Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights:#1 The first American civilization, the Olmec, arose in Mesoamerica around 1200 BCE. They became the dominant culture in the region until around 900 BCE, when they abandoned San Lorenzo and re-located to a new city, La Venta, 100 kilometers northeast of San Lorenzo on a ridge above the Palma River.#2 The Olmecs were the largest and most powerful society in the region, but they left no writing, making it difficult to ascertain what happened to them. The Olmecs were probably destroyed as a result of some internal revolt or insurrection, or perhaps they were overwhelmed by some environmental catastrophe.