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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok celadon jarlets selling both 15th century or older 2 3/8" tall no significant damage, tiny chips on unglazed footrims, the one with handles has a very old restoration on top rim and one handle. no cracks. b31

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok celadon jarlets selling both 15th century or older<br>2" tall no significant damage, no cracks, no restorations.<br>B31

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Mini Travis County Austin Texas arrowhead found in 1943 with letter 21.25mm x<br>11mm converted to a tie tac long ago without damaging it. Very nice point, this<br>was found by me with the note tucked away as part of one of most interesting<br>persons estates I've had the pleasure of dealing with in ages.

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West Texas Native American Prehistoric Water Bottle Possibly Caddo Quapaw. Extremely early piece likely 1000+ years old. I know it came with some stuff that was definately found in west Texas. Bunch of arrowheads and pieces, etc. Though it has more of a Incan/Mayan feel to it especially with the effigy on the spout. I'm sure it's not 20th century and it is what it's supposed to be. No restorations or cracks, small chip on rim. just shy of 12" tall x 7.5" wide.TW154

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Prehistoric Pottery Pots Fresh from an Estate Pair. Selling both Prehistoric pots. Tallest is 8.5" with some repairs and chips on top and 3 small holes in bottom. The ribbed one is 6" tall x 7" wide, some chips on top and a tight stable hairline. They're both in stable condition and likely over 1000 years old. Selling both. TW74

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought<br>a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult<br>time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once,<br>but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or<br>centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert.<br><br>This piece is 3.5" wide x 9" long. No cracks, chips, or restorations. I'm not<br>sure what it is. It doesn't whistle just by blowing in it, probably an art to<br>it.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought<br>a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult<br>time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once,<br>but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or<br>centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert.<br><br>This piece is 6" tall x 7.5" wide. No notable damage other than an old chip on<br>the rim. No cracks or restorations.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once, but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert. Selling 5 pieces, largest piece is 4 3/8", it's been broken and glued, there seems to be some ancient chips. The whistle works very well, missing horn.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought<br>a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult<br>time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once,<br>but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or<br>centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert.<br><br>Selling 4 pieces, they're all four very heavy like store, but appear to be made<br>from clay. The larger 5" head appears intact, the other pieces seem to be<br>missing limbs possibly.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought<br>a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult<br>time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once,<br>but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or<br>centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert.<br><br>Selling 4 pieces one pipe or whistle looks to have old chips and possibly be<br>missing some feet. One face appears to be a shard, another face effigy, and some<br>sort of funnel or incense cover. Largest piece is 3 7/8"

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once, but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert. Selling 7 pieces, largest piece is 3.5" the whistle works but has an old repair. Seems to be some ancient chips.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once, but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert. Selling 8 pieces, largest piece is 4", there seems to be some ancient chips.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once, but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert. Selling 7 pieces, largest piece is 5", there seems to be some ancient chips.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought<br>a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult<br>time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once,<br>but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or<br>centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert.<br><br>This piece is 4.5" tall x 5" long. No cracks, chips, or restorations.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery. I bought a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a difficult time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all at once, but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about regions or centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become an expert. This piece is 7.25" tall x 3 7/8" wide. A few small patinated nicks off right side headdress. Old chip at bottom of hole for smoke. No other damage.

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Guaranteed 100% 30 day guarantee to be authentic pre Columbian pottery or art. I<br>bought a collection, the collectors are no longer with us so I'm having a<br>difficult time with it but I'm sure it's all old. I probably won't list it all<br>at once, but it's all pre Columbian and guaranteed to be so. I won't lie about<br>regions or centuries because I don't know all that and don't have time to become<br>an expert. I'm going to try to pass on what I would pay to a good auction house<br>to you.<br><br>This piece is 8.5" tall with base x 3 3/8" wide without base. It has a no<br>brainer patina and was mounted on the metal base at a later date for display.

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Early Crucible? rounded bottom pot from Archaeologists estate 5 7/8" tall x 4 1/8" wide at rim, possible old wear old loss, no cracks or restorations. I'm unsure what culture this is from or exactly how old it is but I think it's really old and possibly a crucible. tw105

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Central American Chancay Figure Very Early. Very old piece came from a collection of relics and Pre-columbian artifacts from Central America. I believe it's original circa 1000 A.D. and will back that up with no questions asked return if you aren't happy. 6.75" tall , doesn't stand well by itself, a few small flakes, no restorations. TW82

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Antique Clay Snake Form Ceremonial Pipe. I honestly have no idea on this pipe<br>other than it's really well made and has an inventory number on the base that<br>looks to have been applied in the mid 20th century. It's estate fresh from a<br>good honest collection of multicultural artifacts, it's tough to say where it<br>came from before that but it was collected long ago. Looks to have been longer<br>at one point and broken at the top. Other than a few small chips shown, no other<br>breaks, no restorations or cracks. 13" long x 5.5" wide at the widest part.<br>TW117

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4pc Colima Pre Columbian Pottery Collection. Nice old lot of original Mayan/Aztec Effigy's. Tallest 3 5/8", appropriate wear, no restorations. These are estate fresh, purchased in Colima in about the mid 20th century. B70

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Ancient Egyptian/Chinese Sancai Ram figure with Provenance from the Estate Of Hugh McMath University of TX Dean of Architecture. Ok so I'm 100% sure it's ancient and belongs in a museum...just not sure where it's from. If I found it in a collection of Chinese items I'd be sure it was Tang Dynasty Chinese or around that time. Thing is this guy got around quite a bit in the early to mid 20th century with an interest in Archaeology/Architecture. It has a custom fitted wood base with the number 13 on the base and I'm sure there's a list somewhere that says where he found this. It has old restorations on one horn and in the back. Really it's a little difficult to tell what's restoration and what they may have been afraid to clean off upon excavation. I believe it was discovered, not sure when by Hugh McMath who played an important role at the University of TX for many years, there's much information about him in the UT library, below is a description of his papers. 4" long x 3" tall without stand that was obviously made circa mid 20th century to display it. Hugh L. McMath papers Location: Alexander Architectural Archives Subject Tags: Architecture Collection Type: Archive & Notable Collection The Hugh McMath papers include textual and photographic material primarily documenting his 44-year teaching career in the School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin. He held a deep interest in the art and architecture of Mexico and developed courses in pre-Hispanic and Colonial architecture of Mexico and published several monographs on the subject. Record types include photographs, correspondence, student work, writings, and faculty papers. I just bought this a few hours ago along with other items from the estate, right now I don't have time in my life to research anything for more than about 5 min or so and I'm always overwhelmed with stuff so I wanted to get it photographed and put in a safe place and hopefully have time to spend on it later or I'll take it with me next time I go to a better auction house. b63

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200BCE+ Thai Ban Chiang Large decorated vessel. Very early piece, thousands of<br>years old, heavily restored in 1960's when it was excavated. This piece is 12.5"<br>tall x 9.5" wide without the circa 1960's wood stand. The restoration is good<br>and strong and it will be double if not triple boxed. I'll assure it reaches<br>it's destination intact.<br>tw7

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok celadon jarlets selling both 15th century or older<br>2 3/8" tall no significant damage, tiny chips on unglazed footrims, the one with<br>handles has a very old restoration on top rim and one handle. no cracks.<br>b31

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Condiment Jar with Lid. Very early piece of Thai pottery 15th century collected in the mid 20th century by a woman that is now 96. I'll be selling more of her items shortly. 3.25" tall x 4 3/8" wide One chip on top of lid and some roughness inside the rim on the lid and base that is likely a combination of firing flaws and minor wear from centuries of use. b31

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Thai Sawankhalokk Celadon Jarlet with lobed decoration and handles Some small<br>chips to footrim, purchased in 1973 I am not sure what was used to write that on<br>the bottom but chose not to attempt to remove it. No cracks or restorations.<br>Sorry I forgot to measure this and it's packed but it's about 2.5" to 3" tall.<br>TW132

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Condiment Jar with Lid. Very early piece of<br>Thai pottery 15th century collected in the mid 20th century by a woman that is<br>now 96. I'll be selling more of her items shortly. 3" tall x 3.75" wide with no<br>cracks, chips, or restorations.<br>TW129

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok celadon Tall bottle or Vase with incised<br>decorations 15th century or older 4" tall one handle looks to have very old<br>restoration, tiny chip on top rim, no cracks or other issues.<br>b31

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok celadon jarlets selling both 15th century or older 2 5/8" tall no significant damage, tiny chips on unglazed footrims, no cracks, no restorations. B31

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok celadon jarlets selling both 15th century or older<br>2" tall widest is 2.5" . Decorated one has tiny chip on footrim, no other<br>cracks, chips, or restorations.<br>B31

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Celadon Jar. 3.75" tall x 4.5" wide, red low fired clay, some firing glaze flaws on top likely from overstacking the kiln. B31

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Ancient Artifact Prehistoric Mayan Pre-Columbian Pottery Carved Cylindrical<br>Vessel. This and a few more I'm listing are part of an estate collection, I<br>believe they had a small museum in the nineties or before. There was everything<br>from Native American to Pre columbian pottery, everything so far was real. I<br>purchased awhile back but am just now getting around to listing. Guaranteed<br>authentic, hassle free returns. Very old cracks and restorations throughout. 7"<br>tall x 5.5" wide. This is a very special, rare, and labor intensive museum<br>quality piece.<br>tw94

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Ancient Artifact Prehistoric Tool possibly Neolithic Celt Mississippian ax Authentic. This and a few more I'm listing are part of an estate collection, I believe they had a small museum in the nineties or before. There was everything from Native American to Pre columbian pottery, everything so far was real. I purchased awhile back but am just now getting around to listing. Guaranteed authentic, hassle free returns. 5.75" long. TW82

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Ancient Artifact Prehistoric Mayan Pre-Columbian Black Stone Hammer Carved Effigy. This and a few more I'm listing are part of an estate collection, I believe they had a small museum in the nineties or before. There was everything from Native American to Pre columbian pottery, everything so far was real. I purchased awhile back but am just now getting around to listing. Guaranteed authentic, hassle free returns. 6.25" tall x 4.5" wide. TW82

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Ancient Artifact Prehistoric Tool possibly Neolithic Celt Mississippian ax Authentic. This and a few more I'm listing are part of an estate collection, I believe they had a small museum in the nineties or before. There was everything from Native American to Pre columbian pottery, everything so far was real. I purchased awhile back but am just now getting around to listing. Guaranteed authentic, hassle free returns. 4 1/8" long. TW82

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Pre-Columbian Aztec Jaguar Warrior figures and head shard. Selling both out of<br>an important collection of world artifacts all purchased through major auction<br>houses/reputable galleries. The receipts I did find showed price was no object.<br>I feel really fortunate to be able own these items even if just for a short time<br>and to be able to offer them at a fraction of what they last sold for. The<br>collector collected for himself and was low key as are his heirs, so as much as<br>I would love to acquire more provenance on each item it's just not possible at<br>this point without being intrusive, then possibly still not possible.<br><br>The head shard is great and all, measures 4.75" wide x 4.25" tall with loss<br>shown, likely broken at the neck and part of a large figure. This Jaguar warrior<br>is absolutely amazing, polychrome decorated, has an amazing "no brainer" to me<br>patina overall. Very realistic figure made by a skilled potter at the time. 6"<br>tall with old restorations to clean break at head, base of sword, and one leg.<br>Even though this is not incredibly large it is incredibly nice and my guess is<br>the previous owner paid thousands of dollars for this figure. Selling both<br>pieces shown. Guaranteed over 500 years old.

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c700bc Luristan bronze animal figures. Largest approx 3" tall and wide, selling<br>all three, guaranteed authentic with no questions asked returns. The two headed<br>figure appears to have once had a base. These were used as pendants/saddle<br>ornaments. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping<br>liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the<br>20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of<br>what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a<br>small fortune. They come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case<br>measuring 6.5" cube, some wear/adhesive residue to case, figures 5 3/8" tall,<br>some wear to figures but no major breaks or repairs. The figures are over 3000<br>years old and guaranteed authentic.<br><br>isshelf

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Pre-Columbian Mayan Pottery Head 3.5" tall, no restorations. isshelf

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Ancient Carved Marble Votive Head, Alexandrian, Egypt. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. They come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case measuring 4" tall x 2.75" wide, some wear/adhesive residue to case, Head 1.25" X 7/8"

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Ancient Roman Bronze buckle This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. They come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case measuring 4" tall x 2.75" wide, some wear/adhesive residue to case, buckle 2.5" x 1 1/8" tw154

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c700-1000bc Luristan bronze spear and arrowhead collection. Largest 4.25" long,<br>smallest .5" long. Sorry there aren't more pics but I really don't want to<br>handle these anymore than I have to for obvious reasons. This is part of a large<br>collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable<br>sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm<br>pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the<br>galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. They<br>come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case measuring 6.5" cube, some<br>wear/adhesive residue to case, figures 5 3/8" tall, some wear to figures but no<br>major breaks or repairs. The figures are over 3000 years old and guaranteed<br>authentic.<br><br>isshelf

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Large Mayan Pre-Columbian polychrome decorated pottery footed Vessel. Measures 12.5" tall. A few inconsequential chips top and bottom and overall wear, no cracks or restorations. . Guaranteed authentic Central American pottery approximately 1000 years old.

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1st Century Ancient Roman Triangular Terracotta Lamp Handle. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. They come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case measuring 6.5" tall x 4.5" wide, some wear/adhesive residue to case, Artifact is 3 5/8" tall x 3.25" wide.

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Ancient Roman Bronze buckle. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. They come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case measuring 4.5" tall x 3" wide, some wear/adhesive residue to case, Artifact is 2" x 1 3/8" wide.

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Ancient Roman Terracotta Jewelry mold or Votive offering. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. They come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case measuring 4.5" tall x 3" wide, some wear/adhesive residue to case, Artifact is 1.5" x 1.25" wide and appears to have some loss at the top and bottom, possibly part of something larger. Votive offerings have been part of the human relationship with s and belief from pre-history to the present. Today we might light a candle, a stick of incense, lay a bunch of flowers or in some Catholic churches people still leave a wax body part by way of an offering, but in the ancient world the practice was more wide-ranging, literal and multifaceted. The ancient Greeks and Romans offered them to a deity to bring good fortune or to grant favours and they were an important expression of their personal relationship with their s and desses. And when it came to matters of health and personal wellbeing, they were often anatomical.

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Condiment Jar with Lid. Very early piece of Thai pottery 15th century collected in the mid 20th century by a woman that is now 96. I'll be selling more of her items shortly. 3" tall x 3 5/8" wide No cracks, chips, or restorations. asianshelf

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Condiment Jar with Lid. Very early piece of Thai pottery 15th century collected in the mid 20th century by a woman that is now 96. I'll be selling more of her items shortly. 4 3/8" tall x 4.5" wide One restored chip and associated stable hairline shown left center of the last pic. No other significant issues. asianshelf

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Condiment Jar with Lid. Very early piece of Thai pottery 15th century collected in the mid 20th century by a woman that is now 96. I'll be selling more of her items shortly. 3.25" tall x 4 3/8" wide One chip on top of lid and some roughness inside the rim on the lid and base that is likely a combination of firing flaws and minor wear from centuries of use. b31

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3pc Ancient Korean Ceramics lot Goryeo-Joseon Dynasties. Selling the three pieces shown, all 500-1000 years old, possibly older. Center piece has no damage 10" tall, the white vessel has a large but stable crack running all around it, left piece has an old professional restoration to top rim that has degraded somewhat and a tight stable hairline around the base. Selling all three good early pieces of Korean ceramics that display very well and are real. isshelf

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Very Large 15th/16th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Condiment Jar with Lid. Very<br>early piece of Thai pottery 14th-16th century with 1984 appraisal. I've had<br>several similar jars from this period, still have a few and this is the largest<br>and one of the most attractive I've seen. 6 5/8" wide x 6.5" tall. I've examined<br>this very closely under both strong light and under UV light and I suspect the<br>top handle has a very good, old professional restoration even though it doesn't<br>show under UV light, I could find no other damage or restorations. Just there is<br>no crazing to the finial and the extreme tip of the handle is white.<br>asianshelf

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Large 15th/16th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Blue Underglaze decorated jar, No<br>cracks, chips, or restorations. 5.5" wide x 3 5/8" tall.<br>asianshelf

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Large 15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Celadon Jar. 6.25" tall x 5.75" wide, tiny<br>chips to footrim, no significant damage, no restorations. Detailed description<br>in 1984 appraisal included with item.<br>isshelf

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15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Kiln Condiment Jar with Lid. Very early piece of<br>Thai pottery 15th century collected in the mid 20th century by a woman that is<br>now 96. I'll be selling more of her items shortly. 3 3/8" tall x 5" wide with no<br>cracks or restorations, 4 small chip on rim of base.<br>asianshelf

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Large 15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Celadon Jar. 6.25" tall x 5.75" wide, tiny<br>chips to footrim, no significant damage, no restorations. Detailed description<br>in 1984 appraisal included with item.<br>isshelf

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Ancient Chinese pottery bull. Museum collection numbers on base, part of a large<br>collection many having similar numbers. Likely excavated with glaze degradation,<br>likely Tang Dynasty. 5.75" long x 3.75" tall with no cracks, chips, or<br>restorations.

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Ancient Roman Bronze buckle. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. Buckle: 2 1/8 by 1 3/4 inches Display: 4 1/2 by 2 3/4 by 2 1/2 inches Some wear/tape residue to acrylic top.

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Ancient Roman Terracotta Jewelry mold or Votive offering. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Just the displays alone must've cost a small fortune. They come in a very fancy Steel/acrylic display case, case measuring 5.25" tall x 3.5" wide, some wear/adhesive residue to case, Artifact is 2.5" tall x 2.25" wide and appears to have some loss at the base, possibly part of something larger.

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Pre-Columbian Quimbaya Hanging Incense Bowl. A similar example without the figures on the sides can be found in the Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1938, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 38.586. 9" wide x 5.5" tall. Excavated item with professional museum grade restorations. Appears to have been broken into several large pieces and restored, all pieces appear present. Very special piece.This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions.

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Ancient Terracotta head on stand. From a collection of world artifacts, much eastern, much from the central and Southern US. Honestly not 100% sure where it's from but I know it's early, guaranteed over 500 years old, likely much older. 3" x 3.25" wide without stand, 4.5" tall with stand. Stand is vintage, head is an ancient shard and particularly nice. b60

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Large Pre-Mayan Olmec Articulating Arms Pre-Columbian figure. 10" tall x 7" wide, very old restoration on one shoulder and to neck I believe, very old stable fissures at hips. Rare, museum quality with unusual complex articulating arms likely intended to hold various size offerings. The arms move smoothly and fluidly with no evidence of a string as seen with simpler versions of these. This was made by a master potter approx 2500 years ago. Authenticity guaranteed. This is part of a large collection of artifacts I'm helping liquidate, all purchased from reputable sources over the last quarter of the 20th century, money was no object. I'm pricing everything at a small fraction of what it cost from the galleries/auctions. Olmec, the first elaborate pre-Columbian civilization of Mesoamerica (c. 1200–400 BCE) and one that is thought to have set many of the fundamental patterns evinced by later American Indian cultures of Mexico and Central America, notably the Maya and the Aztec. The Nahuatl (Aztec) name for these people, Olmecatl, or Olmec in the modern corruption, means “rubber people” or “people of the rubber country.” That term was chosen because the Olmecs extracted latex from Panama rubber trees (Castilla elastica) growing in the region and mixed it with the juice of a local vine (Ipomoea alba, moonflower) to create rubber. The chief Olmec sites are San Lorenzo, La Venta, Laa de los Cerros, and Tres Zapotes in what is now southern Mexico. Much of what is known about the Olmecs was inferred from archaeological excavations at those sites, which have uncovered large earthen pyramids and platforms and monumental stone carvings. The Olmecs are especially identified with 17 huge stone heads—ranging in height from 1.47 to 3.4 metres (4.82 to 11.15 feet)—with flat faces and full lips, wearing helmetlike headgear. It is generally thought that these are portraits of Olmec rulers. Other Olmec artifacts include so-called baby-faced figures and figurines. These display a rounded facial form, thick features, heavy-lidded eyes, and down-turned mouths, and they are sometimes referred to as were-jaguars. The Olmecs lived in hot, humid lowlands along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in what is now southern Veracruz and Tabasco states in southern Mexico. The first evidence of their remarkable art style appears about 1200 BCE in San Lorenzo, their oldest known building site. This site is remarkable for its many stone monuments, including some of the colossal carved heads mentioned above. In the late 20th century a stone slab engraved with symbols that appear to have been the Olmec writing system (sometimes called epi-Olmec, or Isthmian) was discovered in the village of Cascajal, near San Lorenzo. The Cascajal stone dates to approximately 900 BCE and may be the oldest example of writing from the Americas. Other objects containing glyphs include the Tuxtla Statuette, the Chiapa de Corzo shard, the O’Boyle mask, and the La Mojarra stela (discovered 1986). The last object, which displays 465 glyphs, greatly facilitated the interpretation of the epi-Olmec language, though many questions remain. The Olmecs developed a wide trading network, and between 1100 and 800 BCE their cultural influence spread northwestward to the Valley of Mexico and southeastward to parts of Central America. The constructions and monuments of the Olmecs, as well as the sophistication and power of their art, make it clear that their society was complex and nonegalitarian.

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