The Weapons of the Olmecs

Report: #0122

The Olmecs are—or rather were—an isolated people in the Mexican jungle. Fortunately, with the growth of any culture comes the desire to express itself in artistic form.

Rulers always sought the most outstanding artists to create works of art where they themselves appeared, or something or some event that represented them. Thus, we have evidence of ancient cultures that would otherwise be forgotten without these works of art.

The origin of the Olmecs is not known with certainty. Little is known of their religion, though there is talk of a sun god—and, as might be expected, the jaguar was a sacred animal, or the statue of a divine force.

It is not known how they lived in relation to their neighbors. Their influence spanned several countries. Important was the defense of their territories. They were athletes in sport and feared soldiers in war.

They were feared for their robust stature and possibly their secret weapon.  They had technological weapons. 

Some contact with sun gods—which always symbolize gods who can fly with their bright discs—facilitated the safe use of devices of unknown origin, but probably from the same gods. A small group of elite soldiers were equipped with these weapons.  

Josef Bauer