Final answer:
Olmec cities likely evolved from competing chiefdoms or tribes, evidenced by their complex societal structures, elite class, and the influence they had on later Mesoamerican cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Archeologists believe that Olmec cities arose from competing chiefdoms or tribes rather than clans, kingdoms, or city-states. This is inferred from their societal structure, monumental sculptures, and the development of a ruling elite class with control over labor forces and trade networks. Reflecting on the Olmecs as a "mother culture," we understand that they had significant influence on subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Maya and the Aztec, by spreading their religious beliefs, artworks, and governance systems. Cultural remnants, such as giant stone head sculptures, pyramid structures, and evidence of an extensive trade system substantiate this legacy.