Which statement best summarizes the influence of the environment on the Olmec Empire?(1 point)
Responses
The rivers provided an avenue to migrate to other territories to expand their empire to other regions of Mexico.
The rivers provided an avenue to migrate to other territories to expand their empire to other regions of Mexico.
The jungle area provided natural resources to use in developing irrigation systems to control the rivers and create raised land.
The jungle area provided natural resources to use in developing irrigation systems to control the rivers and create raised land.
The jungle area provided a variety of natural food sources indigenous to the tropical climate.
The jungle area provided a variety of natural food sources indigenous to the tropical climate.
The volcanic land provided tar and clay to use in constructing buildings, pyramids, and temples for shelter and worship.
The environment played a significant role in the development and sustenance of the Olmec Empire, which flourished in what is now the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico, around 1200-400 BC. To summarize the influence of the environment on the Olmec Empire:
The jungle area provided natural resources to use in developing irrigation systems to control the rivers and create raised land.
This statement encapsulates the crucial interaction between the Olmecs and their environment. The tropical rainforest not only offered a diversity of food sources but also presented the Olmecs with materials and opportunities for advanced agricultural practices, such as the use of irrigation and the creation of raised fields (chinampas) to manage the water supply and enhance agricultural productivity. It also suggests the sophistication of Olmec engineering and their ability to modify the environment to meet their needs.