The Rubber People
Even before Goodyear, the Olmecs and other Mesoamericans naturally vulcanized rubber by mixing the rubber compounds with the sap and juices of Ipomoea alba, a species of Morning glory.
The Olmecs were one of the first civilizations in the Americas and are credited for the invention of many concepts including: bloodletting, potential human sacrifice, the invention of zero, the Mesoamerican calendar, and writing and epigraphy. But what makes the Olmecs relevant to this issue is the invention of the Mesoamerican ballgame. The name Olmec literally means ‘rubber people’ in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs. Archaeologists have found rubber balls dating back as far as 1600 BCE in a sacrificial Olmec bog, which predates any other Mesoamerican ballgame remains. The earliest ballcourt, however, can be found in Chiapas at the site Paso de la Amada which dates back to 1400 BCE. The original rules and game structure are virtually unknown to us, although the surviving form of the ballgame, ulama, strongly resembles volleyball (although other evolutions are similar to a soccer and even basketball). El Quelite is one of the few places left that regularly play ulama, and games can be seen on the weekends.
There exists several Olmec ruins in Mexico today, one of the more famous being La Venta in the state of Tabasco (yes, like the hot sauce), and the remains are located in the archaeological museum in the city of Villahermosa, Tabasco. Unlike other sites, La Venta appears to be a ceremonial center as it contains elaborate burials, monuments, and sculptures. It is at La Venta where archaeologists found ten foot high Olmec heads. Although there is no written documentation of the heads, historians and archaeologists can only guess at their meaning. Many seem to agree that the heads represent famous ball players due to the individuality of each head as well as the headgear. Even more puzzling than the meaning of the statues is how they appeared in La Venta. The Olmecs worked in basalt quarries in the area and created these works of art in said quarries. Somehow the Olmecs transported the enormous figures to La Venta without the aid of iron tools or the wheel, although if the Egyptians could transport gigantic blocks of brick to make the pyramids, surely anything is possible. And speaking of pyramids, La Venta also contains its own ‘Great Pyramid.’ Probably one of the earliest pyramids in Mesoamerica it stands 110 feet tall. Due to erosion, the pyramid has not been excavated, and the secrets of the Olmec lay buried inside.
Villahermosa holds considerable significance in today’s world as well. It is where the political power of Tabasco resides, due mostly to the oil industry. Besides this, Villahermosa boasts several parks and museums. The Mirador de Las Aguilas offers a spectacular view of the Laguna de las Ilusiones (Lagoon of Illusions), which offers tranquility in the midst of city living. There are several other museums including the Regional Anthropology Museum, Natural History Museum, and the Tabasco History Museum that will go over the Olmec as well as other Mesoamerican and more recent cultures.
Don’t get too involved in the ancient cultures as you’ll miss out on the rich Mexican culture all around. Important days to remember are: April 25 – St. Mark’s Day; May 5 – Mexican Independence Day; mid-June – Corpus Christi; November 1-2 - Day of the Dead. These are just a couple, there are many more national as well as local holidays celebrated differently in each city.