The Mystery Of The Olmecs

Lost Cities author Childress takes us deep into Mexico and Central America in search of the mysterious Olmecs, North America’s early, advanced civilization. The Olmecs, now sometimes called Proto-Mayans, were not acknowledged to have existed as a civilization until an international archeological meeting in Mexico City in 1942. Now, the Olmecs are slowly being recognized as the Mother Culture of Mesoamerica, having invented writing, the ball game and the “Mayan” Calendar. But who were the Olmecs? Where did they come from? What happened to them? How sophisticated was their culture? How far back in time did it go? Why are many Olmec statues and figurines seemingly of foreign peoples such as Africans, Europeans and Chinese? Is there a link with Atlantis? In this heavily illustrated book, join Childress in search of the lost cities of the Olmecs! Chapters include: The Mystery of the Origin of the Olmecs; The Mystery of the Olmec Destruction; The Mystery of Quizuo; The Mystery of Transoceanic Trade; The Mystery of Cranial Deformation; The Mystery of Olmec Writing; more. Heavily illustrated, includes a color photo section.

This book takes readers on a journey that few have taken, deep into archaeological sites, artifacts, and the many theories surrounding the Olmecs and their history so shrouded in mystery.

The OlmecsMany ancient civilizations are described as mysterious, but none provide as many puzzles and unanswered questions as the Olmecs. These people arrived in lands near the Gulf of Mexico around 1500 BCE, and they brought with them entirely new concepts in terms of engineering, agriculture, and religion. The problem is, we have no idea where they came from or how they developed these new ideas. Then, around 400 BCE, the Olmecs vanished as suddenly and inexplicably as they appeared, leaving behind no written records but providing a legacy of beliefs and ideas which permeated virtually every Mesoamerican culture which followed.Inside you will read about...✓ Origins✓ The Olmec Enigma✓ The Fall of San Lorenzo✓ Were-Jaguars and Feathered Serpents✓ The Rise of La Venta✓ The Disappearance of the OlmecsAnd much more!Respected scholars take very different views on the Olmec civilization. Some feel that the Olmecs must have come to Central America from somewhere else entirely, while others are adamant that they are indigenous people. Some historians believe that the Olmecs were simply one of several cultures which emerged at around the same time, while others are vehement that this is the mother culture from which all subsequent Mesoamerican cultures descended. Less than one hundred years ago, there wasn't even agreement on whether these people had existed at all.There are very few cultures as important as the Olmecs about which we know so little. This book attempts to convey the story of the mysterious Olmecs and their unique and fascinating artifacts.

Provides a complete overview of Olmec culture, its accomplishments and impact on later Mexcian civilizations.

Masterly....The complexities of Mexico's ancient cultures are perceptively presented and interpreted.--Library Journal

David Hatcher Childress, popular Lost Cities author and star of the History Channel’s long-running show Ancient Aliens, takes us to the mysterious ruins in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia in search of ancient technology and the secrets of megalith building. In his new book, packed with photos and diagrams, Childress examines the amazing stonecutting at Puma Punku, a site neighboring the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. He looks at whether the so-called “Inca walls”-found in Cuzco and at other sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu-were really made by the Incas. The evidence seems to support the idea that they were actually constructed by a far older culture. Childress examines the megalithic construction and underground chambers of Chavin in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, possibly the oldest megalithic site in South America. He also speculates on the existence of a sunken city in Lake Titicaca and reveals new evidence that the Sumerians may have arrived in South America over 4,000 years ago. Childress demonstrates that the use of “keystone cuts” with metal clamps poured into them to secure megalithic construction was an advanced technology used all over the world, from the Andes to Egypt, Greece and Southeast Asia. He maintains that only power tools could have made the intricate articulation and drill holes found in extremely hard granite and basalt blocks in Bolivia and Peru, and that the megalith builders had to have had advanced methods for moving and stacking gigantic blocks of stone, some weighing over 100 tons. The incredible high-tech world of South America is illuminated in the informative and breezy style for which Childress has always been known. Chapters in the book include: The Lost World of South America; The Enigma of Ancient Technology; Ancient Technology at Tiwanaku and Puma Punku; The Sumerian Mining Complex at Tiwanaku; Mysteries of Lake Titicaca and the Towers; Ancient Technology in Cuzco; The Megaliths of Ollantaytambo; Did the Incas Build Machu Picchu?; and more!

A feast of extraordinary theories and personalities centred around the mysterious standing stones of antiquity. John Michell tells the incredible story of the amazing reactions, ancient and modern, to these prehistoric relics, whether astronomical, legendary, mystical or visionary.

"Mesoamerican Mysteries: Delving into the Olmec Enigma" is your window into the enigmatic world of the Olmec civilization. This Special Report, engineered by seasoned historian Barbara Rose, will transport you to an era primordial and captivating. Unearth the breathtaking secrets of a civilization lost in the mists of time as you traverse through the Olmec genesis, investigate Sacred Grounds of Olmec cities, marvel at the intricacies of the Giants of Stone, and feel the chill of the Final Echo of the Olmec disappearance. It's the ultimate journey into the heart of Mesoamerica, shrouded in a veil of unexpected discoveries, rich legends, and unforeseen appreciations. Whether you are an ardent history buff, an adventurous traveler thirsty for knowledge, or a reader with an eye for mysteries, this dispatch from the past will ignite your fascination for the historic narratives of ancient cultures. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to delve into the lesser-known civilization, but it also offers you invaluable insights into their legacy and influence in shaping the Mesoamerican culture. So, brace yourself to traverse the currents of time and immerse in the mystique of this long vanished civilization. With every chapter of this Special Report, you will find your curiosity piqued and horizons broadened. Here, history is not a distant memory emitting faint reverberations, but a vibrant saga meticulously crafted for your reading pleasure. Don't let this opportunity slip away, secure your copy now!

Yearning for her former life as an archaeologist, Australian librarian Dr. Elizabeth Pimms is struggling with a job she doesn't want, a family she both loves and resents, and enforced separation from her boyfriend. A royal Olmec cemetery is discovered deep in the Mexican jungle, containing the earliest writing in all the Americas. Dr. Pimms is elated to join the team investigating these Aztec ancestors. Triumph is short-lived, however, as Elizabeth's position on the team is threatened by a volatile excavation director, contradictory evidence, and hostile colleagues.Amidst seventeen concealed skeletons, an evolving mental library, and Welsh soup, can Dr.Pimms determine cause of death for a 3,000-year-old athlete before being fired? With the archaeological intrigue of Elizabeth Peters, forensic insight of Kathy Reichs, and comfort of a cosy mystery, Olmec Obituary is the first novel in a fascinating new series: DrPimms, Intermillennial Sleuth. Really cold cases. L.J.M. Owen drew extensively on her education and experience when developing the novel. Relevant qualifications include an undergraduate degree in archaeology and a PhD in palaeogenetics from ANU, and a graduate diploma in library management from Curtin University.