The daily life of the Olmecs was based on religious practices, growing food, family life and a sector of the population was dedicated to art and architecture. The Olmec culture flourished in pre-classic Mesoamerica from 1200 BC. Until 400 a. C. and is considered the precursor of all later Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Mayans and Aztecs.
It was located in the Gulf of Mexico (now the Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco) and its influence and commercial activity extended from 1200 BC. C., even reaching the south of Nicaragua.
Olmec head found in San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán.
Monumental sacred places, massive stone sculptures, ball games, chocolate, and animal gods were traits of the Olmec culture that would be passed on to all who followed this first great Mesoamerican civilization.
Religion
As with other areas of Olmec culture, the details of their religion are unclear.
The Olmecs seem to have had a particular reverence for natural places that were related to the important junctions of heaven, earth, and the underworld.
For example, caves could lead to the underworld, and mountains that had both springs and caves could offer access to all three planes.
Feeding
The Olmecs practiced basic agriculture using the 'slash and burn' technique, in which overexploited parcels of land were burned. This clears them for planting and the ashes act as fertilizers.
They planted many of the same crops seen in the region today, such as squash, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.
Corn was a staple of the Olmec diet, although it is possible that it was introduced late in the development of its cultivation.
The Olmecs fished in nearby lakes and rivers, and clams, alligators, and various types of fish were an important part of their diet.
The Olmecs preferred to make settlements near water, as the floodplains were good for agriculture and fish could be easier to obtain. For meat, they had domestic dogs and occasionally deer.
A vital part of the Olmec diet was nixtamal, a special type of cornmeal ground with seashells, lime or ash, the addition of which greatly enhances the nutritional value of cornmeal.
Architecture
Olmec cities had ceremonial buildings or temples, which were typically earth platform mounds, with house-like structures built on top of them. Olmec cities also had aqueducts and drainage systems.
Writing
Today several "glyphs" from Olmec sites have been discovered. This evidence leaves no doubt that the Olmecs were the first Mesoamericans to develop a writing system.
Art
The most amazing legacy of the Olmec civilization must be the stone heads that they produced.
They were carved out of basalt and all display unique facial features so that they can be considered as portraits of royal rulers.
The heads can reach almost 3 meters in height and 8 tons in weight and the stone from which they were worked, in some cases, was transported 80 km or more, presumably using huge rafts.