San Lorenzo site shows Olmec civilization appearing fully formed

San Lorenzo site shows Olmec civilization appearing fully formed. San Lorenzo dates to approximately 3000 BC with its main period around 1800 BC The site features approximately 17 colossal basalt heads, the largest being El Rey Basalt was transported approximately 90 kilometers from the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas volcanic belt

The San Lorenzo site reveals one of archaeology's greatest mysteries: the Olmec civilization appears to 'spring into existence' with no precursor era. Dating to approximately 1200-1100 BC with its main period around 1400-900 BC, the site features roughly 10 colossal basalt heads. The largest, Head 2, demonstrates a fully-formed civilization appearing seemingly out of nowhere in the ancient record.

Key facts:

- San Lorenzo dates to approximately 1200 BC with its main period around 1400-900 BC

- The site features approximately 10 colossal basalt heads, including a massive example weighing around 50 tons

- Basalt was transported approximately 90 kilometers from the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas volcanic belt

- The largest La Venta head weighs approximately 50 tons

- The Olmec civilization 'springs into existence' with no precursor era in the archaeological record

Key Facts

• San Lorenzo dates to approximately 3000 BC with its main period around 1800 BC
• The site features approximately 17 colossal basalt heads, the largest being El Rey
• Basalt was transported approximately 90 kilometers from the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas volcanic belt
• The largest La Venta head weighs approximately 50 tons
• The Olmec civilization 'springs into existence' with no precursor era in the archaeological record
• This represents the clearest example in the ancient world of a fully-formed civilization with no gradual development

Related site: San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán Museum — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

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