The mystery from thousands of years ago still haunts scientists. The monumental heads remain silent

Monumental, silent, and full of mystery, the Olmec stone heads have intrigued archaeologists and historians for over a hundred years. Although they were made thousands of years ago, we still wonder who their creators were and what their purpose was. Are they portraits of past rulers, ritual monuments, or something else entirely?

In the late 1850s, a farmer in southern Mexico stumbled upon a massive, partially buried object. When he began to dig it out, he saw distinct carvings. This was the discovery of the first head of the Olmecs , a civilization considered one of the oldest in Mesoamerica .

Since their first discovery, the Olmec's monumental heads have fascinated researchers. Despite decades of research, it is still not known exactly when and why these impressive sculptures were created – and even less who they depict. It is one of the greatest mysteries of pre-Columbian America .

The colossal head of San Lorenzo 6 (also known as the San Lorenzo 17 monument), on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, November 15, 2017 / Shutterstock

The Olmecs inhabited the Gulf Coast between 1200 and 400 BC, predating the Maya and Aztecs . Their artistic and architectural legacy is the foundation of the region's culture. The most impressive remains are 17 stone heads , the largest of which is over 3 meters high and weighs 45 tons. But their monumentality is not the only mystery.

The basalt from which the heads were made came from the distant Cerro Cintepec mountain. Transporting the blocks must have been a huge logistical challenge – probably using sleds, rafts and wooden rollers. The heads themselves were carved by hand, using stones and sand.

The heads wear characteristic helmets, which may refer to a ritual ball game or battles. Their features are realistic and unique – researchers believe that they do not represent gods , but rulers. Interestingly, two of the heads were created from transformed thrones – suggesting a connection with ancestor worship or a funerary function.

Olmec Colossal Head, La Venta Museum Park, Villahermosa, Tabasco - Mexico / Shutterstock

To this day, the original location of most of the heads has not been determined – many of them were moved, perhaps by the Olmecs themselves. They can currently be admired in museums in Veracruz , Xalapa and Mexico City .

The sculptures remain a silent testimony to a civilization that, although long gone, still speaks to our imagination.