Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Olmec culture (c. 1500–400 BCE) is often called Mesoamerica's "mother culture," but it was not the only early civilization. Another major society arose during the same era: the Maya.
Located in present-day Guatemala, Tikal became one of the most powerful Maya city-states. Though its monumental architecture peaked later (Classic period, c. 250–900 CE), its origins trace back to the Preclassic period, overlapping with the late Olmec horizon.
Other non-Olmec early centers include Monte Albán (Zapotec) in Oaxaca and early settlements in the Valley of Mexico. These societies developed distinct writing systems, calendars, and urban planning independently of Olmec influence.