The Mysterious Civilization That Came First: Colossal Heads, Altars, and Pyramids of the Olmec

✨ Who were the people behind the colossal stone heads of ancient Mexico?

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we're traveling more than 3,000 years into the past to explore the Olmec—Mesoamerica's first major civilization and an important influence on cultures that followed, including the Maya and Aztec.

Emerging in what is now Veracruz, Mexico, around 1200 BCE, the Olmec created a remarkable culture whose influence can be seen throughout the history of Mesoamerica. Yet despite their importance, much about who they were and how they lived remains a mystery.

Join Sacramento City College Art History Professor Nicole Lazo as we explore what the art and architecture left behind by the Olmec can tell us about their world. We'll examine their monumental architectural complexes, including the first pyramid structure in Mesoamerica, their altars, and, of course, the colossal carved stone heads that have become one of the most recognizable creations of the ancient Americas.

Along the