Olmec Colossal Heads

The Olmec were one of the first civilizations, if not the first civilization of Mesoamerica. They flourished from 1200 B.C.E. to about 400 B.C.E., and then somehow disappeared.

The Olmec have been credited with a number of innovations. Their culture developed a form of writing, the use of zero and a calendar, and the Mesoamerican ballgame that became popular in the region. They also developed a unique style of art. Perhaps their most famous contribution to human society, however, is their colossal heads.

The Olmec colossal heads are enormous heads, wearing helmets, that were sculpted out of rock. At least 17 have been found, each distinct in their features, and their helmets also include unique symbols. The heads are truly huge, ranging from almost 5 feet to 11 feet in height, and many tons in weight. Remember, this is not a whole person, just a head! They were carved from huge basalt boulders, some quarried in the Tuxtlas Mountains; some from the basalt of Cerro Cintepec; others from basalt found on San Martin Volcano. Carving a single head has been estimated as taking 1,500 people three to four months of work.

These heads were found at several locations that are known to have been Olmec settlements. To reach their final locations, it seems that the heads were carried on rafts made of balsa along the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico. Not an easy trip, so these Olmecs must have been pretty determined not only to carve these heads but also to bring them to their villages.

Without any surviving stories or documentation regarding these heads, there has been plenty of speculation about their meaning and purpose. Given the uniqueness of their features and helmet symbols, it has been suggested that they represented kings or other significant leaders. The helmets give the impression that they might be warriors, although some have even suggested that they were players in a ballgame!

These sculptures being so notable, many have tried to understand more about the Olmecs through studying the heads. Their facial features, with thick lips and flat faces resemble African faces, which has led some to speculate that the Olmecs were of African origin. An alternative explanation for these features though is that the basalt boulders allowed only a shallow space for carving. Additionally, it has been noted that the eyes are Asian in style, a feature still found in natives of Mesoamerica.

Regardless of whether they are accurate representations of their leaders or more fanciful creations that were not intended to bear likeness to anyone, these Olmec colossal heads are amazing examples of the incredible creativity human beings have evidenced everywhere and in all time periods, even in ancient cultures. The Olmecs used their natural resources to build impressive and long-lasting monuments to those they wish to honor. And, in return, we can certainly feel great respect and appreciation for the Olmecs. Although I might never meet an Olmec, these colossal heads offer a great window into the soul of this culture.

Olmec Stone Head at Parque-Museo La Venta, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
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Olmec Colossal Head
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Colossal Head
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Olmec Stone Head 5x4
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Mexico, Villahermosa, giant Olmec head, La Venta
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OLMEC
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Olmec head - out in the jungle
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Copyright © Jennifer P. Tanabe, 2009.
This page was created on May 28, 2009 and is the property of jptanabe (Jennifer P. Tanabe) and Squidoo, LLC. Please do not copy my material!