Olmec agriculture

Olmec agriculture, practiced by one of the earliest civilizations in Mesoamerica, revolved around the cultivation of staple crops like corn, beans, and squash—known as the "Mesoamerican triad." They utilized advanced farming techniques such as slash-and-burn methods to clear land, as well as raised-field systems to manage water and improve soil fertility. The Olmecs also engaged in trade, exchanging surplus crops for goods. Their agricultural practices supported urban centers, allowing for societal development and cultural achievements, such as monumental art and early writing systems, marking them as a foundational civilization in the region.