The Maya civilization adopted several elements from the Olmec culture, which is often regarded as one of the earliest complex societies in Mesoamerica. Some key aspects that the Maya adopted from the Olmec include:
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Art and Sculpture: The Maya were influenced by the Olmec's distinctive artistic styles, especially in the production of large stone sculptures and carved monumental heads. This artistic tradition contributed to the Maya’s own sophisticated artistic expressions, which included stelae and altars.
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Religious Symbolism: The Olmec religious practices and iconography, including the depiction of supernatural beings and themes associated with shamanism, influenced Maya religion. Elements such as the jaguar motif, which is central to Olmec art and mythology, were also prominent in Maya iconography.
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Calendar and Timekeeping: The Olmec developed an early form of timekeeping which likely influenced the subsequent development of the Maya calendar system. The Maya refined and elaborated upon this system to create their own complex calendar, which became integral to their culture and agriculture.
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Socio-Political Structure: The emergence of hierarchical societies, including notions of divinely sanctioned rulership and elite classes, can be traced back to Olmec influences. The Maya also established their own forms of governance and societal organization that built upon these early models.
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Writing and Symbolism: While the Maya developed their own hieroglyphic writing system, some scholars suggest that the Olmec may have influenced the origins of Mesoamerican writing by establishing systems of symbols used for communication and record-keeping.
Overall, the influence of the Olmec on the Maya was significant and helped shape the early development of Maya civilization.