Hi Kanacki
Olmec metalwork ? ? ?
Hello BillA
A good question?
The Olmec civilization, which flourished from 1200–400 BCE, defines the Pre- Classical period; the Olmecs are generally considered the forerunner of all Mesoamerica cultures including the Maya and Aztecs. Primarily centered in the modern states of Tabasco and Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico, the Olmec people are known for creating an abundance of small and extraordinarily detailed jade figurines. The figurines typically exhibit complex shapes such as human figures, human-animal composites of deities and gods, and animals like cats and birds. Although we don’t know the specific purpose of these jade objects, their presence in some Olmec graves suggests they served a religious purpose in addition to being signs of wealth and goods for trade.
Where were the ancient Olmec jade and metal mines? ... Archeologists had come to the conclusion that only rudimentary gold metalwork was used in ancient times. It was believed that the various cultures like the Olmec did not know how to work metals until the Aztec and Mayans. While orthodox archeology in the 1950s come to conclusion that Olmec culture did not produce gold metal work because the assumption that gold working did not occur before 700AD in in Mexico. However the fact remains metal working in Peru evolved around 1200 BC. Yet in short period of time the Aztec and Mayan began working metals. Later research has questioned that hypothesis.
That accounts of conquistadors of the Aztec noted that some gold was in crude ingots and the Aztec inferred they was from upsurged cultures and recycled. Thus there is growing consensus that gold working of artifacts in Mexico at least much earlier than than first concluded. While the Olmec culture was defined only by its Jade mask production as well large heads. Little was given to gold workings because no gold working could be directly attributed to them. Specifically at their key identified archeological sites. But here is the problem Olmec culture expanded further than their perceived borders. And other Archaeologist hypothesized that as the Olemec culture declined most of that cultures gold artifacts was absorbed by the post Olmec culture then into Mayan and Aztec cultures.
However a recent re investigation into artifacts discovered in 1920s later challenged 1950s conclusion that Olmecs did not work gold? that when 10 graves was found hidden in caves in the hills near the Monte Alban Archaeological site, belonging to the Zapotec culture.
Some Artifacts found was believed to have Olmec influence. The Olmec's decline from Whatever the cause, within a few hundred years of the abandonment of the last Olmec cities, successor cultures became firmly established. The Tres Zapotes site, on the western edge of the Olmec heartland, continued to be occupied well past 400 BCE, but without the hallmarks of the Olmec culture ie jade head masks. This post-Olmec culture, often labeled Epi-Olmec, has features similar to those found at Izapa, some 550 km (330 miles) to the southeast Which evolved into the classic Veracruz culture. Which in-turn was absorbed by Zapotec. The archaeological zone of Monte Alban, belonging to the Zapotec culture.
The caves around Mt Alban was looted by treasure hunters in a era looting graves was acceptable and thus the context of these finds are admittedly ill defined. Cave 7 was the only cave not looted by treasure hunters. Ancient Olmec artifacts lay side by side with artifacts from later cultures. Monte Alban developed through 4 distinct periods in which Olmec artifacts became absorbed into later cultures such as the ones mentioned above. Thus the mask was found in situ with Olmec jade masks questions the orthodox view.
Which suggests that archeologists incorrectly defined Olmec culture by identifying the style alone on Jade stone heads and masks alone.
Thus why the above gold piece is an important work. However who knows how much is still in private hands or just melted down for its gold content?
Kanacki
