The Olmec existed between the years of 1300-400BC. They lived on the east Mexican Lowlands. Some say they descended from Asia while other say it was from Africa.  It is believed that they were a sophisticated people but what they left behind would always be a mystery up to this day.

The first discovery of the colossal stone head was found in 1862 in the state of Veracruz along the Gulf of Mexico. Through the years many other artifacts have been found from these ancient people but none as mysterious as the Olmec Heads. It was found that these heads represent one of the Olmec people’s rulers. There was a different motif found on a helmet on each head that is assumed to be an identification of each ruler which honored them while they were alive and commemorated them in death.

These people remain as much of a mystery today as when they were discovered. It is agreed that they were fully formed culturally but left no evidence of the evolution leading up to this. This leads to a number of conclusions: their earlier phases could be in a different location, maybe we just haven’t found the evidence of an earlier development or it could be that their culture was inherited from an earlier culture. Whatever the reason it leaves these people in a shroud of mystery.

Not knowing anything about their beliefs or faith, their social organizations or even what social group they belonged to, leaves research in the dark as to who they were and how they lived. The only thing that makes these people known is the carvings they left behind especially the massive stone heads. These stone heads measure 22 feet high and weigh eight tons. Not a small feat for any culture. These heads raise many more questions than they answer. There have never been any type of bones found to verify that these people existed but exist they did we know that from the legacy of artifacts left behind.