The following accurate summarizes how the olmec empired rule in interact with its environment
The Olmec Empire, which was located in Mesoamerica during the Preclassic period (1500 BCE-400 BCE), had a significant impact on its environment and vice versa. They developed a complex society that relied heavily on agriculture and trade, and their interactions with their environment helped to shape their civilization.
1. Agriculture: The Olmecs practiced intensive agriculture and developed advanced techniques such as terracing, which allowed them to cultivate crops effectively. They cleared forests and created irrigation systems, demonstrating their ability to modify the environment to meet their agricultural needs.
2. Trade and Exchange: The Olmecs were engaged in long-distance trade networks, which facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas. They used their access to natural resources, such as obsidian, serpentine, and basalt, to create valuable commodities and fostered trade relationships with other regions.
3. Environmental Impact: The Olmecs had a significant impact on their environment due to their agricultural practices, resource extraction, and urban development. Deforestation occurred as they cleared land for agriculture and utilized timber for construction. This alteration of the landscape affected local ecosystems and may have led to soil erosion and other environmental changes.
4. Infrastructure and Architecture: The Olmecs constructed elaborate ceremonial centers and pyramids, environmental modifications that showcased their religious and political power. These structures required the extraction of resources and the labor of significant numbers of people, further influencing the natural environment.
Overall, the Olmecs had a symbiotic relationship with their environment. They manipulated their surroundings to sustain their civilization's growth, while their activities also impacted the land they inhabited. However, the full extent of this interaction and its long-term consequences are still subjects of ongoing research and study.