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A Linguistic Look at the Olmecs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Lyle Campbell  and
Terrence Kaufman
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Abstract

This paper explores the hypothesis that the archaeological Olmecs, at least in part, were speakers of Mixe-Zoquean languages. The hypothesis is supported by not only geographical and temporal correlation, but by Mixe-Zoquean loan words in other Mesoamerican languages, many of which refer to things diagnostic of the Mesoamerican culture area. Also the cultural inventory revealed in Proto-Mixe-Zoquean vocabulary provides additional support.

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Type
Reports
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American Antiquity , Volume 41 , Issue 1 , January 1976 , pp. 80 - 89
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1976

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