<P> The Olmecs flourished during Mesoamerica 's formative period , dating roughly from as early as 1500 BCE to about 400 BCE . Pre-Olmec cultures had flourished in the area since about 2500 BCE , but by 1600 -- 1500 BCE , early Olmec culture had emerged , centered on the San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán site near the coast in southeast Veracruz . They were the first Mesoamerican civilization , and laid many of the foundations for the civilizations that followed . Among other `` firsts '' , the Olmec appeared to practice ritual bloodletting and played the Mesoamerican ballgame , hallmarks of nearly all subsequent Mesoamerican societies . The aspect of the Olmecs most familiar now is their artwork , particularly the aptly named `` colossal heads '' . The Olmec civilization was first defined through artifacts which collectors purchased on the pre-Columbian art market in the late 19th century and early 20th century . Olmec artworks are considered among ancient America 's most striking . </P>
<P> The Olmecs flourished during Mesoamerica 's formative period , dating roughly from as early as 1500 BCE to about 400 BCE . Pre-Olmec cultures had flourished in the area since about 2500 BCE , but by 1600 -- 1500 BCE , early Olmec culture had emerged , centered on the San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán site near the coast in southeast Veracruz . They were the first Mesoamerican civilization , and laid many of the foundations for the civilizations that followed . Among other `` firsts '' , the Olmec appeared to practice ritual bloodletting and played the Mesoamerican ballgame , hallmarks of nearly all subsequent Mesoamerican societies . The aspect of the Olmecs most familiar now is their artwork , particularly the aptly named `` colossal heads '' . The Olmec civilization was first defined through artifacts which collectors purchased on the pre-Columbian art market in the late 19th century and early 20th century . Olmec artworks are considered among ancient America 's most striking . </P>
the cultural core of early olmec civilization was located at
the cultural core of early olmec civilization was located at
San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán
San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán