The Olmec (1200 BC-400 BC) were a Mesoamerican people in the Gulf region of Mexico that were the predecessors of the Mayan and Aztec cultures. They developed urban areas with sacred temples and government buildings. They are most famours for the massive colossal stone heads that they constructed. Archaeologists are not sure what the purpose of the monuments were but are in relative agreement that the political leaders are depicted. The uniqueness of the facial features of each monument has led them to that conclusion. The leaders are depicted with jaguar paws and warrior helmets.
The stone monuments are nearly twenty feet in height and are made of basalt, which was transported nearly a hundred miles. There have been seventeen colossal stone head monuments discovered to date.
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