Most scholars believe the Olmec, like other Native American peoples, descended from Asian ancestors who migrated into North America during the Great Ice Age.
Understanding Olmec Ancestry
The prevailing view among researchers is that the Olmecs share a common lineage with other indigenous groups of the Americas. This widely accepted theory posits that their ancestors crossed into North America from Asia over a land bridge, known as Beringia, thousands of years ago. This migratory event during the glacial period set the foundation for the diverse Native American populations across the continent, including the early Mesoamerican civilizations like the Olmecs.
Historical Speculation and Evidence
While the scholarly consensus points to an Asian origin, there has been some historical speculation regarding the facial features depicted on certain monumental Olmec carved heads. These features led some historians to theorize an African origin for these ancient people. However, this remains a minority view, with the majority of academic opinion aligning with the Asian ancestry theory, supported by broader archaeological and genetic evidence concerning the peopling of the Americas. The Olmec civilization, flourishing in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico from approximately 1400 BCE to 400 BCE, laid many of the foundations for later Mesoamerican cultures.
