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The Olmec Calendar: Precursor to the Maya

December 14, 2025

Early Timekeeping in Mesoamerica

Origins of Sacred Time
The Olmecs developed one of the earliest known calendrical systems in the Americas. Their understanding of cycles influenced later Maya and Aztec calendars.

Ritual and Agriculture
Timekeeping guided planting seasons, religious festivals, and ceremonial events. Sacred days were believed to hold specific energies affecting fate and prosperity.

Legacy Across Civilizations
Elements of the Olmec calendar appear in later Mesoamerican cultures, demonstrating their foundational role in regional astronomy and ritual life.

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