Ancient Olmec (Unknown)
Olmec (Mexico)
No Portrait Available
The Olmec civilization (c. 1400-400 BCE) is regarded as the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, the first major civilization to develop in the region. Based in the Gulf Coast lowlands of present-day Veracruz and Tabasco, Mexico, Olmec artists produced monumental stone sculpture and fine jade carvings that established the artistic vocabulary for all later Mesoamerican cultures.
The Olmec are best known for their colossal basalt heads. Sixteen have been recovered, ranging from 1.5 to 3.4 meters tall and weighing up to 25 tons. Carved from boulders transported over 150 kilometers from the Sierra de los Tuxtlas mountains, they likely portray individual rulers. Our collection includes 3 works at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and the Met.
Sculptures by Ancient Olmec (Unknown)
3 sculptures catalogued with museum locations. Browse all sculptures
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About Ancient Olmec (Unknown)
Sixteen basalt heads ranging up to 3.4 meters tall and 25 tons have been found at Olmec sites. Transported over 150 km, they likely portray powerful individual rulers and are Mesoamerica's most iconic ancient sculptures.
The Olmec were the first major Mesoamerican civilization (c. 1400-400 BCE), establishing artistic styles and traditions that influenced all later cultures including the Maya, Zapotec, and Aztec.
The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City has the best collection. The Met in New York also displays important Olmec pieces.
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