COM.on C.A.1:e4/22-27       Online published on May 27, 2007.
doi:10.4236/coca.2007.11004
ARGUMENT

ABSTRACT: This article focuses on the controversy that transpacific diffusion from Shang dynasty was responsible for the rise of Olmec civilization. Some scholars who presented the hypothesis featured the evidence including the time, pictographs, symbols, jade carving, and images to illustrate that Shang stimulated or redirected the development of early agricultural societies in Mesoamerica. However, the evidence collected was contradicted by opponents to elucidate the way of indigenous development of civilization in Mesoamerica. The argument suggests there is not enough evidence to support that writing system of Olmec was originated from Shang. The main problem of the Bronze Age China-Mesoamerica connection is the absence of the hallmark technology of China, Bronze, in Mesoamerica. Here we suggest that a few Shang people have possibly fled to American without superstructure of the society. In that case, writing, arts, and other technologies could not be introduced, and developed again later based on the memory of the Shang civilization, which can explain the similarity and inconsistency between Olmec and Shang civilizations. There is no last word on Shang origin of Olmec civilization and further data and evidence should be accumulated to prove or deny the hypothesis.

Key words: Olmec civilization; Chinese Origin; Comparative semeiology; Mesoamerica