Olmec Jade Standing Figure - CK.0762, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmec Jade Standing Figure - CK.0762, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The Olmecs are generally considered to be the ultimate ancestor of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Thriving between about 1200 and 400 BC, their base was the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico, an area characterized by swamps punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. Here the Olmecs practiced advanced farming techniques and constructed permanent settlements, including San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, La Venta, Tres Zapotes, Laguna de los Cerros, and La Mojarra. However, the consolidation of their city- states led to notable cultural influence far beyond their heartland, and throughout the Mesoamerican region. This was confirmed in 2005 with the use of NAA (Neutron Activation Analysis) and petrography to demonstrate the spread of Olmec ceramic vessels. It would appear that the Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in other (predominantly highland) groups, with evidence for exchange of artifacts in both directions. A non- literate group, the Olmecs nevertheless paved the way for the development of writing systems in the loosely defined Epi- Olmec period (c. 500 BC). Further innovations include arguably the first use of the zero, so instrumental in the Maya long count vigesimal calendrical system. They also appear to have been the originators of the famous Mesoamerican ballgame so prevalent among later cultures in the region, and either retained or invented several religious symbols such as the feathered serpent and the rain spirit, which persisted in subsequent and related cultures until the middle ages.   « Less

Olmec Jade Figure Holding Her Hands by Her Ears - CK.0763, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 9.375" (23.8cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Olmec Jade Figure Holding Her Hands by Her Ears - CK.0763, Origin: Mesoamerica, Circa: 1200 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 9.375" (23.8cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Stone Mask - PF.1907, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.

Olmec Stone Mask - PF.1907, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.   « Less

Olmec Stone Maskette - PF.2600, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1150 BC to 550 BC, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.

Olmec Stone Maskette - PF.2600, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1150 BC to 550 BC, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.   « Less

Olmecoid Jade Maskette - PF.2616,Origin: Costa Rica,Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC,Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high,Catalogue: V10,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Olmecoid,Medium:  More »

Olmecoid Jade Maskette - PF.2616,Origin: Costa Rica,Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC,Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high,Catalogue: V10,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Olmecoid,Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jade Mask of Tlaloc - PF.3143,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide,Catalogue: V20,Collection:  More »

Olmec Jade Mask of Tlaloc - PF.3143,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide,Catalogue: V20,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Olmec,Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jadeite Mask - PF.3359, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jadeite.

Olmec Jadeite Mask - PF.3359, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jadeite.   « Less

Olmec Stone Pectoral/Pendant of a Mask - PF.3470, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 3.125" (7.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Stone Pectoral/Pendant of a Mask - PF.3470, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 3.125" (7.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.   « Less

Olmecoid Stone Mask - PF.3764, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Stone.

Olmecoid Stone Mask - PF.3764, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Stone.   « Less

Olmec Greenstone Mask - PF.4263,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Olmec,Medium: Greenstone.

Olmec Greenstone Mask - PF.4263,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Olmec,Medium: Greenstone.   « Less