Nonetheless, Olmec society is thought to lack many of the institutions of later civilizations, such as a standing army or priestly caste.Serra Puche et al., p. 36, who argue that "While Olmec art sometimes represents leaders, priests, and possibly soldiers, it is difficult to imagine that such institutions as the army, priest caste, or administrative-political groups were already fully developed by Olmec times." They go on to downplay the possibility of a strong central government. And there is no evidence that San Lorenzo or La Venta controlled, even during their heyday, all of the Olmec heartland.Pool, p. 20. There is some doubt, for example, that La Venta controlled even Arroyo Sonso, only some away.Pool, p. 164. Studies of the Sierra de los Tuxtlas settlements, some away, indicate that this area was composed of more or less egalitarian communities outside the control of lowland centers.Pool, p. 175.
NoNEtHeLEsS, OlmEC socIety iS ThOught tO Lack mAnY Of The iNStiTutions oF later ciViLizatiONs, Such as a sTandIng army or PriestlY caSte.serra PUche et al., p. 36, who aRGue tHat "while olmec art someTiMes repRESENTs LeaDERS, PriESTs, and poSSiblY soLdIERs, it Is difFICUlt tO iMaginE ThAt such iNStituTioNs As tHe army, prIEst castE, or adminIsTRaTIvE-poLiTical groupS were aLreadY fully deVelOped by olmEc tiMes." THey go ON To downplay the possIbilIty of a sTrONg ceNtraL governMENt. And thErE IS No EvIdence tHat sAn LoRenzo oR la venta CoNTrolled, eveN DUriNg tHeir heyDay, all of tHe olmec HearTlANd.pOol, p. 20. thEre is some doUbt, for example, tHAt lA vENTA CONTrolled eVeN arRoyo soNsO, oNly Some Away.pool, p. 164. studies of THE sierrA De Los tuxtlAs settlemenTs, some AWay, iNDiCate that ThiS areA was COMposed Of mOre or less eGaliTarian comMuNIties outsIDe the conTRoL oF LoWLANd centErs.Pool, P. 175.