The Mystery of the Olmecs [Paperback]

David Hatcher Childress (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2007

Lost Cities author Childress takes us deep into Mexico and Central America in search of the mysterious Olmecs, North America’s early, advanced civilization. The Olmecs, now sometimes called Proto-Mayans, were not acknowledged to have existed as a civilization until an international archeological meeting in Mexico City in 1942. Now, the Olmecs are slowly being recognized as the Mother Culture of Mesoamerica, having invented writing, the ball game and the “Mayan” Calendar. But who were the Olmecs? Where did they come from? What happened to them? How sophisticated was their culture? How far back in time did it go? Why are many Olmec statues and figurines seemingly of foreign peoples such as Africans, Europeans and Chinese? Is there a link with Atlantis? In this heavily illustrated book, join Childress in search of the lost cities of the Olmecs! Chapters include: The Mystery of the Origin of the Olmecs; The Mystery of the Olmec Destruction; The Mystery of Quizuo; The Mystery of Transoceanic Trade; The Mystery of Cranial Deformation; The Mystery of Olmec Writing; more. Heavily illustrated, includes a color photo section.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Adventures Unlimited Press; Revised edition edition (September 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931882711
• ISBN-13: 978-1931882712
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from the real Indiana Jones!, July 30, 2007

By 

Brad Olsen "Travel Writer" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystery of the Olmecs (Paperback)

I have been reading David Hatcher Childress' books for over a decade, and I am routinely amazed at how much information he can pack into one book! Time and time again, it's another fine book to ponder ancient mysteries that are glossed over in other publications. "The Mystery of the Olmecs" is no exception, including a great selection of photos and maps to help guide us along on the journey of discovering more about this enigmatic people who were the first on the scene in Central America. Highly recommended!Sacred Places Around the World (108 Destinations) (Sacred Places: 108 Destinations series)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Childress does it again, September 18, 2007

By 

Skyman (Brooklyn,NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mystery of the Olmecs (Paperback)

I've been reading his books & articles for quite some time and no one seems to convey as much information as he does. This is the most & up to date info on the Olmecs you'll find anywhere. The Olmecs pose more questions than answers and so they are ignored my the mainstream. When that happens it is we, the public who are deprived of any details about them. As most people don't even know the name let alone the mystery of these people. But I was surprised he didn't include a passage from Alan Alford's book "Gods of the New Millennium". A chapter in that book may provide clues & answers to who the Olmecs were & where they may have come from.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Illustrated Work, April 27, 2008

By 

ZANZIBAR "Hotep" (Diaspora) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mystery of the Olmecs (Paperback)

Childress' "Mystery of the Olmecs" is a good quick read. It explores many theories regarding Olmec history. He mentions the Olmecs custom of flattening their heads. Childress also makes note of drilling a whole in ones head to become more psychically powerful. David Childress thinks the remnants of elongating heads through headwraps may be found in turban wear.

The Olmecs as well as many other cultures, consider elongated heads more handsome and represented higher intellect. Having been called a "bean head" growing up I wonder if there is any truth to this.

Childress makes some pretty interesting connections between the Olmec and Shang Dynasties. I don't buy into the theory of an army of Chinese eunchs representing the Olmec in any way. And I believe the hallucinogenic mushroom angle a bit far fetched.

Childress definitely supports the diffusionist theory vs the isolationist, and so do I. He makes comparisons of the writing script of the Shang & Olmec Dynasty and brings out many similarities. This book is one of the most well illustrated with many Olmecs images in Guatemala never seen before. I enjoy Hatcher Childress' Lost cities series and place this book right along side them.