The Olmec And The Chavin A Comparison
Krystle DiCristofalo
History and Literature: World Civilizations to 1600s
Spring Semester 2013
Research Paper
The Olmec and the Chavin: A Comparison
The Olmec and Chavín civilizations were two cultures that existed before the Old World discovery of America. The two societies displayed many similar aspects, such as each being known as the “mother culture” of their respective regions, having similar artistic and architectural styles, and apparently alike religions; however, they differed from each other in such respects as their different locations and contributions. Although both cultures had several different aspects, they were ultimately very similar in terms of both being a “mother culture,” having similar styles of art and architecture, and following similar religions. Both the Olmec and Chavín are believed to have influenced later civilizations of their respective regions, thus making each the “mother culture” of their individual lands. The posthumous Maya, Inca, and Aztec civilizations showed distinct signs of Olmec influence, and the Andes-based Chavín laid the foundations for later civilizations such as the Nazca and Moche civilizations of the same region. Although there is some debate on these cultures truly having the right to be called mother cultures, each has obviously influenced later civilizations, and that is basically what the definition of a mother culture is. The history textbook World History: Patterns of Interaction states, “The Olmec influenced neighboring groups, as well as the later civilizations of the region. They are often called Mesoamerica’s ‘mother culture.’” (Chapter 9, page 240) The Chavín, also, set patterns that both current and subsequent cultures of the Andes and the surrounding region would follow. Although the two societies lived in differing locations, this actually served boosted their similarities; had they lived in the same region, only one could have been a mother culture, thus dissipating one of the two cultures’
History and Literature: World Civilizations to 1600s
Spring Semester 2013
Research Paper
The Olmec and the Chavin: A Comparison
The Olmec and Chavín civilizations were two cultures that existed before the Old World discovery of America. The two societies displayed many similar aspects, such as each being known as the “mother culture” of their respective regions, having similar artistic and architectural styles, and apparently alike religions; however, they differed from each other in such respects as their different locations and contributions. Although both cultures had several different aspects, they were ultimately very similar in terms of both being a “mother culture,” having similar styles of art and architecture, and following similar religions. Both the Olmec and Chavín are believed to have influenced later civilizations of their respective regions, thus making each the “mother culture” of their individual lands. The posthumous Maya, Inca, and Aztec civilizations showed distinct signs of Olmec influence, and the Andes-based Chavín laid the foundations for later civilizations such as the Nazca and Moche civilizations of the same region. Although there is some debate on these cultures truly having the right to be called mother cultures, each has obviously influenced later civilizations, and that is basically what the definition of a mother culture is. The history textbook World History: Patterns of Interaction states, “The Olmec influenced neighboring groups, as well as the later civilizations of the region. They are often called Mesoamerica’s ‘mother culture.’” (Chapter 9, page 240) The Chavín, also, set patterns that both current and subsequent cultures of the Andes and the surrounding region would follow. Although the two societies lived in differing locations, this actually served boosted their similarities; had they lived in the same region, only one could have been a mother culture, thus dissipating one of the two cultures’
Cited: Holt McDougal. World History: Patterns of Interaction. Online Edition. Date Last Accessed: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 (accessed several times before that as well.) Page 128. Online Textbook. Brenda Ralph Lewis. Great Civilizations, Diverse and Magnificent Cultures. Parragon Publishing, published in 2005. Page 182. Book. Date Last Accessed: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 (accessed several times before that as well.) “Chavin.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Online Edition. Date Last Accessed: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 (accessed several times before that as well.) Online Encyclopedia. “Chavin.” Central Andes. Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (translates to Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.) Online Article. Date Last Accessed: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Lavin, Kimberly. “The Olmecs: A Mesoamerican Wonder.” Independent Study, published December 1, 1999. Online Independent Study. Date Last Accessed: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 (accessed several times before that as well.)