By 800 BC, elites were appearing in many areas of Mesoamerica. In the Olmec region their effect is particularly marked: the construction under their aegis of ceremonial centres like San Lorenzo and La Venta would have taken many thousands of man-hours of labour.
It is probable that the elite individuals resident at these centres, like their later counterparts, combined the roles of king and priest. Olmec burials are rare but in contemporary Mesoamerican communities we have many examples of elite burials, distinguished by the richness of their grave goods, often including Olmec material.
There is much speculation about how the Olmec related to their contemporaries. They were principal participants in the trading networks of the time, and seem to have established outposts in some regions to ensure a direct supply of prized materials. Through these they may have exercised some influence over neighbouring communities.
It is, however, probable that many areas contributed something to the development of pan-Mesoamerican culture, the contribution of the Olmec being apparent mainly because of its distinctive nature, especially in its art and iconography (religious imagery).
