The term Olmec refers to an ancient Mesoamerican civilization that existed from approximately 1400 BCE to 400 BCE in what is now modern-day Mexico. The term "Olmec" is derived from the Aztec language and means "rubber people." This name was given to them because of their significant contributions to the cultivation and use of rubber. The Olmec civilization is recognized as one of the earliest complex societies in Mesoamerica and is often considered the mother culture of the region due to their influence on later civilizations like the Maya and Aztec.
