Dr. Clyde Winters : The Decipherment of the Olmec Writing System

This Paper was presented at the 1997 Central States Anthropological Society Meeting. It provides a good summary of the decipherment of the Olmec Writing System

Abstract

We summarize the decipherment of the Olmec writing. It explains that Olmec is a syllabic writing system used in the Olmec heartland from 900 BC- AD 450. The decipherment of the Olmec writing of ancient Mexico provides us with keen insight into the world of the Olmec. These earliest text written in America, helps us to understand the culture religion and politics of the Olmec.