In 3–5 sentences, explain why the Olmec civilization is commonly thought to be the “mother culture” to other Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya.(4 points)
The Olmec civilization is often regarded as the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica because they were one of the earliest complex societies in the region, flourishing from around 1200 to 400 BCE. The Olmec's advanced agricultural practices, architectural techniques, social organization, and religious beliefs heavily influenced subsequent Mesoamerican cultures, including the Maya. Many artistic and cultural elements, such as monumental stone heads, jaguar imagery, and concepts of divine rulership, originated with the Olmec and were later adopted by other civilizations in the region.
