Mysteries

The Olmecs are one of the most mysterious ancient civilizations. We still don’t know:

Why they made the colossal heads

What their writing symbols meant

How they moved giant stones without wheels, as the volcanic rock used was over 60-120km away.

Why so much of their art looks gender-neutral

How their leaders gained and kept power

Archaeologists think Olmec leaders claimed to communicate with gods and nature spirits, which gave them special status. Only a small part of San Lorenzo and La Venta has been excavated, and in 2020, a brand-new Olmec site was found near La Venta. Many secrets are still underground.