Figurine, Gulf Coast, MexicoMore recently discovered than the Maya and of greater antiquity, the anc
Figurine, Gulf Coast, MexicoMore recently discovered than the Maya and of greater antiquity, the ancient Olmecs are far less well understood than their famous successors. From a tropical heartland along the coast of the gulf of Mexico, they spread their resources, products and probably their ideas far across the Mesoamerican landscape. Consummate artisans in all kinds of stonework, they must also have been skilled traders–the materials (such as basal, jade, serpentine, magnetite, and obsidian) had to be imported from afar. They were masters of several forms of representational carving. A number of striking and obviously symbolic motifs charged with an unknown meaning also run through their sculpture. Prominent among these are composite human-jaguar figures, and human figures such as hunchbacks. Heads are frequently shown deformed as if bound in infancy, and teeth may be filed or missing. These small figures echo many important Olmec motifs in their elongated skull shape, slanting eyes, thick lips with down-turned corners, and general stance. Their earlobes and nasal septums were pierced for attaching ornaments. -- source link
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