Monument 19 from La Venta (National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City). Credit: Marco M. Vigato in Uncharted Ruins
Discover how the Olmec elites of the Gulf Lowland civilization used art to enhance their political power in a recent article by Dr. Jill Mollenhauer published in Latin American Antiquity. By incorporating aesthetic and ritual practices from rock art into sculptures, they tapped into the spiritual essence of the landscape, legitimizing their authority within urban centers.
The Olmec, an ancient Mesoamerican society dating back to 1800 BCE–300 CE, were known for more than just colossal heads; they also created intricate rock art.
Dr. Mollenhauer’s research uncovered a wealth of rock art around the Gulf Olmec region, revealing its significance and challenges for study due to dating issues. She acknowledges the contributions of local experts who shared knowledge about these sites.
Rock art and sculptures served different purposes; while rock art was integrated into landscapes symbolizing sacredness and spirituality, sculptures represented order and governance within built environments.
Olmec rock art often marked sacred locations along travel routes or rocky hillsides associated with spiritual forces, contrasting with sculptures linked to domestic spaces and cosmic balance.
2024-09-16 07:15:02
Article from phys.org