Monument 19 shows earliest feathered serpent depiction 1400-400 BC

May 03, 2026

MexicoArtifact

City/town/settlement1500 - 500 BC

Source: Luke Caverns Live Stream by Luke Caverns

Site mentioned

Monument 19 at La Venta contains what may be the first known depiction of the feathered serpent, dating between 1400-400 BC. Archaeologists describe the artwork as timeless and masterfully executed, with no precursor version found. This monument marks the beginning of one of Mesoamerica's most enduring and recognizable iconographic symbols that would persist for millennia.

Key facts

Monument 19 at La Venta is the first known depiction of the feathered serpent
Dating ranges from 1400 BC to 400 BC
The artwork is described as timeless and masterfully executed with no precursor version
This represents the beginning of one of Mesoamerica's most enduring iconographic symbols
Archaeologists cannot precisely date Olmec monuments

Sources

File:Olmec Monument 19, La Venta, 1300-400 BC.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org

Olmec Monument 19, La Venta, 1300-400 BC.jpg Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixels. Other resolutions: 320 × 213 pixels | 640 × 427 pixels |

AA.01.0442 | Ancient Americas at LACMAancientamericas.org

Drawing of Carving on Monument 19 from La Venta Depicting a Seated Figure in the Coil of a Serpent. Artist: Schele or Reilly? Medium: Black ink on mylar.

La Venta - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

Monument 19, from La Venta, the earliest known representation of a feathered serpent in Mesoamerica. Courtesy George & Audrey Delange. Altars 4 & 5. edit.

"La Venta, Monument [photo 05]" by Carl L. Thurmanscholarworks.uni.edu

Monumental sized carved basalt sculputre of serpent and human. Description: La Venta, Monument 19, Fantastic Serpent. Comments. La Venta is a pre-Columbian ...

Olmec (circa 1400-400 BCE) Monument 19, from La Venta, Tabasco ...tumblr.com

The early Olmec feathered serpent, as shown here, is thought to have acted as a forerunner for many Mesoamerican deities.

Was this story useful?

← All stories