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be proved that Olmec iconography was being used at an carved from granite. The figures stand together amongst the archaeological site, then it must have been the Olmecs who upright jade celts that apparently represent in miniature the tall founded that city, since the Olmecs were the oldest culture. granite stelae that were commonly used by the Olmecs and Maya While there may well have been earlier cultures than the Olmecs (as well as Egyptians, Hindus and other cultures). This exquisite in Mesoamerica, none has been specifically identified by arrangement can now be seen at the National Museum of archaeologists (at least that I am aware of). Anthropology in Mexico City and is one of the most famous Since the oldest Mayan sites such as Uaxactun in the Petén displays in the Olmec section. jungles north of Tikal are thought to have been first built by the Also found at La Venta is the famous Altar 4, which probably Olmecs, it is possible that other older Mayan sites—such as Copan, functioned as a throne. This massive piece of carved basalt, El Mirador and Piedras Negras—were also founded by the Olmecs. weighing tons, depicts a ruler wearing a bird headdress and seated The important Chalcatzingo archaeological site is located at the within a niche. He holds onto a rope that stretches around to the base of Cerro de la Cantera, a twin-peaked outcropping in the sides of the altar. On the side of the altar that has not been southeastern part of Morelos, just south of Mexico City. Carvings defaced is a seated individual whose hands are bound by the rope, found at the site depict mythical and religious themes associated seemingly as a captive. Another suggestion is that it perhaps with agriculture and fertility. The stone engravings and sculptures represents ancestral lineage. Above the seated ruler on the front at this site became the focus of interest in 1934 during studies by of the altar is the enormous open maw of a feline creature. This archaeologist Eulalia Guzman. The area holds remnants of gaping jaguar mouth appears to be metaphorically related to the various cultures from 3000 BC to the present day, which indicate open portal from which the ruler is emerging. the presence of outsiders to the region, including a strong Olmec While La Venta is thought to have been the "capital" or most influence thought to have reached its peak between 700 BC and important city of the Olmecs, this may not actually have been the 500 AD. case. We know so little about the Olmecs that it is impossible to Archaeologists have theorised that Chalcatzingo was an outpost say for sure how important La Venta was or whether there were of the Olmec heartland, established to facilitate trading. Olmec not more important cities and ceremonial sites for the Olmecs. traders brought ceramics, agricultural goods and raw materials For instance, some Olmec sites could be underwater in the Gulf of from other Olmec areas and Chalcatzingo became a trade centrein = Mexico or still buried in the swamps of Tabasco and Veracruz. the region. The site includes low Or major Olmec sites could have been reliefs and sculptures such as "the located in the interior of Mexico, as is King" and "the Flying Man", a mural the case with Chalcatzingo or the of fertility, a procession, "the Puma" recently discovered Zazacatla site and "the Queen" as well as structures For instance, some Olmec sites nearby. These sites are quite a such as the "Tlahuica altar", the could be underwater in the distance from the so-called Olmec Olmec altar" and a ball court. Many . . . heartland and suggest that the Olmec examples of the art and features of Gulf of Mexico or still buried lands—Olman—were quite extensive. the site were published in David C. i Grove's 1984 book Chalcatzingo: in the swamps of Tabasco The mystery remains Excavations on the Olmec Frontier. and Veracruz. The more we find out about the One of the greatest and most famous of the Olmec sites, La Venta, Olmecs, the deeper the mystery surrounding them becomes. We find is typically dated to have been active that the Olmecs seem to include between 1200 BC and 400 BC, which nearly every racial type in the world. places the major development of the city in the so-called Middle How is this possible? The Olmecs are credited with everything Formative Period. Located 18 miles (29 km) inland on an islandin —_ from inventing the wheel, the ballgame and hieroglyphic writing, a coastal swamp overlooking the then-flowing Rio Palma, La and it is now known that they controlled most of southern Mexico Venta would have controlled a region between the Mezcalapa and _ from shore to shore. Coatzacoalcos rivers. The main part of the site is a complex of From a diffusionist point of view, the land of Olman may well clay constructions stretched out for 12 miles (19.3 km) ina have been the "centre of the world", as the Isthmus of north-south direction, although the site is 8° west of true north. Tehuantepec would indeed have been the centre of the world if Many of the site's fabulous monuments are now on display in the there had been a strong transoceanic trade across both the Atlantic archaeological museum and park in the city of Villahermosa, and Pacific oceans. If such trade and movement of ships did Tabasco, the oil capital of Mexico. La Venta and nearby San occur, the land of the Olmecs might well have been a Lorenzo, close to the Tuxtla Mountains, were the source of many cosmopolitical centre where worldwide cultures intermingled. It of the colossal heads that the Olmecs are so famous for. is hoped that upcoming discoveries will lead us to a better Marking the southern end of La Venta's ceremonial precinct is understanding of the Olmecs and their origin. oo an enormous pyramidal mound. Standing at the base is Stela 25/26, which depicts a bundled zoomorphic creature with foliage | About the Author: at the top that is thought to represent a "world tree" or axis mundi. David Hatcher Childress is an independent researcher, explorer The northern end of Complex A is mainly an enclosed courtyard and author of over a dozen books on subjects as diverse as with a massive underground serpentine deposit, thought to alternative archaeology and frontier science, published by his represent the primordial waters of creation. company Adventures Unlimited Press based in Kempton, Illinois, Buried beneath the enclosed courtyard was Offering 4,anow USA. This article is extracted/edited from his latest book The famous funeral offering that is an arrangement of six jade celts Mystery of the Olmecs (reviewed in NEXUS 14/06). For more (adzes) and 15 jade figures of Olmecs with elongated craniums —_ information, visit http://www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com and and Oriental-looking eyes. A single figure that faces the others is also the World Explorers Club website at http://wexclub.com. in the swamps of Tabasco and Veracruz. About the Author: David Hatcher Childress is an independent researcher, explorer and author of over a dozen books on subjects as diverse as alternative archaeology and frontier science, published by his company Adventures Unlimited Press based in Kempton, Illinois, USA. This article is extracted/edited from his latest book The Mystery of the Olmecs (reviewed in NEXUS 14/06). For more information, visit http://www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com and also the World Explorers Club website at http://wexclub.com. NEXUS = 61 For instance, some Olmec sites could be underwater in the Gulf of Mexico or still buried DECEMBER 2007 — JANUARY 2008 www.nexusmagazine.com