Uncontacted contemporaries · 961 overlapping years

Olmec Civilization Elamite Civilization

For 961 years — from 1,500 BCE to 539 BCE — both civilizations existed simultaneously. Neither this dataset nor the historical record shows any documented trade, war, or diplomatic contact between them.

2,700 BCE 400 BCE

Olmec Civilization

1,500 BCE–400 BCE

Elamite Civilization

2,700 BCE–539 BCE

↑ Overlap begins, 1,500 BCE

Olmec Civilization

Gulf Coast, Mesoamerica

Considered the 'mother culture' of Mesoamerica, originating traits later inherited by the Maya and Aztec.

Elamite Civilization

Southwestern Iran

A persistent Near Eastern power whose political and cultural identity endured for over two millennia alongside Mesopotamia's empires.

Traits both developed independently

With no documented contact, any shared trait below represents independent development rather than transmission from one to the other.

Monumental architecture Irrigation agriculture Long-distance trade Urban planning

Olmec Civilization only

Astronomical record-keeping

Elamite Civilization only

Bronze metallurgy
Iron metallurgy
Standing army