The Olmecs were the first people of Mesoamerica to build pyramids. The development of pyramids in Mesoamerica by the Olmec civilization had a significant impact in that it was a central hub for religious aspects of their lives. The development of pyramids in Mesoamerica began around 1200 BCE. Mesoamerican pyramids were called ¨stepped pyramids¨ because they had a steep stairway ascending to a platform that was only opened to priests in order to perform religious rituals. Over time there has been evidence of pyramids in Mesoamerica storing tombs of kings and priests. There is also evidence of Mesoamericans using pyramids as a military defense in city states. This is doable because Mesoamerican pyramids commonly consisted of earth mounds covered in stone. The Olmec civilization built pyramids using a core base of rubble and earth, strong walls to hold the structure, and then covered layers of stucco and limestone all over. Overall the Olmec civilization built pyramids to ensure divine structure from the gods by performing ceremonial practices. 

Interesting Facts on Mesoamerican Pyramids: 

• Mesoamerica civilizations had an abundance of pyramids in Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca. 

• The building of pyramids in Mesoamerica dates back to 1200 BC up until the early 16th century. 

• Each time a new ruler would take place in Latin America a pyramid would get rebuilt over a pre-existing pyramid because Mesoamericans believed it reaffirmed the king's relationship with the gods. 

• Pyramids were built on high ground to protect from flooding.

• Pyramids were also built on high ground because Mesoamericans believed it ensured them a more sacred connection to their gods. 

• Mesoamericans built pyramids with the intention to have the presence of their gods dwell in it. 

• All of Mesoamericans culture share a belief that mountains were a place of devotion, therefore pyramid structures were influenced by mountains with them being a pyramidal structure. 

• The downfall of the Maya civilization after 900 CE, led to pyramids being fled with a thicket of jungle vegetation.

Relates Sources: 

For more information on La Venta: Gillespie, Susan D., and Michael Volk. 2014. “A 3d Model of Complex A, La Venta, Mexico.” Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 1 (3-4): 72–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2014.06.001.

To see the comparison between Mesoamerica and Mespotamia pyramids: Berlin, Universität, Costanza Coppini, Georg Cyrus, and Hamaseh Golestaneh. 2019. “Access Archaeology a Bridging the Gap: Disciplines, Times, and Spaces in Dialogue Volume 3 Sessions 4 and 6 from the Conference Broadening Horizons 6 Held at the Freie.” Bridging the Gap 3. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/99967/1/external_content.pdf#page=150.

The roots of Mesoamerica´s first civilization and the impact: Kuiper, Kathleen. n.d. “Mesoamerican Architecture.” Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/Mesoamerican-architecture.