The Olmecs and the Real Discoverers of America

There is a profound and often overlooked story in the history of the Americas. Contrary to popular belief, the original discoverers of the American continent were not European explorers like Christopher Columbus. This article will delve into the intriguing history of the Olmecs and the real discoverers who predating Columbus by several centuries.

Myth and Reality: The European Perspective

For centuries, the narrative was dominated by European explorers and their accounts of their encounters with the Americas. Columbus's voyage in 1492 is typically credited with 'discovering' the continent, despite the fact that the indigenous peoples of the Americas had been there for over 10,000 years. The Olmecs, who flourished around 1200 BCE to 400 BCE, were among the first sophisticated cultures to emerge in Mesoamerica, predating the arrival of Europeans by over a millennium.

The Great Flood and Geological Evidence

One key argument supporting the Olmec's predating of European explorers is the geological evidence suggesting a major flood event around 1600 BCE. This event drastically altered the geography of the world, effectively hiding the continent of America for a few centuries. On earlier maps, the Himalayas were missing, the Sahara Desert was not present, and America as we know it today did not exist. Only parts of what is now Canada (known as Septentrio) were recognizable. After this flood, new lands emerged, including what we now know as the American continent, although it was still populated and advanced by various indigenous societies. Many of these societies, like the Olmecs, had their grandeur intact.

The Role of History and Colonial Propaganda

Another reason why the Olmecs and other pre-Columbian peoples are not credited with the discovery of America is due to the way history has been recorded and propagated over time. The historical narrative often stems from the accounts of European settlers and explorers, who had a significant advantage in terms of documenting and disseminating their findings.

Consider the history textbooks from the 1860s. These books, unlike modern ones, provided more detailed information about the Native Americans, including a comprehensive list of tribes and their territories. This reflects the era's attitude toward indigenous peoples, where settler societies felt a need to understand the people they were encountering.

In the 1860s, it was still important for settlers to know about the Native Americans, as these were the individuals they would be displacing or interacting with. The textbooks demonstrate a level of inclusiveness that we might not expect from more recent editions.

Errors and Misconceptions in Historical Accounts

However, these 1860s textbooks are rife with inaccuracies and misconceptions. For instance, one of the notable errors is the claim that many Native Americans believed in an ancient flood, similar to the Christian narrative, but that these peoples thought it happened before creation rather than after. From a modern scientific perspective, this aligns more closely with the reality of the geological events that shaped the landscape.

The Olmecs, in particular, are an enigmatic and fascinating civilization. Their advanced agricultural and cultural practices, as well as their sophisticated astronomical knowledge, suggest that they had their own explanations and myths for natural phenomena, which included floods and other major events. Their presence and influence in Mesoamerica have been well-documented, and artifacts and architectural remnants still provide a tangible link to this ancient culture.

Conclusion: Revisiting History

The story of the Olmecs and other pre-Columbian peoples should not be overshadowed by the narrative of European discovery. It is a critical part of the rich tapestry of human history. By acknowledging and learning from these earlier civilizations, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and diversity of pre-Columbian America.

It is time to revisit and reevaluate the historical narratives that have shaped our understanding of the Americas. The Olmecs and their contemporaries deserve to be recognized as the true discoverers of America, and their legacy should be celebrated for the profound impact they had on subsequent cultures.