This sculpted head, now in the
Anthropology Museum of
Xalapa, came from the village
where the Olmecs built their
first settlements. One of three
villages with Olmec sites, San
Lorenzo Tenochtitlan was
home to the Olmecs from
1200 BC to 900BC.
Anthropology Museum of
Xalapa, came from the village
where the Olmecs built their
first settlements. One of three
villages with Olmec sites, San
Lorenzo Tenochtitlan was
home to the Olmecs from
1200 BC to 900BC.
The Olmec builders incorporated stone drainage or water conduits constructed from basalt and
also erected six massive sculptured heads of basalt weighing as much as 20 tons each. They hauled
these stones 50 miles from the distant volcano of the Tuxtla mountains near present-day Catemaco.
also erected six massive sculptured heads of basalt weighing as much as 20 tons each. They hauled
these stones 50 miles from the distant volcano of the Tuxtla mountains near present-day Catemaco.
At another site, Tres
Zapotes,
archaeologists
discovered the first
Olmec head. During
a 1939 excavation
archaeologist
Mathew Sterling
discovered a stelae
bearing a long count
date of 32 BC.
Zapotes,
archaeologists
discovered the first
Olmec head. During
a 1939 excavation
archaeologist
Mathew Sterling
discovered a stelae
bearing a long count
date of 32 BC.
San Lorenzo was first excavated by
Archaeologist Mathew Stirling in
1941. The site was later
investigated by Michael Coe and
Richard Diehl. In 1967 the site was
mapped by the Coe expedition.
Their work shows artificial
enlargement of plateaus to 150 feet
in height on which the Olmecs built
their settlement
An extensive system of basalt tiles,
some of which are in the small
museum at the site, show
engineering prowess by the
inhabitants of the Olmec city and
have been proposed as potable
water carrying aqueducts.
Archaeologist Mathew Stirling in
1941. The site was later
investigated by Michael Coe and
Richard Diehl. In 1967 the site was
mapped by the Coe expedition.
Their work shows artificial
enlargement of plateaus to 150 feet
in height on which the Olmecs built
their settlement
An extensive system of basalt tiles,
some of which are in the small
museum at the site, show
engineering prowess by the
inhabitants of the Olmec city and
have been proposed as potable
water carrying aqueducts.
San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Olmec Ruin Site Veracruz, Mexico
Colossal head # 10 pictured above was sculpted from a 20- ton block of basalt
brought 60 miles from the Tuxtla Mountains. This sculpture is at the entrance of the
museum at San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Veracruz State, Mexico. The Olmec
settlement was active from 1200 BC to 900 BC on the Coatzacoalcos River
drainage system. First excavated by Archaeologist Mathew Stirling in 1941 and
later by Archaeologists Michael Coe and Richard Diehl in 1967,
brought 60 miles from the Tuxtla Mountains. This sculpture is at the entrance of the
museum at San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Veracruz State, Mexico. The Olmec
settlement was active from 1200 BC to 900 BC on the Coatzacoalcos River
drainage system. First excavated by Archaeologist Mathew Stirling in 1941 and
later by Archaeologists Michael Coe and Richard Diehl in 1967,
At San Lorenzo, excavators found ten Colossal heads sculpted from blocks of basalt that had been hauled
60 miles from the Tuxtla mountains to the site which at the time was an Island in the Coatzacoalcos River.
Head # 1 of 17 so far found and numbered in the order of discovery is at the Museum of Anthropology in
Jalapa, the capitol of Veracruz State.
Unusual black stones with holes that could be fishing net weights have puzzled researcher and visitor alike.
One theory proposed is that they are iron ore devices used to generate sound. The wear on the stones
appears that they were likely used for weights to sink fishing nets.
Archaeological features at the village of san Lorenzo will escape all but the trained eye. The museum,
however, is worth the visit for devotees of the Olmec.
60 miles from the Tuxtla mountains to the site which at the time was an Island in the Coatzacoalcos River.
Head # 1 of 17 so far found and numbered in the order of discovery is at the Museum of Anthropology in
Jalapa, the capitol of Veracruz State.
Unusual black stones with holes that could be fishing net weights have puzzled researcher and visitor alike.
One theory proposed is that they are iron ore devices used to generate sound. The wear on the stones
appears that they were likely used for weights to sink fishing nets.
Archaeological features at the village of san Lorenzo will escape all but the trained eye. The museum,
however, is worth the visit for devotees of the Olmec.
San Lorenzo was
once the early home
of the Olmec culture
Ten stone heads were
found at San Lorenzo,
a signature of the
Olmec culture noted
for the creation of
large sculptured
stone heads .
The head at right is at
the entrance to the
musem in the village
where in 1200 BC,
the Olmecs built their
first settlements.
San Lorenzo was a
flourishing Olmec
settlement from
1200 BC to 900BC.
once the early home
of the Olmec culture
Ten stone heads were
found at San Lorenzo,
a signature of the
Olmec culture noted
for the creation of
large sculptured
stone heads .
The head at right is at
the entrance to the
musem in the village
where in 1200 BC,
the Olmecs built their
first settlements.
San Lorenzo was a
flourishing Olmec
settlement from
1200 BC to 900BC.
Olmec sculpted head at the entrance to the small museum at San Lorenzo
Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan
Olmec sculpture on display at the small museum at San
Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, the early home of the Olmec culture
Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, the early home of the Olmec culture
Reaching San Lorenzo and the Olmec Homeland:
Bus out of Mexico City Tapo or Norte for Veracruz. From Veracruz head to Coatzacoalcos or
Minatitlan south east of Catemaco. Then head by local bus to Acayucan where you get a collective taxi
for the ten miles to the small farming village of San Lorenzo. (San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan. Just Tenochtitlan
on some maps)
From Oaxaca , ADO first Class bus to Coatzacoalcos or Minatitlan bus to Acayucan, taxi to San Lorenzo.
Have lots of small change for taxis and water. (5 and 10 peso, 20 peso max.) Cash is scarce in remote
areas of Mexico
Bus out of Mexico City Tapo or Norte for Veracruz. From Veracruz head to Coatzacoalcos or
Minatitlan south east of Catemaco. Then head by local bus to Acayucan where you get a collective taxi
for the ten miles to the small farming village of San Lorenzo. (San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan. Just Tenochtitlan
on some maps)
From Oaxaca , ADO first Class bus to Coatzacoalcos or Minatitlan bus to Acayucan, taxi to San Lorenzo.
Have lots of small change for taxis and water. (5 and 10 peso, 20 peso max.) Cash is scarce in remote
areas of Mexico
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The metate used to grind corn, probably
for the makiing of tortillas
for the makiing of tortillas
San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Olmec Ruin Site Veracruz, Mexico
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