WHAT ARE THE OLMEC

HEADS?
Many ancient civilizations left behind intrigue even archaeologists still
puzzle over today. In South America alone, we see cases of
anomalous disappearances and unexplained history such as the
Incas’ abandoned citadel, Machu Picchu, and the mysterious Mayans’
disappearance, which continue providing fodder for questions about
what really happened to these societies.

When it comes to the Olmec people, one giant factor continues to be

debated: their colossal heads.

Not of the people themselves, but the 8-ton sculptures of heads they
buried underground. The Olmec heads have become yet another
famous and mysterious element of ancient cultures we just haven’t
solved yet.

OLMEC PEOPLE AND CIVILIZATION

The Olmec people lived in southeastern Mexico between 1,500 and
400 B.C., in the lowlands of what is today Tabasco and Veracruz.
They are credited with being the first civilization to develop in
Mesoamerica, with the Olmec heartland being one of the six cradles of
civilization.

Olmecs were the first inhabitants of the Americas to settle in towns

and cities with monumental architecture. Evidence has also been
found for Olmec hieroglyphs around 650 B.C., as well as scripts on
roller stamps and stone artifacts. The fine Olmec artwork survived in
several ways, including figurines, sculptures, and of course, the
colossal heads.
While the Olmecs seem to have been well-established tradesmen with
routes, the civilization vanished around 300 B.C. , although its
influence is obvious in the Mayan and Aztec civilizations that followed.

OLMEC COLOSSAL HEADS

The Olmec colossal heads are aptly named — of the 17 uncovered in
the region, the average weight is around 8 tons, standing three meters
tall and four and a half meters circumference. Perhaps more than any
other aspect of the Olmec heads, their size is cause for a great deal of
analysis and speculation.

The heads were carved from a single basalt boulder retrieved from
Cerro Cintepec in the Tuxtla Mountains. After their creation, the heads
were then transported 100 kilometers to their final destination where
they were buried. Most of the heads are wearing a protective helmet,
which was worn by the Olmec during battle and the Mesoamerican
ballgame, and it is likely they were originally painted with bright colors.

While the heads have been dated to either the Early Preclassic period
(1500–1000 BC) and the Middle Preclassic (1000–400 BC) period, it is
difficult to say for sure, given that many were removed from their prior
contexts before archaeological excavation.

WHAT WAS THE HEADS’ PURPOSE?

Although the reason why the Olmec created the colossal heads
remains unclear, there are many theories.

Because all of the heads have different facial features, they could
be portraits of the rulers, as scholar M.E. Miller identified one of the
heads to be the second-millennium BCE ruler of San Lorenzo. Miller
posits this could have been an act of remembrance following that
ruler’s death.
Conversely, the heads may have been defaced and buried by
subsequent rulers to more strongly legitimize their claim to power.

Other theories suggest perhaps the figures were famous ball-court

players, with the reasoning that the flattened noses and grimaces on
the faces of the heads reflected the highly aggressive sport.

HEADS FROM THE DIFFERENT SITES

Whatever the purpose of the heads, they were left underground for
3,000 years until the first head was re-discovered in 1871 CE, with the
most recent excavation in 1994 CE.

The 17 heads were found across three sites in Mexico: La Venta, Tres
Zapotes, and San Lorenzo.
LA VENTA

Image Source: AncientWisdom.com

Heads found at La Venta all faced the Atlantic, with the largest
flattened so as to also function as an altar. The speaking tube from the
mouth to the ear were considered possible oracles or talking gods.

The large size and weight of the heads opens up questions as to how
the Olmec moved them from where they obtained the stone over 80
kilometers away.
TRES ZAPOTES

Image Source: AncientWisdom.com

The first head was found in 1938 by Dr. Stirling, who noted it was both
realistic and negroid in character.
SAN LORENZO

Image Source: AncientWisdom.com

Ten of the 17 heads have been found at San Lorenzo, arranged in a

plaza with red sand and yellow gravel.

THE MYSTERY REMAINS

The Olmec civilization proves similar to many others that developed in
Latin America, in that they left behind intriguing clues that still have not
been solved.

Colossal heads found buried in the former Olmec cradle of civilization

raise interesting questions about the culture
and technological capacity of the Olmec people.

Additionally, the Olmec heads are not an entirely unique phenomenon.

The heads of Easter Island, Mt. Nemrut, and the underwater heads of
Egypt all bear resemblance to the Olmec heads, despite all of these
being scattered around the world.

Along with their influence upon the civilizations that followed, the
Olmecs’ colossal heads give contemporary archaeologists and history
enthusiasts alike plenty of questions to continue pondering.

Chichen Itza
Located in Yucatan, appointed by the UNESCO as World Heritage and considered one
of the ""New Seven Wonders of the World"". The archaeological site covers an area of
6.5 square kilometers. Composed by the south area that dates back to the VII century
and shows the maya Puuc construction style and the central area, built after the arrival of
the Toltecs around the 10th century, it shows the fusion of the Puuc architectural styles
and the central highlands of Mexico.
The most impressive structures of Chichen Itza are located in the central area. There you
will find the ball game, temples, the spectacular Castle (Pyramid of Kukulkan) and the
Mayan calendar stone that measures 25 meters. The Toltec warriors are represented in
the engravings found around the entrance, at the top of the Castle. The local guides will
provide detailed information about Chichen Itza and even take you to a Sacred Cenote.

During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun creates the illusion of a snake
ascending or descending the stairs of the Pyramid of Kukulkan, a fantastic phenomenon
that attracts many people. The illusion is reproduced in the sound and light show that
takes place every evening in the archaeological site. You can explore the archaeological
sites of Chichen Itza in a day, or spend the night at the Hacienda Chichen, a place of the
sixteenth century beautifully restored and transformed into a luxury hotel and spa.

The Aztec calendar stone itself

We are unsure of how the stone itself was used, but it may have been simply a monument
or possibly a sacrificial altar. In the centre is the terrible sun god, Tonatuih (some believe
this may be the earth god). Each of his hands holds a human heart, and his tongue is a
ritual blade for sacrifice. As you may know, the sun required blood to remain strong, and
human sacrifices were often offered. (read more about the Aztec sun god)

The four squares that come next show the four previous creations that perished (by jaguars,
wind, rain and water). Next come the 20 signs mentioned above, the days of the Aztec
month. The 5 dots are the 5 unlucky days, days of sacrifice.

The next area has square sections with dots, possibly representing weeks of 5 days each.
The eight angles are rays of the sun.

Finally, on the Aztec calendar stone there are the snakes that come head to head. The
symbols may represent the 52 years in a cycle. Between the tails is a symbol probably
showing the date the stone was carved. At the edge are 8 equally spaced holes. Sticks may
have been placed in these, in order to use the calendar as a sundial.

The artist carved the Aztec calendar stone in 1479. Naturally, it was dedicated to the
sun god. It was a massive carving, 3 feet thick, almost 12 feet across, and weighing almost
25 tones (22.5 tonnes). It was carved from basalt - a solidified lava, this being an area
where volcanos were common. But then it was lost - buried under the central square of

Mexico City - for over 300 years.

Then, in 1790, renovations began on the central square (Zocalo) of Mexico City. On
December 17th, the massive carving was unearthed, renewing interest in Mexico's ancient
cultures. It was the Aztec calendar stone, or, more properly, the Cuauhxicalli Eagle
Bowl.

For a while it remained on display in the Western Tower of the Metropolitan Cathedral, and
then in 1885 it was moved to the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico, where it
remains to this day.

The famous calendar stone is a brilliant combination of artistry and geometry. It reflects
the Aztec understanding of time and space as wheels within wheels. The detailed surface of
the stone combines the understanding of the gods the people had created over the
centuries as well as their observations of the heavens.