The Epi-Olmec script, also known as the Isthmian script, is one of the earliest writing systems in Mesoamerica. This script is notable for its use during the period from around 500 BCE to 500 CE, bridging the gap between the collapse of the Olmec civilization and the rise of other Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya civilization.
The Epi-Olmec culture, from which the script derives its name, succeeded the Olmecs in the same geographic area, primarily in the region of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in modern-day Mexico. This culture is thought to have had significant influence on subsequent civilizations in terms of artistic, architectural, and linguistic developments. The script itself was used on various media including stone stelae, ceramics, and portable objects.
The language of the Epi-Olmec inscriptions is not definitively known, but linguistic analyses suggest it could be related to the Mixe-Zoquean language family, which is still spoken in the region today. This connection could imply cultural continuity from the Olmecs through the Epi-Olmec period into later Mesoamerican cultures.
The Epi-Olmec script's influence can be seen in later Mesoamerican scripts, particularly in terms of glyph design and writing conventions. Although it did not survive in a recognizable form into the Classic Period, elements of its writing system might have influenced the development of scripts like the Maya hieroglyphs.