Final answer:
The Olmec civilization predates the Maya and the Aztecs by over a millennium, and they were responsible for numerous cultural and technological developments that influenced their successors.
Step-by-step explanation:
More than 1500 years before the Maya and 2000 years before the Aztecs, a little-known people called the Olmec flourished. The Olmec civilization dates back to 1200 B.C.E., and they are credited with numerous advancements, including the development of a written language and a calendar system that would significantly influence the civilizations that followed, such as the Maya and the Aztecs. The Olmec established their presence in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, and they set the foundation for future Mesoamerican cultures with their achievements in architecture, art, and agriculture.