 The Olmecs were the first inhabitants of the Americas to construct monumental architecture and to settle in towns and cities . They were also the first people in the Americas to develop a sophisticated style of stone sculpture . In the first decade of the 21st century evidence emerged of Olmec writing , with the earliest examples of Olmec hieroglyphs dating to around 650 BC . Examples of script have been found on roller stamps and stone artefacts ; the texts are short and have been partially deciphered based on their similarity to other Mesoamerican scripts . The evidence of complex society developing in the Olmec heartland has led to the Olmecs being regarded as the " Mother Culture " of Mesoamerica , although this concept remains controversial . 
 The Olmecs <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> the first inhabitants of the Americas to construct monumental architecture and to settle in towns and cities . They <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> also the first people in the Americas to develop a sophisticated style of stone sculpture . In the first decade of the 21st century evidence emerged of Olmec writing , with the earliest examples of Olmec hieroglyphs dating to around 650 BC . Examples of script <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>have</mark></a> been found on roller stamps and stone artefacts ; the texts are short and <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> been partially deciphered based on their similarity to other Mesoamerican scripts . The evidence of complex society developing in the Olmec heartland <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>has</mark></a> led to the Olmecs being regarded as the " Mother Culture " of Mesoamerica , although this concept <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>remains</mark></a> controversial . 
The Olmecs was the first inhabitants of da Americas to construct monumental architecture and to settle in towns and cities . They was also the first niggas in tdaAmericas to develop a sophisticated style of stone sculpture . In the first decade of thda1st century evidence emerged of Olmec writing , with thedarliest examples of Olmec hieroglyphs dating to around 650 BC . Examples of script done been found on roller stamps and stone artefacts ; the da are short and done been partially deciphered based on their similarity to other Mesoamerican scripts . The edaence of complex society developing in the Olda heartland done led to the Olmecs being regarded as the " Mother Culture " of Mesoamerica , although this concept remain controversial .