Question

Some archeologists have debated whether the Olmec were a "mother culture" of Mesoamerican cultures or a "sister culture." Which of the following scenarios would support the hypothesis that the Olmec were not a "mother culture" but rather a "sister culture"?

The Olmecs' use of some ritual items were adopted by other Mesoamerican cultures.
The Olmecs invented a popular ball game that later cultures played.
The Olmecs shared tool-making techniques with a contemporary culture.
The Olmecs' celebration of some gods was adopted by later cultures.

Answer 1

Well, if it is a mother culture, then Mesoamerican cultures would come from it later. I think it would probably be the second, the ball game, because it was originally from the Olmecs, but if it is multiple choices, then it is all but the tool-making techniques.

Answer 2

The correct answer is C) The Olmecs shared tool-making techniques with a contemporary culture.

The hypothesis that supports that the Olmec were not a "mother culture" but rather a "sister culture" is “The Olmecs shared tool-making techniques with a contemporary culture.”

When one civilization is a sister culture to others, is because it shares something in common. Otherwise, the appropriate word should be “influenced”, “inherit”, or “passed”. The Olmec shared many things with other cultures like sharing tool-making techniques with other Mesoamerican cultures. That is why some scientist and anthropologists have the hypothesis that the Olmec were not a "mother culture" but rather a "sister culture".