Uncontacted contemporaries · 500 overlapping years

Olmec Civilization Etruscan Civilization

For 500 years — from 900 BCE to 400 BCE — both civilizations existed simultaneously. Neither this dataset nor the historical record shows any documented trade, war, or diplomatic contact between them.

1,500 BCE 27 BCE

Olmec Civilization

1,500 BCE–400 BCE

Etruscan Civilization

900 BCE–27 BCE

↑ Overlap begins, 900 BCE

Olmec Civilization

Gulf Coast, Mesoamerica

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

Etruscan Civilization

Central Italy

A loose league of city-states in central Italy whose customs and alphabet were absorbed into Rome's own emerging culture.

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 Astronomical record-keeping Urban planning

Olmec Civilization only

No traits unique to Olmec Civilization in this comparison.

Etruscan Civilization only

Bronze metallurgy
Iron metallurgy
Standing army
Seafaring