La Venta phase (Olmec)

La Venta phase (Olmec) appears on the timeline as a people or culture of Gulf Coast and Oaxaca (Mesoamerica and Caribbean) from c. 900 to 400 BCE, a span of 500 years. Its people spoke Mixe-Zoque languages (Olmec (probable), Epi-Olmec).

Olmec capital on an island in the Tabasco swamps with a clay pyramid over 30 m tall and buried offerings of tonnes of serpentine blocks. It was abandoned around 400 BCE.

See La Venta phase (Olmec) on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 900 to 400 BCE
Duration: 500 years
Type: People or culture
Region: Gulf Coast and Oaxaca, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
Language family: Mixe-Zoque
Capital: La Venta

Came from

San Lorenzo phase (Olmec) c. 1400 to 900 BCE

Events in Mesoamerica and Caribbean during its time

500 BCE Monte Albán founded

Neighbours in Mesoamerica and Caribbean

Zapotec state (Monte Albán) c. 500 BCE to 850 CE
El Mirador c. 600 BCE to 150 CE
Kaminaljuyu c. 800 BCE to 800 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East
Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
Athens 508 to 322 BCE, Europe

Questions

When did La Venta phase (Olmec) exist?

c. 900 to 400 BCE, about 500 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was La Venta phase (Olmec)?

Gulf Coast and Oaxaca, in Mesoamerica and Caribbean. Its capital was La Venta.

What language did La Venta phase (Olmec) speak?

Mixe-Zoque. This family includes Olmec (probable), Epi-Olmec.

What came before La Venta phase (Olmec)?

San Lorenzo phase (Olmec).