Smart Traveler’s Guide To The Olmec Heads
The Olmec Colossal Heads are stunning, massive stone sculptures created by the Olmecs, a Mesoamerican civilization predating the Maya and the Aztecs. Step into ancient Mexico and discover the secrets of the mysterious Olmec Heads.
What Are The Olmec Heads?
The Olmec Heads, also called the Olmec Colossal Heads, are giant, basalt boulders carved into detailed, somber faces. They were uncovered at Archeology sites throughout Mexico. It’s possible there are still more out there, waiting to be re-discovered.
The heads are all distinct. Each head has unique facial features and adornments. Scholars believe each might be a sculpted portrait of a different ruler, or a depiction of a different god.
How Many Olmec Heads Are There?
There are 17 known Olmec Heads. All 17 Olmec heads can be found in Mexico.
An ancient colossal head unearthed in Guatemala may or may not be Olmec.
Where Are The Olmec Statues?
The Olmec statues are scattered across archeological sites, museums, and cultural displays in Mexico. Most were originally found in four archeological sites. The 17th head was found some distance from any known archeological site, and archeologists believe it was abandoned in transit.
Twelve heads were originally found in Veracruz, Mexico: ten in the related San Lorenzo and Potrero Nuevo archeological site, and two in the remains of the ancient Olmec city Tres Zapotes. Four were unearthed at the La Venta archeological site in Tabasco.
Today, visitors can see the Olmec Colossal Heads in these locations:
National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología) in Mexico City, Mexico
The San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan Community Museum in Aguacatepec, Veracruz, Mexico
Xalapa Anthropology Museum (Museo de Antropología de Xalapa) in Xalapa-Enríquez, Veracruz, Mexico
La Venta Archeological Park & Museum (Parque Museo La Venta) in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
On display in the town square of Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico
Tres Zapotes Archeological Site in Tres Zapotes, Veracruz, Mexico
The Museum of Santiago Tuxtla (El Museo Tuxteco) in Santiago Tuxtla, Veracruz, Mexico
There is another ancient, colossal head sculpture that may be Olmec, though archeologists disagree about its origins. This potential 18th Olmec Head is at the Takalik Abaj site in Guatemala.
How Big Is The Largest Olmec Head?
The La Cobata Head is the biggest of the Olmec Heads. It’s 11.2 ft. (3.4 m.) tall, 9.8 ft. (3 m.) wide, and 9.8 ft. (3 m.) long.
It’s roughly 1,056 ft.³
To put this into perspective, consider that about 90 average-sized men could fit inside a hollow version of the La Cobata Head! Or 53 men, if they all wanted to stand.
Archeologists estimate it weighs 40 - 50 tons. That’s 80,000 - 100,000 lbs, or roughly 36,000 - 45,000 kg.
What Sizes Are The Other Heads?
The Olmec Colossal Heads range in size.
The smallest is the Tres Zapotes Monument Q. It’s 4.8 ft. (1.45 m) tall, 4.4 ft. (1.34 m) wide, and 4.1 ft. (1.26 m.) long. Its volume is about 87 ft.³ It weighs 8.5 tons.
The other heads vary between those extremes.
How Old Are The Olmec Colossal Heads?
Using carbon dating and archeological evidence, researchers estimate most of the Olmec Colossal Heads are 3,500 - 3400 years old. However, the most recent were carved 3,000 - 2,400 years ago.
They were created during the Early Preclassic and Middle Preclassic periods. Evidence indicates the heads were transported to different locations over the centuries.
Are There Any Female Olmec Heads?
It’s unclear whether the original sculptors intended any of the Olmec Heads to be read as male or female. The heads do not have recognizably gendered features.
Archeologists have a few hypotheses regarding the lack of gendered features:
- The Olmecs may not have felt gender to be an important factor when it considering rulers or gods
- The Olmecs may have depicted gender in artworks in ways that we no longer recognize
- The heads depict non-gendered gods or authorities
Which Olmec Heads Are The Most Notable?
The most well-known Olmec Colossal Heads are recognized for their intricate carving work and well-preserved details.
San Lorenzo Colossal Head 5, at the Xalapa Museum of Anthropology, is recognized for its nuanced facial expression, possibly showing consternation or grit.
San Lorenzo Heads 2 and 6, at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, showcase intriguing contrasts in head decor and facial features.
The La Cobata Olmec Head, displayed at Parque Olmeca in Santiago Tuxtla, is famously the largest Olmec Head.
Discover Ancient Olmec Sites In Mexico
For those intrigued by the artistry and artefacts of the Mayas, the Aztecs, and the Olmecs, we invite you to the adventure of a lifetime.
Caravan’s Ancient Civilizations of Mexico Tour is a guided, all-inclusive trip through sites of history and culture dating back thousands of years.
To book your ticket, call 1-800-227-2826. For more information, please reach out by phoning 1-312-321-9800.