Art

Olmec cities were famous for their massive stone sculptures, even though the region had almost no stone nearby. Their most famous creations are the colossal heads, carved from volcanic basalt. Some of these heads are taller than a person and weigh 20–40 tons. Each Olmec art is full of strange, beautiful, and mysterious designs. 

(Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

One of the most famous pieces is the Lord of Las Limas, a 55-cm greenstone statue showing a young person holding a supernatural baby. Its shining pyrite eyes once reflected light like mirrors. It was discovered by two children cracking nuts atop it, who at first didn’t know what they had found!

Other famous artworks include:

The Wrestler, a realistic sculpture of a seated man

Were-Jaguar figures, which combine human and jaguar features

Small jade carvings, masks, and figurines

Much of Olmec art is still a mystery because we don’t know exactly what their symbols and shapes meant.

Much of Olmec art is still a mystery because we don’t know exactly what their symbols and shapes meant.rafts. These heads were probably once brightly painted, meaning Olmec cities might have been full of colorful artwork.

Only 16 colossal heads have been found — there may be more hiding under the jungle.