In A Nutshell or In One Word The Olmec, Mayan, Incan, and Aztec civilizations are some of the greatest ancient

civilizations in history, and yet we know very little about them compared to other parts of the world.

Though the cultures are alike in many ways, such as their building of pyramids, human sacrifices, and use of hieroglyphics (bar the Inca), they are four distinct cultures that rose and fell at different times for different reasons.

Museum of Architecture Olmeca

To quickly sum up, the Maya were first but learned a lot from the Olmecs, who started 1,200 years later. The Aztecs followed about 400 years after the Mayan civilization began to shrink.

Mayan prophetic inscription, Monument 6

The Inca were from a completely different area and lasted less than 300 years before being wiped out, while still managing to become the most advanced in their short life.

 The Aztecs founded their biggest city, Tenochtitlan. Olmecs were the first major Mesoamerican culture, despite being younger than the Mayans. The Maya were the first Mesoamerican civilization. The Inca Civilization lived in the mountains of Peru.