OLMEC CIVILIZATION - MESOAMERICAtime frame: ca. 1250-1000 bc (about 3,000 years ago)

largest settlement: San Lorenzo, Veracruz, Mexico

The site: about 1,200 acres in size, population of approx. 10,000

The environment: tropical lowlands, swampy, lush vegetation—jungle

features: - large stone monuments- no pyramids, but terrace architecture - a distinct art style in monuments andportable artifacts...ritual practices

- complex multi-tiered settlement system

debate/issues: Was this the fist state level society in the Americas?What effect did it have on the rise of civilization elsewhere in Mesoamerica?

spread of Olmec style (diffusion) and the “mother vs. sister culture” debate...Olmec colonies????

volcanic stone

San Lorenzo

Canton Corralito

the Olmec culture “heartland” (outlined in dark red)

San Lorenzo acropolis(site center) showing monument locations andknown elite architecture

colossal stone head at time of discovery, San Lorenzo

colossal stone heads from San Lorenzo

colossal stone heads from San Lorenzo

colossal stone altar or throne showing a man emerging from a cave or mouth of monster

life-size portrait monuments, El Azuzul, San Lorenzo

moving multi-ton stone monuments by water

palace area, showing pillars and stone drain system covered stone drain system

SAN LORENZO SITE

Olmec style carved ceramic vessels

Olmec style ceramic figurinesrepresenting adults

(about 8-10 inches in height)

Olmec style ceramic figurinerepresenting baby

(about 12 inches in length)

El Manati

carved wooden bustsfound in natural springnear San Lorenzo

approx. ht. approx. 2 feet

OLMEC COLONIES? Canton CorralitoResearch Question: Did the Olmec establish a colony at Canton Corralito,

Chiapas, some 400 miles away from the heartland?

To address this: - excavate the site extensively. - obtain a large sample of pottery and other objects and closely compare them to like objects from San Lorenzo

- “technical style” comparison, rote practices, religious imagery, ethnicity...

the results are conclusive...massive importation...exact forms, technical attributes....BINGO, a colony, and the first such animal identified in the Americas

Implications: - San Lorenzo was a state...why? - spread of style ties to San Lorenzo Olmec- finding support aspects of “mother culture” perspective

Canton Corralito, under excavation

now that’s a trench!

test pits...for sampling and chronology, remember??

confused Canadian

horizontal excavation...for exposing features, right??

large “midden”garbage dump

same pit, excavating by arbitrary 10 cm levels/layers...

same pit, wall profile showing a midden outlined with a trowel

Confused American (see...you’re not alone)

trash deposit

same pit, showing upside-down ceramic vessel feature

Canadian, looking agitated (but most likely just hot and rancid)

sacrificed juvenile (about 12 yrs old) with jade axes

in case that last picture wasn’t enough for you...

cemetery!

this caused someproblems...

woman

man

teenager

man (in front) and teenager from a different angle...

the woman, showing mirror on stomach area...

the mirror, showing my mug...

yes, sometimes archaeology is like the movies...

look like a drug lord to you?

San Lorenzo Cantón Corralito

San Lorenzo (27%) Canton Corralito (34%)

BALD

The Maya...