Massive cache of ilmenite cubes discovered at San Lorenzo elite palace. Six metric tons of ilmenite cubes (≈100,000 pieces) found in a pit next to the Red Palace at San Lorenzo. Cubes are walnut‑sized, made of weakly magnetic ilmenite, each with three precisely drilled holes. 40,000 intact cubes and 60,000 fragments indicate heavy use before ceremonial burial.
Archaeologists uncovered ~100,000 walnut-sized ilmenite cubes (six metric tons) in a pit beside the Red Palace at San Lorenzo. 40k intact cubes and 60k fragments denote heavy ceremonial use during the Olmec period.
Key Facts
- Six metric tons of ilmenite cubes (≈100,000 pieces) found in a pit next to the Red Palace at San Lorenzo.
- Cubes are walnut‑sized, made of weakly magnetic ilmenite, each with three precisely drilled holes.
- 40,000 intact cubes and 60,000 fragments indicate heavy use before ceremonial burial.
- The deposit is dated to the Olmec period (≈1500‑500 BC) and is associated with elite contexts.
Related site: San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán Museum — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Why Is No One Talking About This Olmec Discovery? by Archaeologist Ed Barnhart