Final answer:
The Olmec civilization is credited with first discovering how to grow cacao as a domesticated crop, alongside other important staples like maize and beans. Cacao held significant cultural and economic importance in Olmec society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Olmec civilization, which emerged around 1200 BCE in Mesoamerica, is recognized as one of the first complex civilizations in the region. Not only did they create monumental architecture and art, but they also made significant advancements in agriculture.
Cacao is among the crops that archaeologists believe the Olmecs first discovered how to grow as a domesticated crop. The evidence suggests that cacao was used prominently by the Olmec in various daily and traditional activities, such as trading and rituals like weddings, indicating its cultural and economic importance.
The Olmec also grew a variety of other crops, including maize, avocados, palm nuts, squash, tomatoes, beans, and tropical fruits, which together sustained their complex society and influenced future Mesoamerican civilizations.