The Great Courses – The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization 2025-7

The Great Courses – The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization 2025-7 Downloadly IRSpace

Aug 17, 2025 - 02:43 Updated: Aug 19, 2025 - 14:38

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The Great Courses – The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization 2025-7

The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization, Deep in the heart of ancient Mexico, the Olmecs built a grand civilization between 1800 and 400 BCE. The archaeological remains raise more questions than answers about the origins and legacy of this captivating Mesoamerican culture. How did they carve and carry their famous colossal heads? Why did they live in flood-prone wetlands when better agricultural land was available? How can we unlock the secrets of their written language? Tackle these questions and more in The Olmecs: Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization. Taught by Dr. Edwin Barnhart, a seasoned archaeologist and director of the Maya Exploration Center, these 12 eye-opening lectures take you on a journey into the past to explore these fascinating people. From the bustling platforms of San Lorenzo to the ritual-rich pyramids of La Venta, you’ll discover how the Olmecs shaped and were shaped by trade, religion, and ideology. Armed with the latest research, you’ll consider the Olmec reputation as “Mother Culture” of Mesoamerican civilizations—meaning that other cultures were descendants of the Olmecs. However, the story of ancient Mesoamerica is a much more complex tale of coevolution with neighbors like the Oaxaca and, later, the Maya.

What you’ll learn

Evolving Olmec Origins Story
Step back more than 150 years to the discovery of a colossal head made from eight tons of basalt in the Veracruz mountains.
Mesoamerican Mother Culture
Olmec Iconography and Religion
Life as an Olmec