
  • Recent January 1, 2025
  • Network The Great Courses
  • Average Runtime 30 minutes
  • Genres Documentary
  • Original Country United States of America
  • Original Language English
  • Episode Screenshot Format 16:9 Screencap
  • Favorited This series has been favorited by 0 people.
  • Created November 12, 2025 by
    wfbhp
  • Modified November 12, 2025 by
    wfbhp
Season From To Episodes
All Seasons
Specials 0
Season 1 January 2025 12
Unassigned Episodes 0
Absolute ordering places all episodes in a single ordered season. This is generally used for anime.
Season From To Episodes
Season 1 0
Unassigned Episodes 12

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