A carved monolith unearthed in Mexico may show that the Olmec civilization, one of the oldest in the Americas, was more widespread than thought or that another culture thrived alongside it 3,000 ...

But many aspects of these civilizations appear to be outgrowths of what's been termed the "mother culture" of the region: the Olmecs. Best known for their creation of colossal heads, ...

Olmec civilization emerged roughly 3,000 years ago in the eastern lowlands along Mexico’s Gulf Coast in what is today the region of Veracruz and Tabasco. In many ways, it provided the foundation ...

Inspired by Olmec culture, the city of Teotihuacan, about 25 to 30 miles northeast of Mexico City, is one of the country's most-visited ancient cities. Kate Connes/Shutterstock.

Some argue that the pre-Columbian culture developed virtually on its own and free of influence; others believe it was a direct offshoot from the older Olmec civilization — a group that emerged ...

A sculpture inspired by the colossal stone heads crafted by the early Meso-American Olmec civilization sits outside Naperville’s 95th Street Library at 2015 Cedar Glade Drive.

The exhibition seeks to shed light on the culture of the ancient Olmec civilization, said Diana Martinez, director of the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage.