WHAT WERE THE SOCIAL CLASSES OF THE OLMECS? - HISTORY - 2025

The social classes of the Olmecs were organized in a similar way to that of most European societies. The hierarchy was instituted vertically, with an elite occupying the leadership position and a common people that covered most of the daily tasks.

In a society little known and closely linked to nature, the social order was very marked in the cities. They were predecessors of the Incas and Mayas, heirs of many of their structures.

Comalcalco

Religion also had an influence. It was a decisive factor in establishing social configurations in Olmec communities.

Olmec social classes, functions and characteristics

Command classes

Within Olmec society there were some elites who held power and served as a guide for their people. As there were several centers of population concentration, the customs had nuances.

To deal with these conflicts between different groups, strong leadership could be essential. Especially when it comes to ensuring the survival of the whole.

In general, this group was not directly engaged in agriculture or gathering. They served as political and spiritual leaders, but they did not have a direct role related to daily tasks.

Religious leaders

From what is known, religion played a fundamental role in pre-Hispanic civilization. During the beginnings of its social organization, it was the religious leaders who were in charge of acting as the political elite.

This dual role endowed them with enormous influence over the settlements of their people. As in European cultures, command was viewed as conferred by deities.

Dynasties

With the passage of time, political and religious power began to moderately separate. Cult leaders continued to wield remarkable influence over society. But the political elite, also recipients of divine power for their subjects, was made up of families for whom power was hereditary.

These dynasties organized daily activities and led war conflicts, although they did not have an army as such.

It is a hierarchy that in certain areas of the American geography would be continued by later civilizations.

Artists and craftsmen

Without actually enjoying the influence of the political and religious elites, they were respected.

Until now, large pieces of sculpture have arrived that seem to represent the heads of the leaders of each city.

Olmec sculpture

Popular classes

The bulk of society was made up of ordinary citizens. During the day to day, it was they who were in charge of fulfilling all the tasks necessary for the proper functioning of the settlements.

Rural areas

Outside the cities, where such a marked hierarchy did not exist, they were mainly dedicated to agriculture.

They also provided the cities with materials that were later traded. For example, jade or cocoa.

There were hardly any large populations, and their influence on those who lived more isolated was less. There is no record of the inhabitants of these regions paying homage to dynasties or religious elites.

However, they did form part of the web of small and medium populations with common aesthetic and religious references. The civilization that is known as Olmec.

References

1. Social classes in the Olmec and Chavin civilizations. (sf). Retrieved from olmecsandchavin101.weebly.com.
2. The Olmecs: Social structure. (sf). Obtained from sites.google.com.
3. Amber M. VanDerwarker. Farming, Hunting, and Fishing in the Olmec World. (August 11, 2011). 5-8. Obtained from books.google.es.
4. Richard EW Adams. Prehistoric Mesoamerica. (2005). 57-60. Obtained from books.google.es.
5. Michael D. Lemonick. Mystery of the Olmec. (July 1, 1996). Time Magazine. Recovered from latinamericanstudies.org.
6. Mark Cartwright. Olmec civilization. (August 30, 2013). Retrieved from ancient.eu.