rhea sh egeit tee ‘ } Bevan ey : 4) i: i i RH aT i Hs ine i a Sxae se : So - rs Bs < MA EL bhe bat eae . We . bd at De eet ets — ry = re zi pers Rags 7 rere eens eee Sees ; =: =e ee ie Pa | i = Sayre SaaS ie He lpnaty Hii tise Ci hits sate 9! yan Th iti pekg a it iw alichalaniely - - ene Ee INSTITUTION BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY a BULLETIN 158 | = LA VENTA, TABASCO A STUDY OF OLMEC CERAMICS : AND ART By PHILIP DRUCKER : With a Chapter on Structural Investigations in 1943 By Waldo R. Wedel. and Appendix on Technological Analyses “By Anna O; Shepard SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 LA VENTA, TABASCO A STUDY OF OLMEC CERAMICS AND ART By PHILIP DRUCKER With a Chapter on Structural Investigations in 1943 By Waldo R. Wedel and Appendix on Technological Analyses By Anna O. Shepard UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON 1952 ea a eh ee A Nl ee For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price $1.25 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Bureau or AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY, Washington, D.C., May 1, 1951. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript entitled “La Venta, Tabasco: A Study of Olmec Ceramics and Art,” by Philip Drucker, with a chapter on “Structural Investigations in 19438,” by Waldo R. Wedel, and an Appendix on “Technological Analysis,” by Anna O. Shepard, and to recommend that it be published as a bulletin of the Bureau of American Ethnology. Very respectfully yours, M. W. Sriruine, Director. Dr. ALEXANDER WETMORE, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution. II CONTENTS PAGE ENE TOC HILO renee eee tee eet ee eee eee ee a eee 1 Partie xcavations Aang arvitactseee ees as aie o ee eee ae eee 4 TH OeSItCTO LMA VIGIL EN meee mee Mts aE eee saan Seer eee 4 Them O4iexGavatiOnse eee ee ee ee ee eee eae en eam aes 10 Mentitrenchese see ee. ee Se eR a ee Oe ae sats eet 10 Stratigraphicitrenches=2: 22-2 2) 22) eee 20 SELUCLUTAloiMmVeSstipAtiONsess--9 5 ane een aa eee aes 22 Structural investigations in 1943, by Waldo R. Wedel_-__---------- 34 Excavations in Area A-1 (Ceremonial Court) ----------------- 36 NiGUndWexCa VaAtlONSplnie Ame sel eee eee ee ee eee rae 61 MoundkexcavationsuneArca A—o lee: 2a ss) eee eee eee ae 65 Excavations in the east embankment, Area A-4_____-_--------- 76 Summary of structural investigations_ ----------------------- a Wherceramicsioltoluan Ventas ss. 2 en cae ee ee ee eee et eee ae 80 err GrOG Ct iO mes eee ee ee ee ee ee ee Ss a eee 80 NTE ET Lae te ea pes es at Mio Sa Nps A age i ge ed nahn NE 81 Coarsesbuliswalrehos coe oon ee nee ee onan oes ee eee 81 Coarsesblackawanreme eee = Soe tee eee ee eee ae eee eS 90 White-rimmed (or mottled Coarse Black ware) ------------ 92 @OaTSeL BLO WMEWARO see oe ee eee eee ea 92 @oarsesWihitewware= 35 sc 2et Bae eens eae ee eee ae 96 GoarsesRedswares eset. oon eee et eee Se ee eee eee 96 IBrownylacduen WALCt esse en ee ee 97 ITC MEAS tS VVENT CS te ee ke ee eee eer ere arora 98 Wanvientaskineseasteswanesa ee ee eae eee 101 Painted: WATS ope ee ee a ee ee ease ere 104 NesSea leh TINS eee eee ee ee Ne atid a een ee Ore Ee 107 DISHES ATIC LO WAS eee ee eee ee ee i es are 109 Nip rcteh ere rn men eee ewe ime A ofr et re a eee 115 IMiscellancousMorms ss == ee ee eee 119 Distributions of vessel forms by wares_-.-.------------------- 125 Rottery-making techniques: 222. 52-22 a ea ea 126 Vertical distributions of ceramic types------------------------ 126 Rotteny ie UnINGS eee eee eee 2 ee 132 CHaroyn ety gees he SO ee ee eee 132 ay Ventactigurine collections. 225-92 >s24>".2=—--—-==5—)- = 139 Miscellaneous objects of pottery... -- = -]_------= ----_-=---=_- 141 Witilitariany wOrkeinistones oa. 2c aoe ee eee ee eas 144 Ornamentaleworkedestone sae ss eee eee eee ae 146 CRON OOM yee eee See eee er ee ae 147 IV BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 PAGE Part lly Che sculptors arttes—< 2-5 sen ese see eee eee eee eee 152 The:small carviNgs=-< 2225-22225 so-so ee Ss eee eee ee eee eee 153 Figurines representing human beings--_-_-_-_----------------- 153 JOR RS ON se eee ee Ap soe on eeSe SomSo aaa Soar ereseaonsee 160 Pendants forsearplugs: (?).< = 222520255 eae oe eee 162 Pendants (Other): 25-52 esse te oe ee ee ea ee 162 Hematite pendants. . 2-72-22 eee eee eo eee 163 @ryatal pendant=.. 52-3222 an So ae oe eee eee 164 Smalliflares 222022 220s Sees. -ce see ee ae eee ae eee 164 @elt§=22 5 es Sab Se Sat Soe sect ee eee See eee 164 Beads. 25... S- 2255.22 c5ens Seo te ee ee 166 Objects of unknown, Use... = 4. 532-2 eee 168 Manufacturing techniques..2_.-22_-- 222522 ee 172 Rheistone:monuments: 222222523 sees e soc sas eee eee eee 173 Stylistic characters of the sculptures=— =- 2s) a= eae ee 185 Representations of the human form_____-_--_---------------- 185 Jaguar-monsters.and jaguarsice oe eee ee 192 iBird=monsterstandsbirgs ae ors = eee ee a ee eer 194 Other faunali:themes~ = 2. 2224-22 ea en ee oe ee eee 195 Miscellaneous features: 32 u ==. 2 2 eae eee 196 Bloralomotifs =: 232 hse = See eee oe ee 196 Decorative elements... 3-2 22622255--0-— jee ee a 197 SUMMA AOL Sty ISticple atures eye ee eee ee ee 200 Areal relationshipsof the-art 'styles_--=2—-- === - = 5- > 204 Southern Veracruz and adjacent regions__________--___-_-___-_ 204 Centralé Veracruz. 22. oe SSS! See os See ee eee 215 whe-Maya area: Che Peténsise= 225-2 32 22S aie ee eee ee 217 The Maya area: The Guatemala Highland_______-____________ 221 Pacific coast of Chiapas, Guatemala, and El Salvador__________ 222 The: Maya area: Yucatan-- 222-22. 22822222. ee 224 Oaxaca 2.22 o.oo st OM LS as Oe eee ee 225 hei Central Mexican Highland 2:22.05) 2s eee 227 Conclusions as'to,areal relationships: ...--- 25-2. = S. e= 230 PURINA Yo es i een ht a Sc 231 Appendix: Technological analyses, by Anna O. Shepard_______________- 234 Upper Tres Zapotes Fine Paste sherds __.- 3-22-22 2225 ee ee 234 Middile-Tres Zapotes Hine Paste’sherds_ == 355 a eee ee 238 a Venta. Fine Paste sherds: 22.2 96s es ee ee ee 239 ibipiopraphy es. 22 asec eto he es ee ee ee 241 10. ala 12. 13. ILLUSTRATIONS PLATES (All plates following page 248) . Tomb in Mound A-2. Left, Tomb cleared, prior to opening. Right, Interior of tomb, showing flagstone flooring after removal of burials (1942 exca- vations). . Left, Monument 6, the coffer of sandstone, after clearing and removal of most of the cover. Right, Close-up of layers of varicolored clays in wall of cut through entryway, south end of Ceremonial Court, A-1 (1942 excavations). . Adobes cut by pit in West Bastion of Ceremonial Court (1942 excavations). . a, Portion of trench through Ceremonial Court, A—1, looking north; Monu- ment 13 partially uncovered at center, Tomb A’ in background. 0b, Covered pottery vessel deep in clay formation, overlaid by sandy drift, in Cere- monial Court, A-1. . a, Covered pottery vessels in upper sand of Ceremonial Court, A-1l. 5}, Celts in lower clay of main trench, Ceremonial Court, A-1. c, Monkey statue (Monument 12) and slabs, in situ, in upper sand of Ceremonial Court, A-1. a, View north along columns on west side of Ceremonial Court, A-l. 8, Columns exposed in situ in West Trench of Ceremonial Court, A-1. a, Hast Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1, partially excavated, from southeast; note row of inset blocks on east face. 6b, Exterior of north wall of East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1, showing upright col- umns, horizontal bracer, and stone facing band. ec, Interior of brickwork in East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A—1. , Brickwork and underlying clay rubble in East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1. 6, Cruciform cache of celts and hematite mirror beneath brickwork in East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1; top of cross removed in earlier excavation. 8 . Interior of East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1, showing Pavement No. 1, clay rubble, brickwork, and overlying clay and sand. Pavement No. 1 beneath East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1; four appendages at bottom incompletely excavated (see also pl. 11). Top of photo is north. Detail of appendage at southeast corner of Pavement No. 1, beneath East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1; looking south. a, Steps of columnar basalt leading to south edge of Forecourt of Ceremonial Court, A-1, locking north. 0, View north along main trench through Mound A-3 (foreground), across Ceremonial Court, A-1, to Mound A-2 (background). a, Grave deposit or cache (Tomb E) in North Mound, A-2, showing location relative to Tomb A and stone coffer excavated in 1942. b, Grave deposit or cache (Tomb E) in Mound A-2, showing jade celts, earplugs, beads, and other objects in situ. Vv Wal 14. 15. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY (Bull. 153 a, Stone cist (Tomb C) in South Mound, A-3, cleared but unopened. 6, Stone cist (Tomb C) in South Mound, A-8, on completion of its excavation. a, Stone cylinder (Monument 14), showing stone plug in lower end; Mound A-3. b, Jade burial offerings or cache from Tomb D on south slope of Mound A-3, in situ; clay vessel at upper right. c. Cache of serpentine celts south of Pavement No. 2, between Great Mound and Mound A-3. . Pavement No. 2, near south edge of Mound A-3; top of photo is north. . Left, Fragments of small rectangular vessels. Right, Rocker stamped sherds. . Sherds of effigy vessels of Coarse Buff ware. . Complete vessels from 1943 excavations (restored by preparators of Museo Nacional de México). . Incised, stamped, and punctate designs in various wares. . Miscellaneous ceramic features. . Ceramic techniques. . Tres Zapotes figurine heads. . Steps in construction of Style I figurine face, modeled in plasticene. . Tres Zapotes figurine heads. . La Venta figurines, general digging. (All figurines in following plates are from La Venta.) . Figurines, general digging. . Figurines, general digging. . Figurines, profiles of plate 28 specimens. . Figurines, general digging. . Figurines general digging. Left, Front view. Right, Side and back views. ae . Limb and body fragments of figurines. . Figurines, stratitrench 1, Levels 1 and 2. . Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 3. . Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 3. . Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 4. . Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 4. . Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 5 Figurines, general digging. Left, Front view. Right, Side and back views. . Figurines, Stratitrench 3, Level ie 4A’ Figurines, Stratitrench 3, Level 2. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. Figurines, Stratitrench 3, Levels 3, 4, and 5. Left, Aberrant figurines and miscellaneous objects of clay from general digging. Right, Various forms of reworked sherds. Aberrant figurines, strongly modeled (Style III). Objects of stone and other materials. Sample series of notched sherds (and disk, lower right-hand corner, from Stratitrench 38. Jade Figurines 1 and 2, from tomb in Mound A~2, front and side views. Dorsal views of Jade Figurines 1 and 2, and front views of Figurines 3 and 4, also from tomb in Mound A-2 (1 and 2 not same scale as plate 46). Dorsal and profile views of Figurines 3 and 4. Figurine 5, of serpentine, from stone coffer (Monument 6). Left, Front view. Right, Profile view. . Figurines 8, 9, and 10, from 1943 collections. . Figurine 11. JZeft, facial detail. Right, Profile view. . Offerings from Sandstone Cist, Mound A-3. . Left, Clamshell-shaped jade pendant, from tomb in Mound A-2, concave “interior” surface and “hinge” edge. Right, Jade objects of unknown use. . Jade objects of unknown use. ILLUSTRATIONS VII 55. Series of jade celts from offering, Tomb E (1943 season). 56. Left, Jade celt carved with Jaguar-monster design from offering, ‘“‘Tomb” E. Right, Jade, and obsidian objects from Sandstone Cist, Mound A-3 and Monument 6. 57. Jade bobs or pendants associated with earplugs. 57A. Various types of tubular jade beads (a—q), and heart-shaped object of 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. jade (r). Part of series of jade spangles, found with limestone (?) figurine, decorated earplugs, ete. Left, Monument 8, Villahermosa, Tabasco. Right, Celt of dark stone, from vicinity of Simojovel, Chiapas. Left, Monument 9, facial detail. Right, Monument 10. Monument 11. Finca San Vicente. Monument 12. Carving representing a monkey. Monument 13. Low relief carving and possible glyphs. Monument 15. Fragments, presumably from same monument, with portions of Jaguar-monster mask(s). Altar 7, found in 1948. Wash drawing of fragment of stone mask representing the Jaguar-monster, from base of Middle Tres Zapotes deposit (Trench 13, Tres Zapotes). (Drawing by Edwin G. Cassedy.) FIGURES PAGE 1. Sketch to show approximate relationships of structures, sherd areas (S-1 to S—8), and monuments at La Venta.__._________________ 7 2. sketch map, locality of test pits I-Gss.4 +2 -) > cease teveee- Jessen 11 S) ketch map, locality of test pitsi7—10= 1. 5. sind ta 8 yee OR ge 13 4. Sketchimap, locality of test pits 11-21.-__ 1.2. 2222 .4-2-22L 222-22 2k 14 5: Sketch map, locality of test pits 22-27 20.0 24220-2222 bs cok 15 6) Sketch'map locality of ‘test; pits: 28-sl ae sss be bee shee Sele 16 7. Sketch map, locality of test pits 32-83__2__._.........-.-_-----___- 17 8. Sketch map, locality, of test pits: 84-39241. 245 ue tecob-2 beads Y_ek 18 OF Elevation and. pian, of features,in A—2-......-- ee et 24 10. a, Plan of tomb, Mound A-2. 0b, Celt cache, trench P—-1___________ 25 11. West wall, trench P-2 through entryway of Ceremonial Court, A-1__ 29 12. Plan of trench P-2 through entryway of Ceremonial Court, A-1____- 30 13. Trench P—4 west wall (near northwest corner) of A-]______________- 32 14. Sketch map showing principal known archeological features in Com- plex Ay a. Vientasicdm pre! jini go th Se sy anes wou Ad Pysel bones 35 15. Section through clay platforms in Ceremonial Court, A-1__________- 41 16. a, Plan of West Trench. 0b, Section through west wall of CWeremoniali@ount sAqtiyla lel pe fer piel Uy sepeeteel eeptoy, 46 17. Profile sketch of north exterior wall of East Platform as seen from mside;the Ceremonial (Counts pA Site yan ely ee ee Pe Shei 2 52 18. North-south section through East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A—1_ 53 19. East-west section through East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1__- 54 20. Plan of Pavement No. 1, beneath East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1, showing relationship to column enclosure and other struc- tural features._ ===. ga SE aoe ee i on perniy Des est hye 57 21. Section through portion of Mound A-3.__-2 2 2b 2. 222-22 2225- 66 22. Plan of Sandstone Cist (Tomb C), with contents, in Mound A-3_____ 69 23. Plan of child’s grave(?), Tomb D, Mound A-3_-____--------_------- 72 24, PlanvotiPavementiNou2. ssiesiar ot. . otter unasie hoe. sedeoi- 74 VIII BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 PAGE 25. Course Buff ware sherds with incised decoration__-_--------------- 85 26. Coarse Buff ware with prefiring incised decoration______.----------- 86 27. Coarse Buff ware sherds with prefiring incised designs__------------ 87 28. Coarse. bur ware decorated’sherds-—-- = ee eae eee 88 29. Coarse Buff ware effigy bowl from Complex A___----_------------- 89 30. Suggested reconstruction of Coarse Buff ware effigy bowl, from fragIMente S252 es sae eee eee eee ee ee ee ee ee 90 31. Coarse Black ware and Coarse White ware decorated sherds_-----_--_~ 91 Soe Coarse Browmlwane GeCOracved ISierc semen =e ee ee 95 33. Stamped(?) arc pattern from (interior) floor of Fine Paste Black ware flaring-side:dishie* 422 occe ences ste cee ee ne See ee 103 345) Rine Paste Black ware decorated sherdst@=22 = 6222) ——- === eee ee 105 35. Profile and end of fragment of Fine Paste Orange ware small rectangu- lar dishh swat hyd eeply incised cg Gs pms aren nee a ener eee ee 106 36. Fine Paste Orange ware sherds with incised decoration___--__---___- 106 SiS herds wathepainteds@ecoratlone jase = a See ee ee 107 38. Common dish and bowl shapes based on restorable and near-restora- bleYspecimens~22 2 eee. nate Meee a ee ae ee eee en 108 39. Various common forms of jar rims and necks________-__-__--__-_-_- 116 AQ; Miscellaneous vessel shapes- 52-2. 228 oe oe ee Si 120 41. Complete vessels from 1943 excavations, drawn from photographs... 123 AZ VATIOUS Handles And =VeEsseleLoo ti (iy) mse ee ee 124 43. a. Design and cross section of cylindrical ‘seal’ fragment, Stratitrench 3:2; b, pottery flare(?) fragment, Stratitrench 3:1_____________ 142 44. Green jade “‘plaquette,”’ from Stratitrench 3, Level 3______________- 147 45. Suggested reconstruction of serpentine figurine fragment (Figurine No. 7): from: ‘Stratitrench 3; bevel 42244 223 is Sangeet eae ae 148 46. a, Jade pendants; 6, face and profile, showing better preserved of the designs, of pair of earplugs from Stone Cist_..._______-________ 160 47. Designs on decorated celts, cruciform cache of celts, Mound A-2_____- 165 48. Incised obsidian core, and Bird-monster design from it_..._____-__- 170 49. Stela 2, showing detail of principal figure, and nomenclature of minor HQUNES 2) ee oa Skee ee IE Fee ee ee ae ee Beets. aerate 174 50. Stela 3, showing features of principal figures, and nomenclature of minor Heures se 2 See ese J ae ae ee hites eer ht Se Ae Ele ee 175 pl: “Altar 3, showing nomenclature: = “sre ree 1 err tele Sees peer ee 176 52. Altar 5, showing nomenclature of figures._...._._._._-_.__._.___-=_. Lid 53. Incised ornaments from Monument 12, partly restored____.________- 180 54. Suggested reconstruction of Monument 15 fragments______________- 183 55. Figurines of jade and other stone, showing components of features____ 186 56. Monumental sculptures, human faces in front view (not to scale) _____ 188 57. Various human profiles (not to scale), showing typical portrayal of heavy jaws, thick everted lips, large noses, and some miscellaneous features; csuch«as beards, ornaments sa. — suse eens ae eee 190 58. Components of Jaguar-monster ‘‘masks” (not to scale)__-___________ 193 59. Heads of Bird-monsters and birds (not to scale)___________________- 195 60. Common decorative elements, from monuments and from small sculptures: (motto iscale)s “aie of _chienbiieles ealeaiee Same 198 61; Outhne-of figure/on, Monument 13, 2222-4... eee ee 203 62. Jaguar-monster, Stela C, Tres Zapotes_....____--2222 2 22222 222 206 63. Component parts of Tres Zapotes Stela C Jaguar-monster mask-panel__ 207 64, Fragment of small effigy bowl, Figurine type III-A-3, in low relief and incising, and reconstruction of missing portion, from Lower horizon at Tres Zapotes. Over-all height of fragment, 5.6cem._._. 212 FOREWORD This report on two brief seasons of excavations at La Venta seems to have been doomed from the outset to the hopper of the sort of mill that, whether or not it grinds fine, certainly grinds exceeding slow. This was unfortunate, for when the field work was being done, there was considerable interest in the Olmec problem, and a more timely appearance of the report would have been desirable. However, the attack on Pearl Harbor, which interrupted many crucial things, reduced the first season’s program drastically, and then separated me from field notes and sherd and jade collections for some 3 years. After the war, in between other tasks, I was able to work on the re- port. Finally it was nearly done, and I found myself about to go back on active duty. Just 3 years ago, I hastily checked through the rough manuscript, with a thick sheaf of notes and sketches about the illustrations and figures, and dumped the whole hodgepodge into the hands of the Bureau of American Ethnology’s editor, Miss M. Helen Palmer. While I luxuriated on Micronesia’s coral strands and blue lagoons, Miss Palmer pulled the report together. I am offering her my thanks here. The readers of this report should thank her, too, for giving it such readability as it may have, and for editing out my grammatical lapses. The reader and I owe her thanks also for seeing the art work through, a particularly rugged chore when the author is as out of reach as I was. Drs. Shepard and Wedel have made signal contributions to the present report, and I am indebted to them. It will be the reader’s responsibility, however, to integrate the results of their sections with those I wrote, for I have seen their final versions only in the galley proofs, which made it too late for me to make any major revisions. The report will be improved if the conclusions of Miss Shepard’s “Appendix” and Wedel’s chapter are tied in with the rest, but the reader will have to undertake that task, blaming me and not my col- leagues for the added burden. It is also a matter of some embarrassment that I have not been able to take into account the various major contributions to our knowledge of Mesoamerican prehistory that have appeared in the 3 years since I submitted the manuscript. The results of such studies as Smith’s Uaxactun report, Miss Proskouriakoff’s analysis of Mayan sculpture, and Garcia Payon’s researches in the archeology of central Veracruz, IX x BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 to mention a few of the outstanding reports appearing since 1948, all bear in one way or another on the Olmec problem, and at some points appear to substantiate parts of my arguments and at others seem to be in sharp conflict with them. Ideally, these recent publications should be considered in the present study, whether doing so involved extensive changes or not. As a practical matter, such additions or changes cannot be made at this point. The present report therefore requires an added indulgence on the part of the reader: it must be read as of October 1948, and in the light of the comparative data on Mesoamerican prehistory then current. Puitie DRUCKER, Lieutenant Commander, USNR. OctosBer 1951. LA VENTA, TABASCO A STUDY OF OLMEC CERAMICS AND ART By Puimipe Drucker INTRODUCTION | The present paper has a twofold aim. The first is to describe the excavations of the Smithsonian Institution-National Geographic archeological expeditions at La Venta, in western Tabasco, México, in 1942 and 1943, and to analyze the ceramic materials collected; the second is to describe and analyze a series of art objects from the same site with the object of defining the art style they represent. The work in 1942 was carried out by the writer. Most of the excavations that season consisted of test-pits to locate refuse beds containing pottery, and stratigraphic trenches to collect adequate samples of the local wares for placing the site chronologically in relation to other Meso- american cultures. Some exploration of structures was done at the end of the season, and at that time an important series of carvings of jade and other materials was found. In 1943 Drs. Stirling and Wedel carried out excavations, chiefly of structural features of the site, and added considerably to the series of art objects as well as assembling important data on the constructions. Wedel is de- scribing that phase of the work in a separate chapter. He and Stirling have both made notes and other materials available to me for the study of the pottery and of the art objects; Stirling has added other materials from his survey of sites throughout the state of Tabasco and southern Veracruz. However, for errors of treatment and of interpretation of this material only the present writer is to be blamed. The National Geographic Society in addition to sponsoring the field work has very liberally supplied me with prints from their official expedition photographic files, made by the expedition photog- rapher, Mr. Richard Stewart. The investigations at La Venta were a part of Stirling’s program of attack on the problem of Mesoamerican culture growth outside the area known to have been inhabited by Mayan peoples. During Stirling’s reconnaissance of La Venta in 1940 he discovered a con- } 2 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 siderable number of stone monuments there, and judged it to have been a ceremonial center of major importance (Stirling, 1943). He chose the site for excavation for the 1942 season, planning a large-scale investigation. The program had to be curtailed because of the out- break of the war, but was carried out by the writer for a 3-month season, with a small crew. Just before the opening of the Round Table Conference at Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, on the Olmec problem, Stirling was able to visit the site briefly, very fortunately, just as certain interesting structural features in Complex A were being un- covered : a peculiar tomb made of basalt columns, and a great carved cofferlike affair of sandstone. He took charge of the excavation of the contents of these features, which proved to contain some interesting jade objects, and which he described at the Tuxtla Conference and in a popular article as well.1_ In 1943, the results of the brief investiga- tions of Complex A was followed up by a full season’s work with a good-sized crew, directed, as has been remarked, by Stirling and Wedel. The fact of the matter is that even at the end of the 1943 season the site of La Venta was a long way from being completely excavated. The structures are large and complex, and several seasons of inten- sive excavation should still be carried on—we hope that it may be possible to return to the site some time in the future. For that reason the sections of this report describing the results of work in the struc- tures are to be regarded as preliminary. We have at best only a frag- mentary notion of the nature of the Ceremonial Court, and its untested portions undoubtedly contain numerous features—and if those that have been found are a fair sample they will probably include some strange and completely unsuspected types. We are better off, how- ever, in regard to the ceramics and the sculptures, for both series are large enough so that we may derive decisive conclusions from them. The Round Table Conference on the Olmec question arrived at cer- tain conclusions which can be checked with the present material, and also formulated a series of problems which must be dealt with in this report. The temporal placing of the culture can be treated through a study of the pottery, an approach that has not been possible pre- viously. Study of the sculptures, large and small, shows that the site of La Venta was a center of typical and pure Olmec art in its highest form. From the series of sculptures, it should be possible to define the distinctive features of the art style with considerable precision. In this account, as in a previous brief discussion of some aspects of the ceramics (Drucker, 1947), I have seized the bull by the horns, or perhaps I should say the wildcat by the tail, and have used the term 1 Soe. Mexicana de Antropologia, Mayas y Olmecas. Segunda Reunién do Mesa Redonda, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, 1942. (Cited hereafter as “Mayas y Olmecas’’) ; Stirling and Stirling, 1942. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 3 “Olmec” to refer to the culture of which La Venta is one manifesta- tion. This usage, contrary to that worked out at the Round Table Conference, is based on the following grounds. First of all, the terms “La Venta,” recommended by the Conference as a name for the cul- ture, is awkward, because the site of La Venta proved to represent a single horizon or period of a cultural sequence determined at the neighboring site of Tres Zapotes. It seems preferable to limit the use of the term La Venta to that particular period. Second, as Covarrubias and others have pointed out, the term “Olmec” has been applied to objects made in the distinctive art style for long enough to have some familiarity, and its extension to other aspects of culture associated with that art style is convenient. Third, as Jimenez Moreno’s painstaking ethnohistoric studies have brought out, the term Olmec actually has no stable ethnic significance, but seems to have been applied to various groups at different times. For these reasons I have used the name for the archeological cul- ture as a whole. It carries here none of the ethnic implications of Jimenez Moreno’s Paleo-Olmec, Proto-Olmec, and the rest. We have no shred of evidence as to the linguistic affiliation of the people who constructed the mounds, made the pottery, and carved the monuments and jades in the southern Veracruz-western Tabasco region. At the present time the native Indian population includes a variety of dialects, some said to be related to Mixe, others to Zoque, as well as a number of communities in which a variety of Nahua is spoken. Presumably the last-mentioned people had nothing to do with the Olmec arche- ological remains, but whether or not the ancestors of one or the other of the Mixe- and Zoque-speaking populations had is a complete mystery. We desperately need investigations working back from identifiable historic sites if we are ever to identify the bearers of Olmec culture, and even then it may not be possible, except by a process of elimination, for the principal strain of Olmec culture seems to have faded out of existence about the tenth century of our era. PART I: EXCAVATIONS AND ARTIFACTS THE SITE OF LA VENTA Geographical setting.—The archeological site of La Venta is situ- ated on the low coastal plain of western Tabasco, ten or a dozen miles inland, between systems of streams and sloughs draining into the Rio Tonalé. The terrain in this region is predominantly swamp, next to impassable to foot travelers. Mangrove swamps line the riverbanks for many miles inland, indicating the reach of the low Gulf tides in the flat plain. Here and there are elevated areas, varying from a few square feet to a good number of acres in extent. It is such places that are occupied at the present day, and were selected for habitation in ancient times as well. The traveler in the region cannot but be impressed by the sudden change from the rolling red earth hills of Minatitlin which are a gradually descending extension of the foothills of the Tuxtla Moun- tains, and the high sand dunes around Puerto México (Coatzacoalcos), to the flat swamp plain, just barely above sea level, that extends for miles to the eastward, along the coast. This whole swamp zone must have been formerly open sea—a great bay that gradually silted in. Oil geologists working in the La Venta zone have told me that test- ing and drilling operations show a layer of almost a hundred feet of swamp muck extending downward from the present surface, with, here and there, beds of marine or brackish-water shells. Potsherds and fragments of figurines often come from considerable depths in this muck. We can be certain that these objects do not represent ancient horizons buried by modern swamp, but are undoubtedly things lost overboard from canoes at a time when there was more open water than at the present day. The best account of the regional geography available is that of Krynine (1935). His account is worth quoting in extenso: The region under discussion lies along the coast of the Gulf of Campeche .. . It comprises the western part of the state of Tabasco and small adjoining parts of the state of Veracruz and Chiapas, Mexico. The climate is tropical with an exceedingly heavy rainfall. The mean annual temperature is 80° F. (25°-26° C.). The rainfall differs in the four geomorphic provinces of the region. On the coast it fluctuates between 100 and 120 inches, and in the mountains it reaches 250 and even 300 inches per year. {In a set of tables, Krynine gives the following data from a station (Puerto México) in the Coast Plain geomorphic province: Mean yearly temperature: 4 Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 5 25° C.; annual rainfall: 2,914 mm.; dry season rainfall: 151 mm.; climatic type (K6oppen) : Amw’”’.] There is a marked dry season in April and May, when there is no rain what- ever. Occasional storms take place in March, June, July and August. The heavy rains are concentrated between September and February. Geologically the region belongs to Central rather than to North America. Deposition was active during Tertiary time and over 12,000 feet of sedimentary rocks were formed during that period. They are mostly sandstones and shales with subordinate limestones and locally thick and well-indurated conglomerates. Feldspathie and micaceous material is abundant throughout the series. Some of the Miocene horizons can definitely be classified as arkoses. The topography of the region reflects the two major structural movements which have taken place since the end of the Pliocene period. The main post- Pliocene orogenesis created the mountain front and the foothills and shaped the broad geomorphic features of the country. After erosion in the southern mountains and deposition in the northern plains had been in progress, a rotational tilting movement elevated the eastern part of the basin of deposition and subjected it to renewed erosion. At the same time the western part of the basin was depressed and here sedimentation kept on progressing. As a result we have in the northern and northwestern parts of the region, first, a swampy alluvial plain, and then, further inland, a flat savanna. Both are covered with a thick mantle of Pleistocene and recent alluvium. In fhe central and southeastern parts, this alluvial mantle is being subjected to erosion and forms a hilly topography of moderate relief. Further south, the country consists of rugged hills made of Tertiary rocks which gradually pass into the high mountains of the Sierra Central of Chiapas. In accordance with this, the area can be divided into the four geomorphic provinces described below. The Low Coastal Plain: The shoreline of western Tabasco is essentially a shoreline of emergence, partly modified by later submergence. Between Tonald and Santa Ana a line of sand dunes skirts the straight and monotonous sandy beach, and extending for a distance of two to four kilometers inland it rises to elevations up to 50 feet. As a result of coastal emergence the dune belt has been gradually widened and the older dunes, once left behind, have been immediately seized and fixated by a luxuriant vegetation. Reed marshes flank the jungle-covered sand-dune belt. The jungle again gains a foothold on the higher ground formed by the natural levees along the margins of inland streams and arroyos which drain these swamps. To the south the marshes give way to large areas of jungle-covered flats, the real mainland. The monotony of the northern part of the coastal plain is inter- rupted by a few isolated low hills which appear as remnants of an older topography buried by recent alluvium.” [Krynine, 1935, pp. 354 ff.] These buried hills, of which La Venta is one, belong of course to geologic formations antedating the submergence and swamp forma- tion in western Tabasco. The La Venta structure, and apparently the larger “island” at the oil camp of Agua Dulce, not far away, and probably all the “hills” of the vicinity, consist of bases of well- indurated yellowish-brown sandstones capped by a bed of heavy clay developed from the sedimentary formation. The soil formation is very uniform: The upper horizon, except for a few inches at the surface stained by dark brown humus materials, is an intense brick— 6 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 red color; its lower margin is mottled, passing into the lower (ap- purently the eluvial) horizon of a clay similar in texture but of a light creamy-yellow color which lies directly on the parent rock. In the absence of a chemical analysis, it is impossible to describe the soil structure properly, but it appears to be a clay formation develop- ing toward laterite. The most significant fact for the present, how- ever, is that both soil and parent rock so closely duplicate the characteristic formation of the Tuxtla region as to make it almost certain that La Venta and other islands in the swamp are outliers of the (prevolcanic) eroded Miocene peneplain of the Tuxtlas. A striking fact is that this structure has not been encountered, or so T was informed, in the drilling operations a scant half mile from the edge of firm ground at La Venta. The island must therefore have been eroded out into a high and very steep-sided block, prior to the submergence, to which Krynine refers, of the western end of the basin. The soil formation is complicated by the occurrence of sandy deposits of two types: One, the arkose beds described by Krynine, which apparently filled in old drainage channels prior to the recent emergence of the region; ? the other, windblown sand and light soil which in some places assumes a dunelike structure. The cultural remains at La Venta are for the most part associated with this last-named formation, lying in and sometimes being covered by the windblown sandy soil. The island of La Venta is between 6 and 7 kilometers long, running more or less north and south (fig. 1). Width varies considerably for a series of long narrow peninsulas run out into the swamps on either side, but the main body of the island is about a kilometer and a half across, with a maximum width of probably 4 kilometers. The maxi- mum height of the present-day soil surface is somewhere between 10 and 12 meters, save for the sizable hill, “Cerro de San Cristobal,” on the west central edge. The northern and western borders are higher and more abrupt; on the other sides the firm ground merges almost imperceptibly into the swamp. The three outcrops of country rock noted are all on or near the west edge of the island, suggesting a mod- erately strong dip of the basic formation. From some distance off, the island appears as a dark green elevation easily distinguishable above the yellowish and pale greens of the swamp vegetation. The present surface is quite irregular, cut by numerous ephemeral stream courses, and frequently with grown-over dune formations augmenting the height of the clay knolls and ridges. ? Krynine, 1935. La Venta, frequently explored by oil-seekers in the last two or three decades, is probably the locality discussed by this author, although his regional map, perhaps due to its small scale, seems to show the arkose beds about halfway between La Venta and the Coast. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 7 \ 4 : RANCHER/A \\ ° . “ cerno ( sam carsroeat | = oO / —EeE—e—e—eE—E—e—eeEeeee SCALE (IN KM. ©) AREAS TESTED (5-1, 5-2, etc. = SHERD AREA } ry 42, efc. ty \) EXTENT OF STRUCTURAL FEATURES BELIEVED TO GELONG TO CENTRAL GROUP ON BASIS OF ALIGNMENT OF FEATURES MOUND AREAS INVESTIGATEO, WITH NO SHERO DEPOSITS Ss COMPLEX 'A' GREAT MOUND. Ficure 1.—Sketch to show approximate relationships of structures, sherd areas (S-1 to S-8), and monuments at La Venta. This and the following sketch maps (figs. 1-8) are to approximate scale only. Note: Variation of the magnetic campass in 1942-43 was 9° 10’ E[U. S. N. Hydrogr. Off. Chart No. 1706]. 947310—52 2 8 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 Flora and fauna of La Venta are pretty much the same as those of Tres Zapotes in the Tuxtla region, for climatic conditions, soils, and soil climates are very similar. It may be that annual precipita- tion figures would show a slightly greater rainfall at La Venta, lying as it does not only nearer but directly south of the Gulf, and being surrounded by swamps. To a nonbotanist, however, the plant cover, both second growth and old forest, looks about the same in both places, and not only the domestic crops but the planting and harvesting sea- sons are the same. (I refer of course to the floral conditions of the island, not of the swamp.) ‘Two crops of corn a year, a minor “quick crop” planted just before, and the main one just after the February- to-May dry season, are the rule. While coffee is the chief cash crop of present-day inhabitants, cane was grown with some success in the recent past. An occasional rubber tree planted for local use is to be seen here and there. Small plantings of pineapple, sweet potatoes, jicama, etc., are made for home consumption. The faunal assemblage appears nothing remarkable for the general area. Of larger forms, deer, peccary, kinkajou, howler monkeys, jaguar, and ocelot are found. None of these are at all abundant, however. Local people assured us that these animals (with the exception of the monkeys), could pick their way through the swamps even in the wet season and thus tended to visit the island from the more extensive high ground of Blasillo where they are all more abundant, rather than dwelling there permanently. Among smaller forms, rabbits, squirrels, kinkajous, opossums, and mice are most common. The bird life appears to be quite rich, and to follow the general pattern of the Tuxtla region. Archeologic remains—The archeologic remains at La Venta con- sist of a few earth mounds and other structures, a number of large stone monuments, and refuse deposits. There are no elaborate com- plexes consisting of numerous mounds, as for example at Tres Zapotes, but the principal group of structures and monuments shows evidence of purposeful arrangement. This part of the zone, which we may term the Central Group, is built around the largest mound of the site and the Ceremonial Court which lies just to the north. The top of the Great Mound has been measured as 32.3 m. above the ad- jacent ground level; it forms the dominant landmark of the site. Its horizontal dimensions are hard to establish because of the heavy for- est cover. The mound proper rests on a rectangular platform 4 or 5 m. high (included in the over-all mound height) which measures about 120 m. north-south, and which appears to be a trifle narrower, east— west. On the south side of the mound, extending out over the plat- form, are two aprons, on one of which are two much-battered basalt altars (Altars 2, 3).3 §’ Nomenclature of stone monuments is according to Stirling, 1943 a. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 9 About 100 m. north of the Great Mound is the Ceremonial Court which appeared before investigation as a slightly elevated rectangle enclosed by vertical basalt columns whose ends just showed above the surface. The court and its surrounding features north of the Great Mound have been designated “ Complex A.” The court itself is A-1. On the north side of the court is a broad gently sloping mound (A-2) about 4 m. high, and just off the south edge two small mounds 1.5 to 2m. above the general ground level. Apues e41um pue jing agueso jo sudke; Vv Kej> @LIUM pue YUId pajjow Kej> as pues Moak ust; > —- Talal bhi idaseded se <0 EMMA UI EM awerrs re Lh a) that 17 = fer “ 4j9Q pue aBueio Pal{zow 4ej> pas - apuer? [!0s Apues umosq ‘paw . Ay . oe eeeee =< 5 eoartestees, ° . e ° * eeeereees., ° 30 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 south side were shorter—more comfortable—than those descending on the north. There appears to have been a sort of landing a little more than halfway up on the south side. KE, the final structure, was somewhat domed instead of being flat on top like the rest. Although this form may be due to erosion, its maximum height above the orig- inal (?) ground level was 2.89 m. Only one of its steps was sectioned by the trench—a high awkward-looking one on the north side. This final enlargement is capped by a layer of hght sandy soil, presumably wind-blown deposit, which has accumulated in a thin layer on top and thicker over the descending sides of the entry since abandonment of the site. There can be little doubt that these structures formed the entryway to the ceremonial enclosure. N F°w Ficure 12.—Plan of trench P-2 through entryway of Ceremonial Court, A-l. The profile of the east wall of the trench differed from the pre- ceding due to a large pit that had been dug down through the early structures, presumably from enlargement E. The outline of the pit was the most clearly observed at the 119 cm. level, where it passed through the charcoal-covered floor of structure C. It was for the purpose of defining the limits of this pit and excavating it that the extension was dug in the east wall (fig. 12). The pit narrowed down funnel-fashion to an off-center elliptical bottom 1.67 m. long by 0.81 m. across, a few centimeters below the dark humus-stained subsoil line. The pitfall all the way down was marked by the mixture of the various colored clays of which the structures were composed, chunks of the still-adhering floor layers of B being quite noticeable. The pit contained no burial or cache or anything else to indicate a reason for its existence. The several structures continued on beyond it in the east wall of the extension. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 31 The excavations, P-3, in the western of the two bastionlike rec- tangles consisted of a set of trenches to clear and investigate the smali stone enclosure near the southwest corner of the Ceremonial Court. It was found to consist of a rectangle formed by 1.8 to 2.1 m. lengths of columnar basalt set vertically in a dike of orange-red clay covered on the outside of the structure by about 91 cm. of drift soil. Along the outside of the columns at the point at which they were embedded in the clay lay horizontal sections of columns, 1.2 to 2.1 m. long, apparently serving as buttresses or supports. In one place two such braces were placed one on top of the other. There were 12 columns across the north side, 12 down the west side. Only 10 were found on the south. The east row was not completely uncovered, but there seemed to be some columns missing. The structure (not counting the horizontal braces or the edges of the clay wall, which were not uncovered) measured 7.16 m. east-west by 6.60 m. north-south, and was very close to rectangular. The smoother broader faces of the stones seemed to be outward, in most cases. The row across the south side was about 60 cm. lower than that across the north. At a point 1.52 m. south of the northeast corner was an east-west row of 13 short lengths of columns, mostly fallen over. These were mostly rather short lengths, and did not have horizontal supports along their bases. The row ended 5.47 m. east of the “bastion,” nearly in front of the stile or entryway sectioned by the trench previously described. As part of the same system, a small (1 m. by 2 m.) cut was put down in the middle of the enclosure. This surprisingly enough re- vealed the stone fence to enclose a small platform of adobes, or unbaked bricks.? Beneath 33 cm. of loose drift soil on the surface, there was a 40.6 cm. cap of orange-red clay. Beneath this was a 223.5 cm. layer consisting of 16 courses of adobes of olive-brown clay laid in orange- red clay “mortar,” (pl. 38). The bricks were not fired. They varied in length from 22.8 to 45.6 cm., in width from 17.7 to 25.4 em., and in thickness from 7.6 to 12.7cm. Theclay mortar between courses varied from 2.5 to 7.6 cm. thick. The trench walls showed clear breaking of joints in the courses, but this is more likely a result of the irregularity of size of the bricks rather than a deliberate attempt to increase the strength of the platform. Under the bricks, on both north and east sides of the trench, were found two small caches of serpentine celts. The cache on the north side consisted of two specimens, that on the east of four. In both cases the objects were enveloped in masses of very hard dark olive-brown clay which contained impressions of straw or grasses. The original ground level was not found, although the 7 Considerably more data were obtained from the excavation of the eastern “bastion” in 1943, concerning the structure of these features. 32 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 trench was continued down another 1.4 m. through a fill of clay, some sand, bits of charcoal, and tiny pellets of sherds. This platform must have been built to support some structure, or even more likely, a stone monument. It is not improbable that “Stela 1” (which should be classed as a monument, not a stela), or one of the monuments now in Villahermosa formerly stood here. ‘The small Monument 5 still standing in the main enclosure must be on a similar raised platform, or it would be today deeply buried under the layer of drift soil which has filled the areas between structures of the patio. 4-E Wiese Ficure 13.—Trench P—4 west wall (near northwest corner) of A-1. A small trench, P-4, dug in the northwest corner of A-1, provided some data, augmented by the 1943 work, as to the construction of the “fence” of basalt columns (fig. 13.) The vertical sections were found to be pieces of 1.8 to 2.1 m. long, with their lower ends embedded 15 to 26 cm. deep in a wall or dike of compact orange-red clay whose upper surface lay 106 cm. below the modern driftsoil level. Fifty-five and eight tenths cm. east (inside) of the columns, the clay wall dipped at a steep angle, continuing down below the bottom of the trench. We may presume that the wall had a similar profile on the outer side, and more than likely a row of horizontal lengths of columns to brace the vertical ones more firmly, as in the case of the western rectangle (“bastion”). Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 33 On the inside at the edge of the clay wall was a horizontal row of very neatly squared basalt blocks laid end to end, and inclined slightly to rest firmly against the slanting face of the wall. These blocks averaged 50.8 cm. long, 22.8 cm. wide, and 11.4 cm. in thickness. There were seven of them in the trench. Ata point 1.9 m. below present ground level were three serpentine blocks, somewhat larger in size and placed similarly with regard to the wall except that their ends did not touch. Just below them was the clearly marked line of a horizontal layer of orange-red clayey soil, probably fill forming an enlargement, or a sort of step or platform along the inside of the wall. All these features with the exception of the rows of basalt and serpentine blocks were found repeated in a short extension of the trench which followed around the corner along the east-west section of the fence. STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATIONS IN 19438 By Wa po R. WrepEL The excavations at La Venta in 1948 were carried on principally in that sectioa of the site lying just north of the Great Mound, in what has been designated Complex A (see sketch map, fig. 14). As Drucker has pointed out, most of the archeological features here appeared to be definitely oriented along a line bisecting the summit of the Great Mound and running northward through the Ceremonial Court and across Mound A-2. Since a general description of the site, including the portion under consideration here, has already been presented, fur- ther remarks need be added at this point only in amplification of certain surface features very briefly noted by Drucker. These were clearly seen only after the rank jungle growth between the base of the Great Mound and the Ceremonial Court was entirely removed in preparation for our investigations. Lying on the north-south axis of the site and centering at a point some 32 m. south of the Ceremonial Court was a low inconspicuous mound from 1.5 to 2.5 m. high—depending on the angle from which it was viewed—by some 30 m. in diameter. This feature was desig- nated Mound A-3; further details concerning it and its contents are presented elsewhere in the present section. Mound A--3 was flanked on the east and west by two low linear em- bankments. These averaged approximately 15 to 18 m. in width, and were perhaps 1 m. high at their north ends; to the south, they merged into the basal platform of the Great Mound. On the north, they approached within 10 or 12 m. of the southeast and southwest corners of the Ceremonial Court, from which they were separated, as from Mound A-3, by shallow swales. The north-south midline of each of these structures, projected northward, coincided approximately with the rows of upright basalt columns marking the east and west sides of the Ceremonial Court. An unworked basalt boulder lay at the north end of the west embankment; otherwise, there was no surface evidence of monuments or other stonework that might once have been in any way associated with either. The results of a test trench dug by us through the north end of the east embankment, A—4, are set forth elsewhere in this section. 34 Drucker | LA VENTA, TABASCO a aatiayy, Ui ws My SS My, WS » A a “ny S UG = % S % = TOMB E 2 = cCorreR (TOMB B)= = CELT CACHE. = NORTH MOUND SY w x grteeter eens \S : CELT ROW: R\\ ? “Ny ww : MTUsy of : ALTAR (MONUMENT 13) z i CEREMONIAL couRT {(A-/) WEST S ae i £L MONO. : x : STELA 3 i CLAY i PLATFORMS : (1942-43) i i bf 3 i gneecscccees con 's Pegs} : WEST : i 5 yeaTFon, FORE) COWRT eA Oe: : (942) } , WO.2 : i ol Hit ‘ny, S B SUWNWORKED OC % S G0UllFR Z% = z My, = “ny E %G % TOMB CZ (CISL fARTH EMBANKMENT TLL CL M4 ty Ficure 14.—Sketch map UTTERLY TAT ETT CL ym | x MONUMENT S uty, G % ZB Z % Z, Z Zz = EFARTH = EMBANKMENT = A-4 = N = SERPENTINE = AXES" (253) 7] = = AND *1/RROR 2 = = Bit yess = ° s 10 = > PIETERS ° 7” 70 «3O POTTERY as APPROXIMATE OEPOSIT he showing principal known archeological features in La Venta. 30 Complex A, 36 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 Our excavations in 1943 consisted of a series of connected trenches directed basically at further study of features on and near the north— south axis line bisecting Complex A. From the base of the Great Mound, this main trench system ran northward about 150 m. to end in Drucker’s 1942 cuts in Mound A-2. Our cut varied greatly in width and depth, depending on what it disclosed here and there in the way of subsurface features that seemed to call for further investiga- tion. From south to north, it bisected Mound A-8, the Ceremonial Court, and the south half of Mound A-2. In addition, we made smaller cuts at each end of the Court, in search of further informa- tion on the construction of the columned enclosure; briefly investi- gated certain structural features at the southeast corner of the Court; cleared the small columned platform near the southeast corner of the Court; and test trenched the north end of the east embankment, A-4. Such was the size and complexity of the area and its various subsur- face features that, despite the employment of a labor force substan- tially larger than was at Drucker’s disposal in 1942° we left unanswered far more problems than we finally settled. EXCAVATIONS IN AREA A-1 (CEREMONIAL COURT) The Ceremonial Court designated as A-1 was a rectangular area partially outlined by a stockade of more or less upright basalt columns.° The area thus defined was, by my measurements, approximately 58 by 40 m., with the longer dimension lying at right angles to the north- south line that bisects virtually all of the principal features of Com- plex A. Some of the columns had slipped out of position or were leaning badly, so that precise measurements were not possible, which perhaps accounts for the slight discrepancy between my figures and those given by Drucker (supra, p.22). Along the west side, beginning at the southwest corner, 53 columns were visible above ground; then came a gap of about 8 m. where no columns were evident, followed by another series of 12 and a corner column. From this, the northwest corner, 12 columns could be counted in a continuous row extending eastward. From the northeast corner, going west, another series of ®’ Our working force consisted of 18 to 20 men; the digging began on February 6 and ended on April 28, 1943. ®° These columns, whose use for various purposes constitutes one of La Venta’s outstand- ing archeological characteristics, merit further brief comment. They are of columnar basalt, roughly pentagonal or hexagonal in cross section, with the ends usually more or less rounded off; commonly, one surface is slightly wider, flatter, and smoother than the others. Their size varies; average diameter probably approximates 30 to 45 cm. while the length of unbroken columns ranges from 2 to 3.5 m. Their calculated weight varies between 1,500 and 2,300 pounds each. Stirling (1943 a, p. 50) notes that the nearest known occurrence of volcanic rock is in the region of San Martin Pajapan volcano, about 60 miles in an airline to the north, and suggests that the columns and other massive carved stone blocks at La Venta, some exceeding 25 tons in weight, were probably transported by raft to the island. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO a 12 or 13 columns was visible. None could be seen throughout most of the extent of the north wall line of the Court, that is, between the two short series running east from the northwest corner and west from the northeast corner. Proceeding southward from the northeast corner along the east wall of the Court, there were 34 visible columns plus gaps that would accommodate perhaps three to six more. Here the row ended ; limited tests along the line which should have been marked by columns yelded only negative results. No stones could be found at or near the point where the southeast corner of the Court should have been, or westward from that point along what was evidently the south side of the Court area. Approximately 10 m. west from the calculated southeast corner of the Ceremonial Court, a columned platform projected southward from the wall line of the Court. Rectangular in plan, this structure meas- ured approximately 8 m. east-west by 6.5 m., corresponding in size, shape, and position to another similar platform excavated in 1942 by Drucker near the southwest corner of the Court (supra, p. 31, excava- tion P-3). The results of our investigations in the East Platform, which turned out to be unexpectedly complicated, will be detailed elsewhere. About midway between the two platforms just noted, and slightly to the north just within the south wall line of the Ceremonial Court, was another low elevation. It lay directly on the line from the crest of the north mound, A-2, to the top of the Great Mound. Most of this feature, scene of Drucker’s Trench P-2, had been removed before the 1943 work began, but our main profile trench through the Court cut its west side. Profile Trench, Area A-1.—Of our north-south profile trench along the major axis of Complex A, some 40 meters lay within the area designated as the Ceremonial Court. The approximate center of this particular area had been computed from the crossed diagonals con- necting the four corners of the Ceremonial Court, and this point we may designate as Datum A. From a point 4 m. south of Datum A northward 24 m. to where our trench crossed a line connecting the northeast and northwest corners of the Court, the trench had a width of 8 m. Southward from this section, it narrowed to 1.5 m. for a dis- tance of about 12 m. where it again widened to 6 m. for the remainder of its length within the Court area. The floor of the trench was at a more or less uniform level throughout ; but owing to the irregularities of the ground surface, depth of the trench varied from about 2.7 m. in the central portion of the Court to 3.3 m. or slightly more at either end. Throughout approximately 16 m. of its length within the Court, beginning 8 m. south of Datum A (pl. 4, a), the upper portions of 38 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 the trench walls consisted of 1.2 to 1.5 m. of soft gray sand, very easy to handle with shovel or trowel. This sand graded downward into tougher, somewhat irregular, clay deposit. Below this, at a depth of about 1.6 m. beneath ground surface, was an even, almost level, band of finely layered red, yellow, green, and purple sandy clays—approximately dubbed “tierra bonita” by our workmen. This band averaged 10 to 12 em. in thickness and showed a good many breaks; but, as will become apparent in the next pages, it seems to have covered much or most of the area within the Court. Beneath it, was a massive clay formation, dark red in its upper portions, but soon becoming a mottled yellow, and throughout of exceedingly tough com- position. Only at the north edge of the Court area, where our trench reached a depth of just over 3.8 m., and again at the south edge, at approximately 3 m., did we succeed in penetrating through this clay bed to find what appeared to be clean sand underneath. There is no doubt whatever that the clay formation had been carried in and deposited over most or all of the Court area, and was throughout a man-made feature of the site. A number of artifacts came to light during excavation of this section of trench. The first were a series of small covered pottery vessels, all in the lower portion of the soft upper sands, and north of Datum A. Several of these were uncovered and removed by the workmen during our absence from the dig, and there are for them no precise provenience data. Subsequently, three or four others were found, under circumstances said by our native foreman and other workmen to parallel those of the earlier finds. Of the occurrences we observed, the first consisted of two medium- sized cylindrical flat-bottomed plainware vessels standing side by side; over each was inverted a shallow flat-bottomed saucerlike bowl with flared walls (pl. 5, a). South of this pair, 2.7 m. distant and at the same level, 1.1 m. below ground surface, was another cylindrical ves- sel, this one encircled by an incised line just above its base. A few small sherds scattered about nearby may have been from a covering bowl. Three meters north and about one meter west of the pair first noted above, according to the foreman, were sherds from a fourth cylindrical vessel and, apparently, a covering bowl. AI of these finds were well above the local base of the upper gray sands. South of this pottery area, directly under Datum A and perhaps marking the center of the Court, lay two plain limestone slabs. Lying 1.4 m. below ground surface, they covered an area 45 by 65 cm. across. Two larger slabs, covering an area 72 by 110 cm., were found 2.4 m. to the south; they were at the same depth below surface but, owing to a rising ground surface, lay about 20 cm. above the first two. Three and a half meters south of the slabs below Datum A, and 1.4 m. to the Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 39 west, lay a well-made monkey statue of serpentine, elsewhere described by Drucker as Monument 12 (see infra, p. 179 and pls. 5,c, and 62). It, too, was in the upper sand; but whether it had been associated origi- nally with one of the two small slab areas nearby to the north, as just described, with a stepped clay platform complex just to the south, or with neither, we have at present no way of knowing. It is possible that the carved altar subsequently designated by Drucker as Monument 13, which was found in the upper sand some 14 meters north of Datum A and about 6 meters inside the north wall line of the Ceremonial Court (pls. 4, a, and 63), also belonged to the archeological or ceremonial complex represented by the materials just described from the upper sand. It rested, actually, on the red clay core sloping southward from Mound A—2; and so I have chosen to discuss it in connection with that section of our workings. Other artifacts came to light during the slow process of removing the tough mottled clay which underlay the upper sand. About mid- way between Datum A and the north wall line of the Court, from the clay formation between 1.5 and 2.5 m. underground, came a dozen or so celts of serpentine. These were scattered about at various depths and lay at all angles, in no way suggesting an orderly cache deposit. For the most part, the specimens themselves were rather crudely shaped and of inferior workmanship. Also in this general area, 5 m. north of Datum A and at depth of 2.85 m. underground, was another cylindrical flat-bottomed clay vessel over which had been inverted another shallower vessel (pl. 4, 6). These were in a small pocket of soft gray sand entirely surrounded and covered by more than 1 m. of mottled clay. So far as we could determine, this find corresponded in all particulars to the several covered pots previously found more than 1 m. higher up, in the upper sand. Seventeen meters north of Datum A, and perhaps 3 m. south of the north wall line of the Court, a series of six serpentine celts came to light. They had been set upright, blades down, with edges touching so as to form an east-west row 50 em. long (pl. 5, 6). Standing in the mottled yellow clay at a depth of 2.5 m. underground, this row intersected transversely the north-south axis line of Complex A. Here, again, the objects were not especially well made or carefully shaped, and there was a good deal of variation in their size and pro- portions. Like the vast majority of celts found during the 19438 excavations, these would have functioned poorly as utilitarian tools. Clay platforms, A—1.—Six meters south of Datum A, the ground surface rose some 40 or 50 cm. Here, also, our central profile trench revealed a rather abrupt thinning of the upper gray sands to about 60 cm., and a corresponding rise in the surface of the clay underlying 947310—52 4 40 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 the sand. Our trench in this section was under 2 m. wide, and was separated by less than 50 cm. from the west edge of Drucker’s 1942 Trench P-2 in a series of clay platforms. These platforms were rather well shown in the west wall of our trench, which here reached a maximum depth of 3.1 m. Unfortunately, at this depth we were nearly 30 cm. below the clay composing the platforms and into a soft gray underlying sand. When this sand dried out under the narrow but heavy clay wall separating our trench from Drucker’s earlier one, it crumbled and brought down the entire east face of our profile trench through the platforms. Only at the south end of the section were we able to get the various soil formations from bottom to top of our cut. The lowest soil formation thus revealed was a soft black sand, ex- posed to a depth of 45 em. in our trench and continuing to an undeter- mined depth below our cut. Above this was a band of thin vari- colored, but predominantly pinkish, buff, and white sandy clay layers totalling 20 cm. in thickness. This disappeared beneath the caved-in dirt, and no trace of it could be found beyond to the north. Above this was a massive mottled reddish and white clay that attained a maximum thickness of 1.28 m. The top of this clay was marked by a thin but readily distinguishable band of gray sandy clay traceable horizontally for 6.1m. At the south end, this band fell away in a series of three nearly vertical steps which measured 55, 40, and 22 em. high in descending order. At the north end, a single step 60 cm. high was visible. The middle step (fig. 15, A’) at the south and the single step (fig. 15, A’’) on the north were strongly marked by innu- merable hair-line thicknesses of brightly colored red, purple, olive- green, and other pigments, each backed by slightly thicker whitish sandy clays. These striped formations attained a total thickness of 10 to 15 cm.; they were thickest, of course, on the horizontal surfaces or treads, but evidently had once continued vertically up the front of each riser as well. I would suppose that the whitish sandy clay backings may represent layers of plaster, now much softened by weathering, and the colored seams are the remnants of successive coats of paint with which the stepped platform was freshened up from time to time by its users. Above the flat top of this structure were some 30 cm. of yellow sand (at the south end) and heavy mottled clay (at the north). There was some evidence of horizontal bedding in the yellow sand, suggest- ing periodic heightening of the platform. None of these bedding lines, however, was very pronounced. Overlying the yellow sand and clay, 30 cm. above the platform, was a black carbonaceous stratum 5 em. thick, evidently the result of burn- ing. In its horizontal extent, this coincided almost exactly with the lower platform surface. Thirty centimeters beyond its south end, 4] LA VENTA, TABASCO Drucker] *(6z ‘d osje 99g) 9 *J—-VW ‘J4noD jeruoUIND Ul sunoyjed Avo ysnosyy uoNs9Gg—*¢] FANOIY YOOTA HINTYL yILIW I ONYS wIYTE PEELS Qa DANAE EPG ODP DEAE GIFAWDS ———— i" = WLINOE VYAT/L = } WLINOG VYYT/L \ ONVYS AZAVTID AYA ONYS MOTTZIA a OE ee ONYS MOTTIA _ ECON OS FAY TD Ed Gee See nee Ff TEE J) . LLL ES ADS PP sn ST TEE OP = YIAYT AZAYTD ‘OFY "LH91/7 2 247 §SOYFHS STVODUKHI HLIM ‘F7IGYIAKA SAVTD HSIGIIA 42 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 and beginning at a point some 50 em. below, was what appeared to be a continuation of this burned stratum; it began in the midst of a band of finely bedded colored earths which soon curved sharply upward, and ran out 60 em. away beneath a more or less horizontal band of similar colored materials. There was inconclusive evidence of a step- like arrangement at the north end. All of this, indicated by BB’B” in figure 15, rather suggests the remnants of another stepped clay plat- form overlying and perhaps completely covering that represented by AA’A’’. The burned layer just discussed at B’B’’ was covered with 15 cm. of gray sand capped by a well-defined 5-cm. band of light reddish clay (fig. 15, C’). This had about the same horizontal extent as the two preceding platform surfaces, being traceable for some 6.87 m. north to south. It ran northward 38 cm. beyond the lowest, A’A’’. Here, just 6 m. south of Datum A, there was a steep drop of 65 to 70 cm., marked by a thin yellow line which flattened out into a horizontal band of thin yellow, white, and purplish soil layers (fig. 15, C’’). This band, the uppermost and latest of the several marking successive platform fronts, connected with the “tierra bonita” previously de- scribed as extending northward across the Ceremonial Court at ca. 1.6 m. depth and underlying the upper sand. To the south, this topmost platform was more difficult to work out. I suspect that the band of finely bedded colored earths marked by C in figure 15, and running northward just above the burned layer B, cor- responds to the similar colored band at C’’. It is possible that some of the upturning colored soils at the north end of burned layer B repre- sented the south front of this final and latest platform, in which event the structure at this point would have coincided closely with the im- mediately preceding platform. There was otherwise nothing in our profile to suggest a step elsewhere in this section. Overlying the topmost clay-floored platform and its associated col- ored soils, as indicated by CC’C’’ in figure 15, was a rather variable reddish clay containing some bits of charcoal, occasional tiny sherds, and other cultural detritus. Over the platforms this clay averaged some 60 cm. in thickness; on the south above the steps and platform remnants B and C, the red clay reached a maximum depth of 1.2 m. Here, too, directly over the colored band C, there was some evidence that this clay mass fell away in two poorly marked steps to a flat sur- face some 95 cm. lower (fig. 15). What was evidently a continuation of this lower clay surface was found in our trench to the south, form- ing a sort of raised forecourt along at least the middle third of the south front of the Ceremonial Court. This feature will be further de- scribed elsewhere. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 43 On the north, the red clay sloped downward and merged into a mottled yellowish-white clay layer; there was no suggestion of steps. Overlying the red-clay structure, if such it actually was, was a clean soft gray sand averaging 60 cm. in thickness. This merged evenly into the upper sand, 1 to 1.5 m. thick, found as the upper soil forma- tion in the profile through the Ceremonial Court to the north, and into a somewhat lesser thickness of similar sand covering the area im- mediately south of the platform complex. The top of this sand, which was also the present ground surface, fell away sharply south of the area included in the platform profile (fig. 15), and two or three meters away, in the forecourt, was less than one meter thick over the level clay surface. There can be no doubt, I think, that at least three successive stages of platform-building were indicated in our excavations. These are indicated in figure 15 by profiles AA’A’’, the earliest; BB’B’’, the second; and CC’C”’, the third. It is possible there was a fourth one, as suggested by the stepped arrangement of the red clay at the south side, but I am not altogether convinced that this was a structure actually comparable to the earlier, more clearly delineated, ones. If it was, it was certainly erected with less care and effort than were expended in the first three platforms. It is gratifying to note that our profile through the west edge of the clay platform complex, as described in the foregoing pages, seems to correlate at all major points with the views presented by Drucker on the basis of a test pit into the heart of the structures. I did not see Drucker’s manuscript or notes before I went into the field, and our terminologies differ somewhat (cf. figs. 11 and 15). In certain particulars, too, Drucker presents more detail, perhaps in part be- cause of the location of his test in the heart of the platform complex. Nevertheless, the two sets of independent observations can be satisfactorily harmonized. The “soft gray sand” of my profile is, of course, the somewhat thin- ner “medium brown sandy soil (drift)” observed by Drucker, and his “orange-red clay” formation (KE) is my “reddish clay, vari- able...” Of the structure he indicates at D, I noted no good evi- dence, unless my OC’ surface is a part of it. Unquestionably, Drucker’s charcoal layer topping C is identical with my “burned layer” at B’B”’; both of us found this distinctive horizon at 1.2 or 1.3 m. below ground surface. What I have designated as a rather well-defined platform surface at A’A’’ closely approximates Drucker’s line at B; beneath these levels, we both noted mottled clay. I am inclined to believe, also, that the “banded sand” I show at ca. 2.8 m. depth equates with the upper portion of Drucker’s “layers of orange buff and white sandy 44 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 clays” just below his line A. Finally, Drucker’s “dark brown humus- stained sand (original surface)” at 3.15 m. clearly is the “black sand” I show at the same depth. Certain correlations can be made also between the various platforms and the materials found within the Ceremonial Court to the north. The overlying sands are continuous from platform area to all, or nearly all, parts of the Court. The reddish clay next below, shading into a mottled yellowish clay at the north evidently equates in time with a clay that underlies the upper sand and overlies the widespread “tierra bonita” stratum. The “tierra bonita” north of the platform complex is certainly to be correlated with the CC’C”’ platform; and therefore, of course, all features found above this stratum in the Court area, including Monument 12 and the covered pottery vessels in the upper sand, are probably no earlier than platform CC’C”. They could be from a still later period represented by the red clay platform (?) overlying CC’C’’. The mottled clay which, in the Court area north of the platforms, underlies the “tierra bonita,” probably correlates with platform BB’B”, or with AA’A”’, or perhaps with both. As shown in figure 15, platform AA’A” consisted largely of mottled clay separated by a colored band directly overlying a black sand. Mottled clay also ap- peared under circumstances suggesting that it partly underlay, and thus partly preceded, platform BB’B’’. The numerous serpentine celts we found scattered through the tough clay north of Datum A, and probably also the single covered pottery vessel found in the same formation, might then correlate roughly with platform AA’A”’ and/or BB’B”’. The row of celts (pl. 5, 6) 17 m. north of Datum A, at slightly over 2.5 m. depth, probably would also correlate with one of these earlier structures. East Trench, A-1.—As noted above, the east side of the Ceremonial Court was partially defined above ground by a row of 34 upright basalt columns, with occasional gaps in the series that would have accommodated from 3 to 6 more. These began at the northeast corner and ran due south for 19 m., from which point no more columns were visible. In search of some explanation for this abrupt ending of the row halfway between the northeast and presumed southeast corners of the Court, and in an effort to learn something of the nature of construction of the wall, we sank a test trench 4.5 m. wide, starting | m. outside the wall line and running 6 m. west into the Court. Owing to the loose character of the soil to a depth of nearly 1.5 m., it was neces- sary to reduce the area of our test trench as its depth increased. This reduction resulted finally in a test pit 1.5 by 2.4 m., which reached a total depth of 3.95 m. beneath ground surface. i { « i Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 45 The soil formations revealed in this trench parallel in general those found elsewhere in our tests and trenches in the Court area. The upper 1.5 m. consisted of a loose gray drift sand, fairly dark with humus at the surface but becoming lighter with increasing depth. In the lower part of this sand zone and roughly 1 m. inside the line (projected) of the stone columns was a disorderly mass of small rec- tangular dressed stone blocks. There was nothing to show how these had originally been placed; but from analogy with the west wall, to be discussed next, it may be presumed that they had once been a row of blocks set on edge against a clay or brick embankment and facing inward toward the Ceremonial Court. Below the upper sand, at 1.5 m. depth, was a 10-cm. stratum of thin reddish, brown, and yellow sandy clay layers—evidently the “tierra bonita” of our main trench across the Court. This was underlain by 50 em. of reddish and brownish sandy soils, from which the fine even bedding lines of the “tierra bonita” were entirely absent. Below this was another 15-cm. stratum of “tierra bonita’”—well-marked red, brown, white, and dark seams that apparently pinched out and pre- sumably disappeared a short distance east of our deepest test at this spot. The lower “tierra bonita” was underlain by a 50-cm. thickness of variegated sandy soils, predominantly reddish-brown, with very faint suggestions of bedding lines. Below this came 80 cm. of alternate red-brown and light-colored lenses and pockets of fine-textured sands. These strongly contrasting pockets and lenses suggested loading, similar to that noted occasionally elsewhere in our diggings. Beneath the lensed soils was a gray clayey sand, finely mottled with red streaks and blotches. Owing to relatively higher clay content, this formation was much tougher than any of the overlying ones. Its depth was not determined, since at the time we were inclined to suppose this might represent bottom. In light of subsequent findings else- where, I am now doubtful that it actually did mean this. This test trench unfortunately gave us little real information on wall construction, partly because of complete absence of any columns and partly because of the very restricted size of our cut. In light of our more extensive and definitive test in the opposite wall, I doubt that further work on the East Trench would have been justified. The complete absence of any columns and the disorderly manner of occur- rence of the rectangular blocks encountered in the upper sands suggest that the Court wall here had been broken down by the Indians them- selves and that anything Eke an accurate reconstruction would have been out of the question for us. Other than the shaped stone blocks mentioned, no artifacts came to light in this trench. 46 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 West Trench, A-1.—F urther details regarding construction of the walls of the Ceremonial Court were obtained from a trench across the west side, directly opposite the East Trench just described (pl. 6 and fig. 16). The West Trench measured 4 m. in width by 9 m. in length, the long axis running east-west and centering on the line of visible basalt columns. At its east end, inside the Court, this trench reached EXTERIOR COLUMNS FACING BLOCKS /NTER/OR FACING BLOCKS / METER FEET W<— COLUMNS SOFT GRAY SAND i eces | r Ze = Ls if yo uv sae = S LIGHT ~COLOREO ri 69.06? SE BRIcKS JF MOTTLED CLAY ye «of onc o |G g ——— ee ot cor GS25 ——————— " ER a WW “OADED SAN 4 “BLACK” SAND © ‘ OMNae a3 es oo’ 4 METER FEET 2” TIERRA BONITA, THICKENS TO EAST SANDY SAND, STREAKED ANO LENSED CHARCOAL LAYER. DARK SAND, STREAKY 8LACK SAND (CARBONACEOU. L£/GHT SOFT SAND b Ficure 16.—a, Planof West Trench. 6, Section through west wall of Ceremonial Court, A-1; exterior of Court wall is to left. a depth of 5 m.; but in the interests of safety for our workmen, we had to reduce its area here to a 2.5 m. square. At the west end, outside the Court, the test reached a depth of 4.2 m. We did not attempt removal of the row of columns, and had learned from hard experience that their great weight called for a fairly substantial base. An unex- cavated block 2.5 m. thick, along the center of which stood the columns, Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 47 was therefore left between the inner and outer pits of this trench (fig. 16). Considering first the findings on the inner, or Court, end of the trench, the uppermost formation revealed was again a soft gray sand— the same that showed up elsewhere in our excavations in and about the Court. Where this formation came into our West Trench, it had a thickness of about 18 m. At 1.5 m. from the row of columns, its lower margin dipped sharply to about 2.3 m. depth which level, if maintained westward into the block we did not excavate, would pre- sumably have run just under the probable base of the columns. Actually, this thickening sand formation ended abruptly against a clay bench. This showed a flat upper surface 1.25 m. below ground level, extending 1 m. east from the row of columns, and then dropping away in a nearly vertical front facing into the Court. Set into the upper edge of the clay front were four shaped rectangular stone blocks forming a sort of facing band apparently similar to that uncovered by Drucker (supra, p. 32, and figure 13, c) in the inside northwest corner of the Court. The blocks we uncovered, averaging about 40 to 50 em. long, 20 cm. wide, and 8 to 10 em. thick, were without much doubt the remnants of a once continuous row that faced inward on the Court. Above the level of this band was only soft gray sand; beneath and behind, to the row of columns, was a tough clay. We found no evidence of the second and lower series of blocks reported by Drucker on the inside face of the wall. Below the soft gray upper sand, between 1.3 and 2 m. depth, was a light-colored mottled clay, underlain in turn by a band of “tierra bonita” which seemed to thicken where it passed eastward out of our trench. This band presumably connects with the traces of similar material underlying the upper sands along our main north-south trench through the Court. It is at, or very near, the level at which Drucker (supra, p. 32) reported ‘a sort of step or platform along the inside of the wall” in the northwest corner. Below the “tierra bonita” was a sandy reddish clay that changed to a gray color and showed progressively more clay content westward to the unexcavated bleck. Its lower contact was uneven, and the thickness of the zone varied from about 60 cm. on the east to nearly 110 cm. on the west. It is tempting to regard this as the west edge of the massive mottled clay that formed the lower part of our main trench walls in the north half of the Ceremonial Court; but further excavation between our West Trench and the main trench across the Court would be needed to prove or disprove this point. So far as stratigraphic position is concerned, the material is at any rate analogous to, if not identical with, the mottled clay. Under the clay just noted, our excavation disclosed only a series of variable sand formations. The first of these, lying between 3- and 4-m. 48 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 depth, was streaked and somewhat lensed, in places suggesting load- ing. At 4 m. there was a thin seam of charcoal such as might have resulted from the incomplete burning of brush; and there was evi- dence that the surface on which this burning had taken place extended beyond the limits of our trench in all directions. Below this, the sand was again dark and streaky, apparently with a high carbon content. At 5 m., bottom of our trench, only light soft clean sand was visible; its depth was not ascertained. Other than the changing soil formations, some of which certainly correlate with native uses of the Court area, the only evidence of purposeful construction in this part of the West Trench was the clay bench fronting the row of columns and the four rectangular blocks set into its upper inner edge. On the outside of the Court wall, there was evidence of a rather more involved structure (fig. 16, 6). The uppermost soil forma- tion was again the soft gray sand, some 60 cm. deep against the columns and deepening to 1.6 m. at a distance of four or five meters outside. Beneath this, near the columns, was a reddish clay layer 50 to 60 cm. thick, which sloped downward toward the west into a mottled light-colored clay. Underlying the reddish clay was a sort of platform or rampart of sun-dried brick. The uppermost course of bricks, 1.25 m. below ground surface, was on a level with the stone facing blocks on the inside of the Court wall. At a point 2.25 m. from the columns, the brickwork fell away sharply for 50 cm., where there was a ledge 40 to 50 cm. wide. Below the ledge, other brickwork amounting to eight or nine courses, formed another steep slope of 75 cm. vertical height. Below, and 25 cm. outside the lower toe of this platform, were several stone facing blocks that were evidently the remnants of a horizontal band corresponding in appearance to that found on the inner side of the wall. This outer band lay 1.25 m. lower than the inner, and very nearly on a level with the contact between sandy red clay and the streaked sand inside the Court wall. No traces of this band were reported by Drucker in his excavations at the northwest corner of the Court. Beneath the brickwork came a series of sand formations. Upper- most was a lensed sand, alternately dark and light in color, that rather strongly suggested loading; it averaged some 25 to 30 em. thick. Below this was a 1-m. depth of light gray fairly clean sand, in turn underlain by 30 to 50 cm. of very dark gray sand. As will be apparent from figure 16, the soil formations on the outside do not exactly cor- respond with those on the inside; but there are unconformities both in- side and out that look suspiciously like related surfaces. Unfortu- nately, the unexcavated block separating the two deeper ends of our Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 49 trench still holds the final answer to the question of soil correlations here. I am inclined to suspect that the original ground surface on which the Ceremonial Court was started, was somewhere in or on one of the lower sandy formations, not less than three or four meters beneath the present ground surface. All soils found east of the wall to 3-m. depth can be tentatively, but plausibly, correlated with one or another of the several horizons exposed in our main trench across the Court. Whether the black sand at about 4 m. in the West Trench is the same as the black sand underlying the stepped platform complex (see p. 40) I cannot say from the evidence at hand. The “loaded” sand on the outside of the wall at 2- to 2.75-m. depth suggests a capping on a prepared sand base erected to carry the main wall. Above it was a substantial platform of sun-dried brick, at least 1.5 m. thick and of an uncertain breadth that certainly did not exceed 4m. This brick platform, fronted on the west by a horizontal band of shaped stone blocks set on edge, was stepped on its west face and seems to have had a flat top. Whether this flat top was left so when the Court was in use, I have no way of knowing; it seems possible the red clay was added to the outside of the wall to give greater support to the columns, and that the brickwork was entirely concealed. On the other hand, the clay that covered the bricks also covered the rows of stone blocks, which were almost certainly ornamental rather than utilitarian. My guess is that the brick rampart and its rows of inner and outer fac- ing blocks, like the upper 1 to 1.5 m. of the upright columns, were fully visible at the time they were in active use. The lower ends of the columns, though nowhere uncovered in the West Trench, were infer- entially on or near the level of the base of the observable brickwork, and were presumably bedded in massive clay rather than in brickwork. As indicated in figure 16, upper, the basalt columns had been set with their flattest and smoothest surfaces facing inward onto the Ceremo- nial Court (pl. 6, 6). We found no evidence of horizontal bracing columns against the outside bases of the uprights. The total width of the wall at its base was between 4.5 and 5 m.; its height, from the top of the columns down to the base of the brickwork, was probably in the neighborhood of 3.5 m. It may be noted in passing that the West Trench yielded no arti- facts of pottery, stone, or other materials, other than the items already mentioned as actually forming a part of the wall itself. East Platform, A-1—The East Platform, as noted above, was a rectangular column-enclosed structure projecting southward from the wall line of the Ceremonial Court about 10 m. from its southeast corner. Like the apparently similar structure excavated in 1942 by Drucker near the southwest corner, as Trench P-3, the East Platform was sur- 50 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 rounded by incomplete rows of more or less upright basalt columns, and measured roughly 6.5 by 8 m. The entire East Platform was isolated by trenches 1 to 1.5 m. wide by approximately 2 m. in depth; greater depth would have been desirable, but was not feasible because of the risk of collapse of the enclosing columns. These trenches, nevertheless, afforded a fairly adequate idea as to the exterior appearance of the structure. It con- sisted of originally vertical basalt columns, averaging 2.25 to 2.75 m. in length, which had been set closely side by side to enclose an area measuring 6.3 by 7.8 m., the longer dimension being east-west. The north and south sides each included 16 columns; the shorter east and west sides consisted of 12 and 14, respectively. They stood appar- ently in or on a clay embankment, and were secured in an upright position by means of horizontal columns laid against them at a height of about one meter above their bases. There were three of these hori- zontal bracers on the north and south sides, and two on the east and west sides. Owing to the badly tumbled condition of the south and west sides, no further details could be learned regarding their construction below the horizontal bracers. On the east and north sides, however, further excavation showed that the horizontal columns lay on a clay bench ca. 50 to 70 cm. wide. Against the outer upper edge of the bench, set into the clay along the east side, was a row of 13 rectangular basalt blocks. These averaged 25 to 45 cm. in length, 22 to 24 em. wide, and about 10 cm. thick. They were set on edge, with the long axis hori- zontal and the ends touching, so as to form a continuous band along the edge of the clay bench. On the east side, there was some suggestion that these blocks rose slightly from south to north, as if they had been set in a series of terraces (pl. 7, a) ; but this appearance may have been a result of slumping of some of the blocks. The bands of facing blocks on the east and north sides intersected at the northeast corner of the platform. Those on the north wall, averaging uniformly 45 cm. in length, were rather badly disarranged ; but enough remained in place to show their probable original arrange- ment. It soon became evident, too, that this band of facers was not the only feature here. Lying against the base of the row was a line of smaller stones, less carefully shaped and finished but each having one flat surface, which was turned downward. These secondary blocks were all under 30 cm. long, 15 to 20 em. wide, and 8 to 10 em. thick. Not many of these remained in place, but it can be safely inferred, JT think, that they had once formed a narrow stone benchlike structure all along the north wall of the platform, facing northward onto the Court area (pl. 7,5). They rested on the same clay base as did the vertical facing stones behind them and also the columns. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 51 As already indicated, limitations of time prevented complete ex- cavation of the east, south, and west sides of this platform and a determination of the nature and extent of the clay foundations on which the columns and other stone work rested. Along the north wall, however, we cut a trench to an average depth of 3 m. below ground level, or about 1.5 m. below the presumed bases of the upright columns. This showed (fig. 17) that the tough reddish clay support- ing the stonework gave way, not far below the band of facing blocks, to a mottled sandy clay without bedding lines and containing occasional lumps of charcoal, minute fragments of pottery, and other cultural debris. This material continued to the bottom of our trench, which at no point penetrated to the original pre-Court ground surface. Our trench along the outside north wall of the East Platform also gave some indication of the vertical relationship between the structure and the fill within the Court enclosure. Above the facing blocks, the fill consisted of a loose gray sand about 1.35 m. deep. In the north wall of our trench, this was underlain by 30 cm. of sandy clay, and this in turn by a 15-em. band of finely layered reddish, brownish, and yel- low earths—without much doubt, I think, the “tierra bonita” found at practically the same depth in our main north-south trench across the Court. Beneath this, reading downward, came successively a 60-cm. thickness of heavy mottled clay; a 7-cm. band of varicolored finely layered sands; and then ca. 50 cm. more of the mottled clay. In general, except for the lower band of colored sands, these formations coincided in all respects with those found in our main trench across the Court. Returning again to the excavations in the East Platform, removal of the fill within the enclosed rectangle revealed (figs. 18, 19; pl. 7, ¢) first a layer of sandy gray humus and topsoil approximately 40 to 45 cm. deep. Beneath this was a layer of reddish clay which also ap- proximated 40 to 45 em. in thickness over the entire enclosed area, except where it thickened markedly next to the columns on all sides. Apparently, it formed a base or matrix into which the upright columns had been set, and also the bench around the outside on which lay the horizontal bracing columns and at the edge of which were set the small rectangular facing blocks. This judgment is based in part on infer- ence; the weight of the remaining columns and their position were such that at most points we did not excavate all of the supporting and underlying soil. With increasing depth, the reddish clay became varicolored and streaked or blotchy, and, at a depth of 1 m. below ground surface, this gave way to a structure of sun-dried bricks. These lay in some 12 to 15, or even more, horizontal courses (pl. 8, a). The bricks varied a good deal in size and proportions; several that may be regarded ETHNOLOGY [Bull, 153 BUREAU OF AMERICAN 52 (q wh ‘\d pue [¢ ‘d os|e 22S) EN ainodg [etuoWsIo7) 94} episul WOlF UZ0S se WIOF}E[ J sey fO |[BM 10119} xo yiiou jo Yo Joys a4YOlg—'/T ce: dete) | 41777 Scere a ee Oe ae | r & f 4 oO YFILIW / ee eee ‘2L7 “SOYTHS TYNOISYIIO “SIN/7T ONIGGIG YWVINDIY ON “WII AONYS GITLLOW / ° = FIFI LSYF _ NMOQ JAS Lev 77 OW _ FHL NO ISOHL SLIIS FISIMIIAT “S¥I078 YILNI SHIOTE ONIIe4 SO MOY HLYON FHL og AUT NI ea LIS SNI078 Gp aS eS ban Nee Satna yy lee FYFH WOW SYFLIW c YY TNOINY : ie SHIOTI hata ONYS Avw9 1798 j “J7IPM FHL UIIWWOD OL ‘WIOTE _ NWATOD,S INO LSOW LY YO 'SWIO7G ON SHIV7 . ATEYEONdS GNI SIHL J <— - — MM 53 LA VENTA, TABASCO Drucker] (‘TE *d ose 99g) *[-Y “NOD [eruoUsIaD jo WOPeg seq YINosYI vores YINos-yWON—*g] AUNT LIFTS (a ya) & @ ‘ ° VFILIW / (yee) 4 ° LW A q7 ees LZ HIOT8 THLNOZ/SOH A SMIOTG ODNIDFS NOILISOS LHIOIASN TYN/IDIYO OL GIVYOLSTY NWIATOD N— CILYAVYPIX INA 4 4 ji— (2 HLddI7 7) NOILPONNOS HLlYYF ONY FTIGNY INOLS —> Y% Y 1°ON LNIWFN GS ASUW FAOL AW7D MOTTIA HONOL FIGGNY AY7D GFx ONY HSILIHM = AGNYS OFTLLOW LISOPDTS IXY WHOSW/DIIIN, 2a1Cs 1S) Sse cacacicacR SSS SSSseacscie bs [en] SSS SS. S336 Gate ta = eae en Ys | ce [ees [| ee] ah a w SNWITOD Pl NIHWOYT ONY NIT7T¥S SO T7NY ig & FOSS SIHL 2 NWIITOD YIWYAS NOILISOd LH9/adSN TYN/IDIYO OL OFAOLSTY NWNTIOD LNIWSNb¢d YOAS INIT ISVG LSIM-LSVF —S [Bull. 153 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 54 (T¢ “d osje 99g) “JV ‘unoD JeluouTsIa_ fo wOpE(g Iseq Y3no1y} uore8 JsoM-]se3]—'6] TANI ] dg =/ wd \ Aer A. ” a) x 7 N n VEEP; Y, [ ao eo Pa ee lL ee a eh ee ee oe ee ee ee ee oe aa eg ata Y ISVS AVTI C/'ON LNININKS HMSYW FHO/L YR I / | See ea | / ° g r S ITGGNY AVTO AQNYS S w 2 + " < wD) J > mc R = Ooo SSoosaonmoae Sl leeion = d = (em (on [pe SSIs L Ac See ee eee = ua [ems [een] ees easter 3 3 ‘=a [oes oom [on [ome [ed Cac SSsSses % 6 ae 7 seats : ce 3S Zz ; Si Yl =r Si Le aS 20.7 CG. Lv. ==" 2s 7 Vy Y a} , ey VS. sce ipl YY la VII oes SOI ae SSmaoago000 Sao ATO Ji, Jj< ANIWIAVA YO INIT FSV HLNOS - HLYON —>M Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO ao as average specimens approximated 35 by 22 by 10 cm. Most were olive-gray to greenish and yellowish in color, and they had been set in a reddish clay; when freshly exposed, they formed a rather strik- ing pattern of colors. They composed a solid mass extending nearly to the columns on all sides, from which, however, they were separated by an apparently brick-free red clay. We were unable to determine with certainty whether the brickwork extended laterally below the columns. J am inclined to doubt that it did; but there is the possibility that more carefully cut sections through the wall than we were able to make would show traces of such a foundation, perhaps somewhat obscured by crushing of the bricks under the great weight of the columns. The maximum observed thickness of the coursed brickwork totalled approximately 2.25 m. Its lower limit vertically was rather strongly marked, unlike the lateral and upper margins, where the weathering and disintegration of the adobes had largely obscured their extent. Beneath the brickwork, and about three meters below the ground surface, the character of the fill changed abruptly to a light mottled pinkish sand mixed with lumps of dirty whitish clay. The contact between this material and the overlying bricks was horizontal and perfectly even throughout the extent of the platform area (pl. 9). Some 15 or 20 cm. below the contact plane between bricks and under- lying sandy clay rubble, completely enclosed by the latter material, and about 50 cm. west of the center of the column-enclosed area, was a cruciform cache of 20 celts (pl. 8) and other objects. In this arrange- ment (pl. 8, 6), the upright of the cross was oriented north-south, with its shortest arm, represented by three celts lying side by side, toward the south. Below these lay two large celts, also side by side and about 20 cm. apart; then came successively three large celts, three smaller ones, a hematite mirror pendant, and finally a single celt. Each of the celts in the upright of the cross was oriented with its long axis north-south, paralleling the axis of the upright. The arms of the cross each consisted of one group of three medium to small celts and a single large one at the end, all these specimens lying with their long axis east-west. The celts were of moderately good workman- ship; most were of serpentine, but two or three were of some harder stone, apparently jade. In north-south extent, the cross measured 1.1 m.; in east-west extent, 1.25 m. There was no evidence of a specially prepared bed for the celts. Between the two large celts, where the upright and horizontal arms of the cross intersected, there was a circular blackened layer, slightly concave, and measuring 17 cm. in diameter. Near its center were traces of charred or oxidized wood that had apparently been covered with reg pigment; the entire area had a curiously fibrous or grainy 947310525 56 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 structure. I presume there had once been a circular wooden plaque here, probably painted with red ochre or cinnabar; but the faint sur- viving traces offered no clue to its further appearance. The hematite mirror near the north end of the cross was irregularly oblong in shape, and measured 8.8 by 6.0 by 0.5 cm. Its upper sur- face had been carefully ground and polished to a shallow concavity with a low flat border. Near one of the longer sides, marked by a broken and unfinished edge, were two small perforations 5 cm. apart. Beneath the cruciform celt cache, the mottled sandy clay continued to a depth of 1.8m. more. Here, at a depth of slightly less than 5 m. below ground surface (pl. 9), was the most interesting feature of all—a carefully built pavement of stone blocks representing, ap- parently, a conventionalized jaguar mask. This, the first of two such constructions uncovered in the 1943 excavations, was designated Pavement No. 1 (pl. 10 and fig. 20). Pavement No. 1 was within a few centimeters of being perfectly square in outline, its four sides varying in length between 4.63 and 4.7m. It consisted of 443 blocks of serpentine, each carefully dressed to a square or rectangular form with smoothed upper and nether surfaces. In size they varied from small pieces approximately 12 cm. across to others as much as 80 or 40 cm. in maximum dimension; thickness averaged consistently in the neighborhood of 5 or 6 cm. All of these blocks had apparently been laid in a thin layer of asphalt or pitch, which occurred under and between them. Underlying the asphalt was an exceedingly tough brownish-yellow clay, 5 to 7 cm. thick, below which, in turn, was a compact stone rubble consisting of irregular fragments of serpentine and other rock held together with more clay. This rubble underlay the entire pavement, extend- ing beyond it in all directions to and beyond the edge of our exca- vations. The stone fragments were so thoroughly compacted and interlocked as to be almost impossible to remove; and we finally gave up our attempts to get through the mass when, 60 cm. below its sur- face, we found ourselves still in the rubble. Even here it was so compact that a pick could be driven only a few centimeters into it. There is, thus, no way of telling at this time how much deeper the rubble continued; but what we saw represented an extraordinarily solid foundation for the pavement and all that lay above. The pavement has been described as approximately square in out- line, at any rate in its principal section. Basically, it had been con- structed as an open square, with three rows of blocks on the west, north, and east sides, and two rows across the south. Almost without exception, the blocks in these rows lay with their long axes north- south. The first row on the north was not complete throughout its length; at its center three or four blocks had been omitted to leave a =— Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 57 gap approximately 50 cm. wide. The second row included a central gap also, but this had been partially filled by two blocks laid with their long axes running east-west. The third row, of 32 blocks, was unbroken throughout its length, as were the bordering rows on the east, south, and west sides of the pavement. ANDO CROSS SECTION &-W BASEL/NE FOR PAVEMENT fear (See also pls. 10, 11.) i EDGE OF EXCAVATION (ey —— N-S BASELINE FOR PAVEMENT ANDO CROSS SECTION Boise aN Ry Ficure 20.—Plan of Pavement’ No. 1, beneath East Platform) of Ceremonial Court, A-1, showing rela- Oe game Rg OA ee lew te case (cy fai Y ia Y Pao: A N ‘ a“ ag See! ‘ ose -sy77 a aN cr £OGE OF EXCAVATION tionship to column enclosure and other structural features. poms eras “ a“ ’ oN KO NUMEROUS FALLEN COLUMNS IN UPPER PORTION OF THIS AREA | ta 8 9 9 9399 So oe a SSS SSeS = Within the hollow square thus created, various rows and other groupings of blocks divided the enclosed area into five unpaved sec- tions of varying sizes and shapes. The largest was at the north; it consisted of an open area 3.6 m. east—west by 80 to 85 cm. north-south. Ten cm. inside the west, north, and east sides ran a line of narrow blocks, 7 to 10 cm. wide by 12 to 25 cm. long; there were three blocks each on the east and west sides and 15 along the north. Along the 58 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 south side were two short rows of fairly large blocks, so spaced as to leave a 45 cm. gap in the middle and somewhat longer gaps between their respective ends and the border blocks. The gap separating these two short rows was due south of the central notch at the north edge of the pavement. South of this space, two solid rows of blocks ran entirely across the square. The north-south midline of the pavement, as suggested, ran through the notch at the north side and also through the space separating the two short rows of blocks along the south edge of the north un- paved area, just described. In the south half, it ran along the mid- line of a narrow rectangular paved area 3 blocks, or 50 cm., wide by 7 blocks, 1.45 m., long in the north-south direction. This rectangle was surrounded by a narrow unpaved border averaging 12 to 15 cm. wide. Three rows of blocks running north-south on each side separated this panel and its border from other unpaved areas to east and west. These latter areas, one in the southeast quarter of the pavement, the other in the southwest quarter, each measured 1 m. wide, east— west by 2 m. long. Each in turn was divided into two sections by a double row of blocks running east-west. On the west, this resulted in 2 small rectangular areas; that on the north was 75 cm. north- south by 1 m., while that on the south was 85 cm. by 1m. On the east, the same measurements were retained, but with the larger open- ing on the north. Along the south side of each of these 4 openings was a single row of 5 slabs and then, touching these on the north, 2 single blocks set 25 to 35 cm. apart. So much for the main body of the pavement. When we were clear- ing along the south edge in preparation for photographing, we found to our surprise that additional slabs, also set in asphalt, continued southward under the wall of the excavation. With our allotted time fast running out, we here discovered a series of four large diamond- shaped appendages running well beyond the south line of columns topping and outlining the East Platform. A cave-in of the entire upper south wall of our excavation, following a heavy rain, forced us to snake out the fallen columns, and thus enabled us to work farther into the area surrounding the pavement in something approaching safety. Here, by tunneling nearly one meter beyond the south line of columns, we finally found the ends of two of the diamond-shaped appendages (pl. 11). As stated, the appendages were four in number. Their over-all width totalled 4.6 m., practically the same as that of the main pave- ment. ach consisted of four large petaloid limestone slabs, with one end more or less carefully squared. They ranged in length from 50 to 60 cm., and in width from 25 to 35cm. They were laid flat, in most Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 59 instances with the rounded end of one against the corner of the next, and with one corner of each of the squares or lozenges so formed touching the south edge of the main pavement area. At each corner of the squares was set a small squarish or triangular stone, sometimes augmented by two still smaller triangular ones. At the south corner of each, the small stones were uniformly triangular in shape. Next to these, in each of the two units completely cleared, lay another large rectangular slab measuring 20 by 50 cm., with its long axis east-west. Extending off the south side of each slab were 4 smaller rectangular blocks, each measuring 15 by 35 cm. ‘These radiated out fanwise to- ward the south. They were proportionately narrower and less care- fully finished than the large blocks from which they fanned out. The extreme south end of the two fans exposed was 1.7 m. from the south edge of the main pavement square. We assume that the two unex- cavated appendages, shown by broken lines in the ground plan (fig. 20), probably terminated in similar fashion. When the appendages were cleared, it was found that the large asphalt-encrusted slabs were bordered by about 5 cm. of the tough yellow clay. Within the triangular and diamond-shaped areas thus delimited, there was a compact fill of greenish-gray clay mottled and streaked with purplish-red, the whole forming a very striking color pattern when freshly exposed or otherwise dampened. The large slabs were encrusted with asphalt to a thickness of as much as 2 to 4 mm.; they were the only stones which, as a group, gave any evidence of having once been asphalt-coated on their upper visible surface. The lengthy and, I fear, not very lucid description just given can- not adequately set forth the impressiveness of the pavement as it finally lay revealed to our gaze. The blocks of green serpentine, set in asphalt on a yellow clay bed, with a purplish-red veined background for the appendages along the south, presented a most striking picture— particularly so, when the entire surface was cleaned with water and the colors came out in all their richness. Only a full-color photo- graph, for which the circumstances regrettably were unfavorable, would have done it something approaching justice. The Forecourt, A-1.—Approximately 1 m. south of the stepped clay platforms in the south central part of the Ceremonial Court, our north-south main trench increased in width from 1.5 to6 m. Here, beneath 75 to 85 cm. of soft gray sand, we uncovered a level surface of compact reddish clay extending east and west into and beyond the walls of our cut. Southward, it was readily traced for some 10.5 m., i. e., approximately to a line connecting the south fronts of the East and West Platforms. At this point, 27 m. south of the center of the Cere- monial Court (i. e., Datum A), the red clay surface gave way abruptly to a soft sandy fill of undetermined depth and extent. About one 60 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 meter in front of the clay-floored surface lay three basalt columns, arranged like steps to give easy passage downward from the platform. The columns (pl. 12, a) averaged between 30 and 40 cm. in diameter by 2.7 to 2.9 m. in length. As found, they formed a series of risers 15 to 20 em. high, and treads of approximately the same breadth. Between the topmost column and the actual clay front, in a sandy fill, were short fragments of two or more columns, evidently not in their original position. These suggest that the steps may once have risen slightly higher or, more probably, that between the steps and the plat- form there was once a sort of landing made of column sections. Be- neath the columns, and concentrated chiefly at their west end, was a scattered mass of limestone boulders and fragments; their purpose was not clear. The arrangement here, in general, suggests a level clay platform or forecourt, bounded on the north by the stepped clay plat- forms, on the west and east by the West and East Platforms, respec- tively, and on the south by a rather abrupt break into a lower plaza to which access was facilitated by the columns forming a short stairway. Directly south of the lowermost step column, and at the same level about one meter below ground surface, lay the corner of a broken carved table altar; another smaller fragment lay about one meter to the southwest at the same level. Both pieces were in the soft sandy fill that began at the steps and ran, to an undetermined depth, south- ward to the edge of Mound A-3. No other fragments of this altar (pl. 64 and fig. 54) came to light, nor can we say with certainty just where the object stood when in use. A detailed description and re- construction has been made elsewhere by Drucker (infra, p. 182). Miscellaneous features, A—1—Elsewhere I have noted that the southeast corner of the Ceremonial Court, unlike the other three corners, was not visible on the cleared ground surface. With tape and compass we computed the approximate location of the missing point, and then set workmen to the task of locating some subsurface evidence of it. In this we were unsuccessful; a test pit to nearly 1.5 m. depth disclosed not the slightest trace of any stonework or columns that could be interpreted as proof of a marked spot or corner. There was evidence, however, of adobe construction in the north face of our pit here—an observation that assumed some significance in light of the brickwork subsequently found when we uncovered a section of the west wall of the Ceremonial Court. Closer inspection of the surface contours here led us to suspect that some sort of platform or other structure had once lain near or at the probable southeast corner. The tops of six closely set upright basalt columns were visible, beginning 5.75 m. southwest of the cal- culated corner of the Court and running 3 m. due south. The north end of this row was 3.5 to 4 m. from the presumed wall line of the Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 61 Court. On excavation, it was found that 4 or 5 columns lay criss- cross, apparently in purposeless fashion, against the base of these uprights. Just east of the southernmost upright, about 7.5 m. from the wall line of the Court, was a band of six shaped rectangular blocks. The blocks varied in size from 25 to 60 cm.; they were set on edge, end to end, and extended east for 3m. Behind, that is north, of these blocks was a compact clay fill rising some 60 cm. above their level. The thickness and horizontal extent of this material were not determined. In that portion of the area here cleared of surface sand, however, a heavy washing rain disclosed clear evidence of laid up sun-dried bricks. It may be suggested that the six upright columns and the nearby facing blocks once marked the corner of a brick plat- form perhaps 4 m. wide and extending 7 m. or more south from the main rectangle of the Ceremonial Court at its southeast corner. So far as I am aware, there were no comparable surface stones or columns at the southwest corner of the Court; but the ground contours gave some hint there, too, of an underlying platform or other slightly elevated structure. There is a hint, too, I think, that the facing blocks fronting the structure at the southeast corner were not primarily made for use here. They consisted actually of two distinct sizes and shapes. The stone at the west end of the row and the two at the east end, ‘were carefully dressed on all surfaces; they averaged very close to 50 by 22 by 8cm. The remaining three blocks were all much smaller, about 30 by 20 by 7 cm.; they were uniformly less well made, with only one surface flattened, the others rounded off but not dressed down. These two sizes of blocks were employed together, but each with a distinct place, in the north wall of the East Platform, as described in connec- tion with that feature in a preceding section. Their use at the south- east corner of the Court suggests possible utilization of left-over or plundered building material made originally for use elsewhere; and it thus seems possible that the structure which once stood here may have been a later addition, originally not planned for, to the Court area. MOUND EXCAVATIONS IN AREA A-2 The 1948 excavations in the North Mound, A-2, lying immediately beyond the Ceremonial Court, consisted of a trench 3 m. wide con- necting with our main north-south trench through the Court and extending northward to the summit of A-2. Our principal objectives were: (a) to determine, if possible, the exact relationship of A-2 to the Ceremonial Court, and (0) to learn something more about the nature and construction of the mound itself. It is most embarrassing to have to admit that the profile diagram made of our trench wall has been unaccountably lost and is not available at time of this writing. 62 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 There are at hand only my rather sketchy field notes, which were in- tended to supplement rather than parallel the diagram. Drucker has noted that his 1942 excavations showed at least one enlargement of the mound. This is described as consisting of the heightening of an older structure by some 2.57 m. of later fill, in which were enclosed a tomb built of columns (Tomb A of the sketch map, fig. 14), a large stone coffer, and other materials. Our trench through the south half of the mound suggested that its core consisted of a series of clay platforms or, perhaps, a low stepped pyramid, somewhat re- sembling the clay platforms we sectioned in the south central part of the Court. Throughout most of our 1943 cut, which reached a maximum depth of slightly more than 5 m., the lowest formation was a very dark soft sand, underlain at one point by an equally soft clean white sand. Above the dark sand was a massive deposit of whitish sandy clay, with a lumpy appearance that suggested material brought in as large clods and irregular chunks. This layer, apparently forming a rude but sub- stantial base for the overlying mound platform, varied in thickness from 30 to 100 cm. It, like the overlying platform surfaces, ended abruptly at the north some 5 or 6 m. south of the stone coffer uncovered by Drucker in 1942 and about 2 or 3 m. south of his deepest test. pit. Here there was a steeply sloping break accentuated by a thin but unmistakable line of purplish soil, north of which the structural lines gave way to a rather chaotic mass of clay of various colors. How far northward this apparent structural break extended we could not de- termine, since there was not sufficient time to trace it through or be- yond the unexcavated block on which still stood the stone coffer and Tomb A. My impression, which unfortunately cannot be checked against a detailed field diagram, was that of a large pit dug by the natives into a series of older platforms, with the coffer and Tomb A placed in or on a more or less structureless fill, and then covered with red-orange clay. In the south part of the mound, the several observable steps or plat- form fronts gradually faded away just north of a point where the short north walls of the Court, if projected toward each other, would have intersected our trench. The terrace fronts and platforms were marked by thin purplish seams, in some places clearly numbering 20 or more layers within a distance of 2 or 3 cm. The lumpy-looking clay also ended abruptly at about the same point in a 30-cm. drop; and the underlying dark basal sand dipped sharply downward nearly 1 meter. There was no evidence of stone columns or other structures at this point ; but for some 2 or 3 m. farther southward into the Court area proper, there was only a mass of unstratified reddish and yellow- ish clay. The upper portion of this mass tended to be redder, and Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 63 apparently correlated with the material forming the upper part of the mound proper—the red-orange clay described by Drucker as sur- rounding and underlying Tomb A, the coffer, and other nearby fea- tures. As a thinning wedge, the red clay extended southward for another 2 m., suggesting that the southern limit of Mound A-2 actually lay about 6 or 7 m. within the northern wall line of the Court area. Below this mound edge, at depth of 1.9 m., we again recognized the “tierra bonita” layer already described from the exposures in the main Court trench ; above it was 1.6 m. of loose gray sand. The only feature remaining to be described from this part of our diggings is a carved stone altar elsewhere described by Drucker as Monument 18 (pl. 63). It stood upright 14 m. north of Datum A and 6 m. south of the north wall line of the Court. Its flat subcircular carved top lay 80 cm. below ground level; the obliquely broken base rested directly on the red mound clay 1.6 m. below ground level. In the trench wall just east of the altar, at 1.45 m. depth, a burned clay surface suggesting a floor was traceable for about 1 m. northward. Lack of time precluded clearing of the nearby area along the south front of Mound A-2. On the basis of our observations, I think there is no doubt that the altar, Monument 13, lay on the mound slope and was directly associated with that structure. I think, too, that the row of axes found 3 m. to the north and at 2.5 m. depth (page 39), underlay the mound structure and cannot be considered as a part of that complex. In reporting the 1942 excavations in Mound A-2, Drucker noted (see also fig. 9) that “between the tomb and the stone box, nearly touching the latter, was a series of 11 irregularly placed basalt columns, 2.2 to 2.9 m. long, of the same sort as those used in the construction of the tomb, but of smaller diameter and less regular cross section.” As he further observed, these were all laid more or less north-south; some were tilted, and those in the middle were generally deeper than the outer ones. They varied in depth below mound surface from 0.68 m. to 1.49 m., and the spacing between contiguous columns varied widely. They suggested nothing quite so much as a mass of building material left over after construction of the nearby Tomb A, and were understandably so regarded until resumption of investigations in 1948. The columns in question, as seen in 1943, covered an irregularly rec- tangular area measuring approximately 3.5 m. east-west by 2.5 m. Those in the middle lay some 50 or 60 cm. lower than the outer ones, as if they had once covered a pit or loosely filled space that later collapsed or settled. We removed the columns, and then in the cleared space (pl. 13, a) started an exploratory pit 2.5 m. square. This was in a mottled lumpy-looking clay of very compact character. Within a couple of hours, streaks of cinnabar were showing up; and by the time 64 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY (Bull. 153 our excavation had reached a depth of 2.5 m. below mound surface, or about 75 cm. below the columns, this brilliant pigment constituted a large proportion of the fill over an area measuring 3.3 by 1.2 m. Beneath and in the lower part of this cinnabar-filled clay, was a gravelike deposit of jade celts, ornaments, and other objects, to the total number of 108 pieces. The celts, mostly of small size, were scattered more or less haphazardly throughout a rectangular area 2.1 m. east-west by 0.7 m. (pl. 13,0). The specimen at the southwest corner, one of the largest in the group, was notched at the bit and bore on its under side the representation of a conventionalized Jaguar-monster (pl. 56, deft). All others were plain, but well-made and _ nicely smoothed. In the midst of the area of greatest concentration of celts were two well-made but undecorated jade earplugs, lying about 12 to 15 em. apart. Beside each lay one medium-sized and one slender object of jade, all perforated, and suggesting earbobs. West of these, in a curving discontinuous line, were 35 globular beads, with 14 more arranged in a small circle nearby. Some of these were fluted or gadrooned; and in one case we detected a recurrent arrangement of three globular centrally perforated beads followed by a single bead with right angle perforation, i. e., a 1-3-1-3-1 sequence. Between the row of beads and the earplugs was a small circular jade disk and a tubular jade bead. Partially encircled by the beads was a piece of hematite mirror with one perforation; the other fragment, also with single perforation, lay about 60 cm. away and east of the earplugs. Other items present included 11 scattered tubular beads and, finally, beneath the circle of globular beads, a tiny skull carved of jade, ca. 6 or 7mm. high. It may be noted that much the heaviest concentration of cinnabar occurred in an area measuring roughly 75 by 75 cm., begin- ning at the east side midway between earplugs and second mirror fragment and almost covering the breadth of the celt-littered zone at this point. I have referred to this find as a “gravelike deposit,” and on the accompanying plan of Complex A it is indicated as Tomb E. Despite this designation, based largely on the arrangement of objects other than celts in such a manner that they suggested ornaments attached to, or closely associated with, a human body, there were no scraps of bone, tooth enamel, or other items clearly identifiable as remains of a human skeleton. As will be apparent in the discussion of the 1943 finds in Mound A-8, there were at least two comparable instances of jade deposits so arranged as to suggest grave furniture but without the slightest accompanying trace of bone or tooth enamel. I am unable to state positively, therefore, that these were actually burials, although the impression that they were is a strong one. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 65 One other point of passing interest may be noted here. In my gen- eral description of the Ceremonial Court as I first saw it in 1943, I noted that the 40-m. west wall included 65 visible columns plus a tree- covered gap of about 8.5m. Where the line seemed least disturbed, the columns were set at intervals of ca. 50 cm., center tocenter. Allow- ing 17 additional columns to fill the gap, there should then have been originally approximately 82 on the west side. On the incomplete east wall, there were 34 visible columns starting at the northeast corner, with here and there small gaps that, collectively, might have accommo- dated from 3 to 6 additional ones, for a total of 87 to 40. In the south half of the east wall, where no columns could be seen there presumably once were about 42 to 45 more. It is interesting to note that Tomb A in Mound A-2 consisted of about 38 full-length columns, and the covering of Tomb E of 11, a total of about 49, which figure would nicely account for the missing pieces in the east wall of the Court. MOUND EXCAVATIONS IN AREA A-3 The mound designated A-8 was, before its surface had been cleared, a comparatively inconspicuous elliptical structure with rather ill- defined margins. It measured approximately 32 by 24 m., with the long axis oriented in a north-south direction. At the highest point, it rose some 2 or 3 m. above the nearby ground surface on the west, north, and east. It lay directly on a line between Mound A-2, to the north of the Ceremonial Court, and the summit of the Great Mound, to the south. As already indicated, low linear embankments, desig- nated A-4 and A-5, flanked the mound on the east and west, respec- tively, at a distance of eight or ten meters. Our excavations at Mound A-3 (pl. 12, 6) consisted of a north- south trench 6 m. wide, whose center line coincided with the main north-south axis of the group of structures and features collectively designated as Complex A. This trench extended from the north edge of the mound southward for 27 m.; narrowed to 1.5 m., it was sub- sequently continued another 5 m. southward to the opposite edge of the mound. In depth, the trench varied from 2 m. at the south end to just over 5 m. beneath the highest portion of the mound. Throughout the entire length of our trench, the mound (fig. 21) was underlain by a fine sandy soil, variable in color, but characteris- tically becoming lighter with increasing depth. Overlying this sand was a bed of pink and white sandy clays averaging 15 to 20 cm. in thickness. Though somewhat variable in color and in relative pro- portions of sand and clay, this bed was very well marked throughout some 30 m. of the trench walls. Like similar distinctive and brightly colored zones elsewhere encountered in our diggings, this “tierra [Bull. 153 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 66 2OS004 4 yy AONVS tS \f punoy fo uorjiod ysnoiyy uol}99S—*[Z aun y SOFILIW ee oO CON LNIWIAVS LIIAD AONYS Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 67 bonita” formation was perfectly level at all points where we could check it in our workings in Mound A-3. Above the “tierra bonita” layer was the main core of the mound. This was a massive reddish clay dome a trifle over 30 m. long, extend- ing north and south just beyond the limits of the colored layer and rising at the highest point 2.25 m. above it. Beneath the mound summit, this red clay was overlain by approximately 70 cm. of sandy soil and humus interlaced with roots. At each end of our trench, where the clay core thinned out and finally disappeared, the gray sand and overlying humus reached a thickness of about 2 m., and finally merged with the sands underlying the colored mound base. The clay core was by no means uniform in character. In its central portions, 50 to 75 cm. below its buried upper surface, the reddish clay graded rapidly into a chaotic mass of burnt clay, fire-blackened earth, stones, and an occasional tiny sherd—in short, a rubble of burnt and unburnt materials almost entirely devoid of artifacts or other cultural remains. This formation was most strikingly apparent below the highest portion of the mound, but it could be traced southward over a maximum horizontal extent of 18 to 20 m. In the northern half of the mound profile it was much less distinct. All of the several structural and other features found during our work in this mound were clearly in or on the red clay core. It has been stated that the clay core rested on a level bed of colored sands and clays. What I presume represented a bit of aboriginal engineering in achieving this level base may be remarked here (fig. 21). At a point below, and beginning roughly 2 m. north of, the mound crest, our trench face disclosed a series of three sun-dried bricks, evenly spaced at intervals of 1.5 m. Each brick was yellow in color, measured 10 by 10 by 12.5 cm., and stood upright with its upper end in direct contact with the lower surface of the colored sandy clay bed. To the south, 13.5 m. from the first of these three adobes, was another “nest” of three, of the same size, color, and shape, and all set similarly on end and just touching the colored layer. I am inclined to think that these bricks, all with their upper ends on a level, were part of an aboriginal system of grade stakes, sighted in, with the gray underlying and surrounding sands then leveled off flush with their tops to provide a perfectly flat, level, and uniform foundation for the “tierra bonita” base underlying the red clay mound core. Within the mound proper, the principal feature was a large rec- tangular cist, walled, floored, and roofed with shaped sandstone slabs (pl. 14). The cist lay just north of the highest point of the mound (fig. 21), about 60 cm. below its surface. It was completely sur- rounded, underlain, and covered by the massive red clay and clay 68 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 rubble of which the mound core had been constructed. Directly over the cist, the upper surface of the red clay reached its highest point, suggesting that when the tumulus was raised, its primary purpose was to cover this boxlike structure. The cist, it may be noted, was almost exactly bisected along its shorter axis by the axial line of Complex A on which our trench had been centered. The cist (pl. 14 and fig. 22) measured 5.2 m. from east to west by 1.8 m. north to south, outside dimensions. Rectangular in shape, it was delimited by a large sandstone slab at each end, one large and five small slabs on the north side, and one large and two small slabs on the south side. All of the slabs were carefully shaped and dressed to a rectangular form, and were set on end. The larger ones ranged in width from 1 to 1.3 m.; in length, from 1.7 to 1.9 m.; and in thick- ness from 12 to 18 cm. The smaller ones varied in width from 45 to 75 cm. and in thickness from 10 to 15 cm.; in length, they closely approximated the larger ones with which they had been used. All had been securely planted to a depth of 40 to 60 cm. in the mound fill. The cist floor consisted of nine similarly dressed sandstone slabs, varying considerably in size and proportions (fig. 22). The edges and corners had been painstakingly shaped and carefully fitted to one another so as to form a comparatively smooth even floor. None of the floor slabs equalled in size or weight the four largest pieces used in the walls. The cist was originally covered with five large slabs, of which only the one at each end still remained unbroken. The other three had given way in their middle portions, so that the fragments sagged downward deeply into the cist fill. The depth of the structure from the upper end of the vertical wall slabs to the floor was uniformly very close to 1.2 m. Removal of the cover slabs and fragments disclosed a compact fill of reddish clay, similar to that composing the mound core. In the center of the cist, however, the broken ends of the slabs rested on only about 380 cm. of this material, suggesting that the structure had not been entirely filled in at the time it was roofed over. It may, indeed, have been left unfilled so far as the builders were concerned ; and the material we found between floor and roof slabs could readily have found its way into the cist from the enclosing matrix through the gaps in the walls. If these gaps had ever been closed with wood or other perishable material, there was no evidence of it at the time of our investigations. As we worked downward into the cist fill, traces of a brilliant red coloring matter, apparently cinnabar, began to show up at a level some 20 cm. above the floor. This became increasingly abundant over the central part of the floor area, forming in places an almost 69 LA VENTA, TABASCO Drucker] (‘S¢ ‘d osje 999) "¢-V punoy] ul ‘sjuazu0S YIM ‘(dQ quo) ISId sUOISspueS Jo Uv]g—77Z TUNITY APTS YILIW S | FYOD NEVAISFO DIAVWYINT FIN aes 70 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 pure bed of pigment of a thick, puttylike consistency. Laterally, the stuff occurred in thinning quantities to within 25 cm. of the north and south walls, and could be detected to within 80 cm. of the east end and 1.5 m. of the west end. The bed of cinnabar, roughly elliptical in outline, thus measured approximately 2.25 m. east to west by 1.05 m. north to south. Outside the limits of this elliptical area, the red- clay fill lay directly on the floor of the cist. Scattered about on the cist floor, chiefly at or near the edges, were 37 celts. Twenty-four of these were found as more or less isolated pairs; the others occurred in larger groupings or, in rare instances, singly (fig. 22). Nine were of serpentine, the remainder of light gray jade. None occurred within the zone covered by the cinnabar, although two on the north and a single one on the south barely touched the pigmented area. Also on the floor, 30 cm. from the east end and 50 cm. apart, were two poorly preserved but restorable pottery vessels. That to the north was a small bottle-shaped piece 10 cm. in diameter, with a loop handle. The other was approximately 20 cm. in diameter, with raised annular base and a rim curiously reminiscent of the lip form of the abalone shell (pl. 19, f). Near the west end of the floor, about on the midline of the cist, were the remains of a third pottery vessel, very soft and badly broken. Modeled on one side in bold relief was the face of a jaguar with wide-open mouth and exaggerated canine teeth (pl. 18,6). There were no other pottery artifacts. Perhaps the most interesting finds were made beneath the bed of cinnabar. Slightly more than 1 m. from the east end of the cist and almost exactly on its east-west midline, was found a well-polished jade tube 75 mm. long. West of this some 18 cm., and about 15 cm. apart, lay two finely incised jade ear spools, the broad decorated sur- faces ( pl. 52 and fig. 46, 6) turned upward. With each was a cleverly carved triperforate earbob, also of jade, depicting a conventionalized animal jaw (pl. 57, ¢ and fig. 46, a). Scattered through the heavy masses of cinnabar surrounding these objects were scores of tiny jade beads, pendants, spangles, and other objects. Many of these pieces were less than 1 cm. long and not more than 1 or 2 cm. in transverse diameter, but all had been polished and perforated for attachment to some material, presumably a textile. Several small tubular beads, 2 em. or so long, had been carved into faithful representations of duck heads. Along with these objects were several small bits of worked and bored rock crystal. Approximately 50 cm. west of the paired ear spools, and also on the midline of the cist, lay a small figurine fashioned from serpentine. This, described elsewhere by Drucker as No. 12, was 11.5 em. tall, and had obsidian insets in the eye sockets. Another 15 cm. to the west was Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 71 a spindle-shaped or punchlike object of jade, with broken tip. South of this, 25 cm. distant, was an obsidian core 12.5 cm. long, bearing on its flaked surface the incised outline of a crested eagle with outspread wings (fig. 48). In an irregular curving line 90 em. long and center- ing at the jade punch, was a row of 64 globular jade beads, several of them with fluted sides. At each end of this bead row was a small flattened elliptical jade object apparently representing a turtle cara- pace. All of these objects—jade, serpentine, rock crystal, and obsidian—lay just above the floor slabs, and were completely sur- rounded by cinnabar. As will be apparent upon reference to the accompanying plan of the cist and its contents (fig. 22), the objects in the cinnabar bed lay in such positions relative to each other as to suggest mortuary offerings ona burial. The tube at the east end suggests a hair pipe or similar ornament, and the ear spools and associated objects were about where one would expect to find them on either side of a skull. The serpen- tine figurine might be supposed to have lain on the lower chest, with the beads and other specimens representing a girdle. Despite the most careful examination of this area, however, no trace whatsoever could be detected of bone, of tooth enamel, or of other human remains. There is thus no direct proof that this cist ever actually contained a burial. Seven meters south of the cist, and approximately on a level with its top, was a well-made stone cylinder. This stood upright on the clay mound core (fig. 21; pl. 12, &) directly on the north-south axis of Complex A. The cylinder, Monument 14 (pl. 15, @) measured 38 cm. in diameter by 51 cm. in height; both ends were flattened. Through its center ran a finished circular hole 9 cm. in diameter, plugged at its lower end by a carefully fitted planoconvex stone disk 5 cm. thick. The function of this object is uncertain; it may have been an offertory cylinder. There were no artifacts in or directly associated with it. Between cist and cylinder, three meters north of the latter and on a level with its base, were two serpentine celts. Both were lifted by the workmen before their exact position was noted, but the remaining imprint of the larger showed that it, at least, had been set on end with the blade upward. Both were certainly very close to the axis line for Complex A. Nearby, and on the same level, were scattered frag- ments of what seems to have been a large curiously shaped sandstone vessel or other object. The fragments suggested a circular flat object, perhaps 38 to 45 cm. in diameter, with a large dressed central opening 10 to 15 cm. across. Between the rim and this inferred central open- ing were the remnants of a flange at least 7 cm. high. AJl fragments noted were at least 2 cm. thick, and the workmanship generally was good. The inferred dimensions of this object and its central opening 947310526 72 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 approach those of the ends of the cylinder already described, and one wonders whether there may have been originally some close and direct association functionally between the two objects. Also from the rubblelike mound fill between cist and cylinder came two finds of smaller artifacts that merit notice. One consisted of several small scattered bits of jade, each roughly rectangular in out- line and measuring about 6 by 10 mm. In each case, one surface was flat and well polished; the reverse face was rough and uneven, and bore closely adhering stains of some black substance. In one instance, three or four of these bits of jade were still stuck together, edge to edge, by some unidentified adhesive, with their polished surfaces all in one flat plane. There seems no reason to doubt that they had once formed a part of a jade mosaic; but it is manifestly impossible to say further what its original appearance, size, or function had been. Similarly without any direct associations was an amber pendant unearthed nearby. It was more or less pear-shaped in form, unper- forated, and measured approximately 45 mm. in length by 15 mm. in maximum diameter. Six meters south of the cylinder (Monument 14) and 13.2 m. south of the cist, streaks of cinnabar were encountered by the workmen at a depth of about one meter below the mound surface. These again were very close to the axial line of Complex A. Beneath them was a rather well-defined rectangular area (fig. 23) measuring approximately 30 by 50 cm. in horizontal extent, long axis oriented east and west, and | | | | ! | iEsangeal | | j) BELO OF | | CANWABGAR Lg | Piece cues rte | CLAY oe (_ SSS. es es eS a a eye tal ae oO 20 CM. Ficure 23.—Plan of child’s grave(?), Tomb D, Mound A-3. (See also pl. 15, b.) Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 73 very heavily impregnated with cinnabar. Surrounding this rectangle was a zone about 10 cm. wide wherein the soil was streaked and un- evenly mixed with more cinnabar. The main deposit of cinnabar was 22 to 25 em. thick. At the bottom, 12.5 cm. from the east end and 15 em. apart, lay two undecorated jade ear spools, each 37 mm. in diameter. These, unlike the two in the cist, were simple affairs, consisting of a flat disk with short tubular stem; in one, the stem was a separate piece. Beside each lay a jade earbob fashioned into a replica of a canine tooth and perforated at one end. Nearby lay two tubular jade beads 32 mm. long, and a small concave disk with scalloped edge and one large central and two small marginal perforations. Near the west end of the cinnabar bed was a small subtriangular piece of worked jade. Outside the main cinnabar deposit, in the southeast corner of the streaked border zone, lay a small undecorated clay pot so softened by percolating ground water as to be unsalvageable. It may be roughly described as having had a squat body, 13 cm. in diameter by 7.6 cm. high, surmounted by a short cylindrical neck 37 mm. in diameter and the same in height. Here, as in the cist, the ear spools and nearby objects lay in such positions relative to one another (pl. 15, 6) as to suggest that they were originally affixed to the head and chest of a corpse, this time that of a child; and the feature has been designated, perhaps unjusti- fiably, as Tomb D. Here again, as in the cist, there were not the faintest traces of human bones, teeth, or other remains in the area. One meter south of the “grave” or cache just described, and at the same level, were found four small serpentine figurines, described else- where as Figurines 8, 9, 10, and 11 (see Drucker, infra, p.157). They, too were in the upper portion of the clay mound core; and until the moment of discovery their presence was totally unexpected. Unfor- tunately, these were turned up by the workmen while I was tempo- rarily engaged in another part of the diggings, and during a period when no other professional member of the expedition was on the scene. T am unable to state, therefore, just how they occurred in the ground. At the same time, I am fairly certain that they, like the nearby “grave” noted just above, lay only a few centimeters below the upper surface of the red clay mound core on which had been set the stone cylinder (Monument 14) and the nearby two serpentine celts. All were ori- ented along the axial line running north and south through Complex A. Two other features, whose exact relationship to Mound A-3 is not certain, may be noted at this point. It will be recalled that the upper surface of the red-clay mound core sloped downward at both ends of our trench to intersect finally the prepared base of colored sands. At the south edge of the mound, this intersection point was 18 m. from the cist. Here the gray overlying aeolian sands reached a thickness 74. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 of 1.5 m., and then merged with the lighter colored sands beneath the prepared base. Less than a meter beyond the edge of the colored base sands, approximately 50 cm. below their level, and 1.8 m. below the present ground surface, was found a pavement of serpentine blocks. Generally similar in character to Pavement No. 1 beneath the East Platform of the Ceremonial Court, A-1, it was rather less well-pre- servedl, somewhat cruder and simpler, and it deviated in certain par- ticulars. An unknown number of stones that once formed a part of the pavement on its west edge were missing, but a sufficient part of the structure remained to permit adequate description of what must have been its original appearance (pl. 16 and fig. 24). i AG ee rey eo eae) , FO pease st 8 ei Gee 55 [LJ i OS 2B Be Ly} Hoy SO ete en ae ears Oa eens! Gis IN Go os el ea Ci OE EE =a5 les iT cal peers ©) rom «=O oo DOBE! LLY | een ae it Sebi casnapsiccccme!@ 59 TO oy J Nore rey HU OG ee ites ce) Pr Ty ge 0 SAUGencatine | 5 mies : BE Ee a Ss, EE HE Bice h OC u a 7 =(pq/n)%, in which g is “probable error,” p is “proportion of successes,” q “proportion of failures,” and n ‘number of observations.” 128 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 It is apparent that the two uppermost levels have a greater probable error, which we may interpret here as including the effect of de- structive soil action, as well as error of sampling introduced by meth- odology of collecting, which was as far as possible kept uniform for all levels. ‘The three lower levels, on the other hand, probably repre- sent a nearly true picture of ware distributions. Therefore it seems justifiable to allow for greater error in the two upper levels, dis- counting marked deviations from trends indicated by the materials from Levels 3, 4, and 5. On that basis, it can be seen that there is an evident regularity in the percentage distributions, with suggestions of slight shifts in popu- larity, but no sharp breaks. Coarse Buff ware shows a slight tendency to increase in proportion from bottom to top of the trench (17 to 20 percent), Coarse Brown ware diminishes slightly (37 to 31 percent), and the Fine Paste wares show a moderate increase. The minor wares run along fairly evenly: both Coarse White and Coarse Black tend to dwindle away in the upper layers (disregarding the higher proportion of Coarse Black in Level 1). We may suspect the virtual disappear- ance of Brown Lacquer ware is not a real change, but due to poor preservation conditions in the surface levels. It is the ware that one would expect most likely to be eroded into an unrecognizable mass cf nondescript sherds, because of the softness of its paste and the tendency of the slip to flake off. It is difficult to interpret the fairly consistent trends toward in- creasing or decreasing percentages. I would stress that I believe these to be real, if slight, changes in preference by the pottery makers. TaBLE 9.—The distributions in Stratitrench 3 Level 1! Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Ware _————— i TASES GRAMME] [aC canSaes a= No. |Percent| No. |Percent] No. |Percent| No. |Percent}] No. | Percent Coarse Buff-_-_--.--- 395 33 921 35 924 27 1, 275 26 376 22 Coarse Brown.----- 488 41 1,110 43 1, 687 49 2, 936 59 1, 188 69 Coarse Black_-.___- 60 5 80 3 100 33 190 4 28 2 Goarse*Wihites=2200 |] ==" == | Eseeene= 34 1 69 2 64 1 89 5 Coarse Red-------- 1 (Oy 4 (2) 7 () 7 @)_.||--==eees | ae Brown Lacquer-__- 5 (2) * 31 1 80 2 19 (2) 8 (2) Fine Paste wares-__- 248 16 442 17 580 7 478 10 41 2 Paintedsiwanes ies pes. sea 4 (?) 5 (2) 1 @) ae ee MRotals-e---=— 11977 | See 2620 || nae Onda) |e 40700 pense 130 =. See 1 All levels 30.48 em. in thickness. Level 1=0-30.48 cm., Level 2=30.48-60.96 cm., etc. 2 Indicates presence in amounts less than 1 percent. 3 All sherds with painted decoration included. The general picture of the distribution in this trench is like that of the preceding, one of continuity and regularity of the ceramic pat- tern. The decrease in volume of the uppermost level is due to poorer preservation of the surface materials; however, there was a much Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 129 smaller proportion of unclassifiable material from this cut than in the preceding trenches. Level 5, at the base of the deposit, simply yielded slightly less sherd material in terms of volume.® We may also note the regularity of trends in the ware percentages from the various layers. Coarse Buff and the Fine Paste wares show strong trends toward increase, from the lower to the upper levels, while Coarse Brown as steadily diminishes in relative volume. The minor wares seem to fluctuate a bit, perhaps because in their lower frequencies a larger or smaller amount of unmatchable pieces of two or three broken pots makes more apparent deviation. But even these fluctuations do not greatly disturb the general picture of continuity of the ceramic pattern during the period represented by the deposit that our trench intersected. When the two sets of distribution data are compared, however, a much more complex picture appears. First of all, it should be noted that, despite changes in trends and relative frequencies, the evidence for continuity persists. ‘That is to say, the changes evidenced are not such as would indicate a cultural break equivalent to a change from one to another cultural horizon. The same wares occur in both trenches, and moreover, the same wares appear as major components of the ceramic pattern (i. e., the wares of higher frequency), and the same ones—Coarse White, Coarse Black, Coarse Red, Brown Lacquer, and the rare bits of painted pottery included under the head of “Painted wares” are of low frequency in both stratigraphic sections. Likewise, as will be shown, there are no radical changes in vessel forms. The same vessel shapes appear in both trenches as the common ones (at least insofar as can be determined from the fragmentary material), and there is no indication of introductions of new forms, at least in- volving modifications like handles, supports, etc., that altered the ceramic complex to any great extent. The very infrequent handles and lugs come from both trenches; the heavy ring stands (or “annular supports”) likewise come from most levels of both; true feet or legs (such as are associated with the tripod and tetrapod vessel support patterns of Mesoamerica) are virtually absent from both excavations. The peculiar “pot-rests” are to be noted in all levels of the two trenches. The same applies to types of decoration: rocker stamping (infrequent, but in all levels), punctate design, and the only really abundant form of decoration—that consisting of incised lines circling the vessel mouth—have the same distribution. If we take the use of painted decoration as a design trait (deleting it from the list of sep- arate wares) we get the same result: a very few examples show up 13 The maximum value of 3, from this trench is 4.2 percent (Coarse Brown ware, Level 1). The 3, values run low, being quite similar to those of Levels 3, 4, and 5 of Stratitrench 1. 130 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull, 152 in most levels of both stratigraphic sections. It seems clear then that we are dealing with ceramics all belonging to a single pattern, and so far as one can see, to the same general horizon within that tradition. The differences in relative proportions of the several wares are nonetheless very apparent. In searching for an explanation to ac- count for them, one of the first questions that obtrudes itself is that of time: can the two deposits be regarded as contemporaneous, or does one represent an earlier, one a later phase of the La Venta occupa- tion?** First of all, there is nothing in the nature of the deposits themselves that suggests temporal differences. The poorer preserva- tion of the material from the upper levels of Stratitrench 1 probably can be accounted for as the result of differences of the local soil cli- mates—differences in drainage, forest cover, and the like. The only evidence pro or con contemporaneity of the two deposits must be de- rived from the cultural material contained in them. If we suppose, as a working hypothesis, that two small communities existed during the same time period at the two localities, a short dis- tance apart—not an hour’s leisurely stroll from one to the other—and occupied by Indian families who shared the same cultural traditions, in particular, the same ceramic tradition, it is very difficult to suggest a reason why their inhabitants should have made different amounts of the same wares. If the differences were due to use of special ma- terials, coupled with some such concept as that of individual or village ownership of claypits, the expectable result would be a general simi- larity of local ceramics, with certain ware or wares (those made of the uncommon type of clay) present at one locality and absent, or found in relatively minute amounts only, at the other. Likewise, if some class or caste system prevailed in which the occupants of one locality were priests and chiefs, and those of the other their troops or labor battalions to whom the use of certain finer vessels, among other things, was prohibited, we should expect to find no fragments of the tabued articles at the one locality. The fact, however, that such differences do not occur, and that not only do the same wares (and vessel forms, and figurines as well) occur in both deposits, but that the major wares show the same general trends, makes it seem probable that the localities were not contemporarily occupied, but that one succeeded the other. In both sections, Coarse Buff ware and the Fine Paste wares show a marked increase in relative frequency from lower to upper levels, at the expense of Coarse Brown ware which decreases %The very clear relationship in the total ceramic patterns has been outlined in the preceding paragraphs in stating the case for assigning material from both deposits to a single cultural horizon; I do not mean to deny such unity of pattern and presumed unity of culture horizon by pointing out the possibility of sequence of “phases.” If such temporal divisions can be shown to exist, they would be very minor components of what was essentially a single cultural stratum. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 131 notably from bottom to top in both trenches. The regularity of these trends is one of the strongest arguments for successive rather than contemporaneous occupation. The most reasonable explanation thus appears to be that we are dealing with remains from two successively occupied localities belong- ing to the same cultural horizon. Such minor changes in style and preference as are indicated by the percentage trends in the levels of the two stratitrenches would have in time come to the gross differ- ences represented by the two lots of material. If we assume that the two deposits were successively occupied, the next step is to see what indication there is as to which was the earlier and which the later. On the basis of the sherds alone, this would be very problematical, were it not for the evidence of the nature of the trends of ceramic changes at the related site of Tres Zapotes. There, especially in the Middle Period, it will be recalled, the general over-all pattern of the ceramics was very similar to that at La Venta. Numerous points of striking similarity have been mentioned in the descriptions of La Venta ceramic types. One of the pronounced trends of ware frequencies during the Middle Period at Tres Zapotes (and, it should be noted, one that continued into the Upper Period as well, indicating that it was a consistent developmental process of the ceramic pattern), was the increase in vogue of the Fine Paste wares at the expense of the manufacture of vessels of coarser pastes. Since the Fine Paste wares at the two sites are undoubtedly related components of the local pottery complexes, it follows that a similar trend is to be expected at La Venta. The sherds from both trenches show strong and consistent increases in proportion of Fine Paste wares from the earliest to the uppermost levels of each. It therefore seems logical to suggest a sequential development from Stratitrench 3, in which the Fine Paste wares increase from a low to a moderate abundance to the time of occupation of the deposit cut by Stratitrench 1, where these wares were abundent in the lowest levels and attained an even higher frequency in the upper ones. Concomitant with the conti- nuity from one trench to the other is that of Coarse Brown ware. It decreases, sharply at first, then more moderately, from lower to upper levels of Stratitrench 3, and continues to diminish at a moderate rate during the aggrading of the deposit cut by Stratitrench 1. The general tendency toward relative increase of the Coarse Buff ware would appear to continue from one trench to the other with such a sequence, although the absolute difference of the percentages is rather great (33 percent in the Level 1 of Stratitrench 3, 17 percent in the Level 5 of Stratitrench 1). It seems possible that an unconformity exists between our two sections as they now stand. It need not have been of particularly great duration, of course. 132 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 In conclusion, examination of the ware frequencies from the two stratigraphic trenches suggests that the two deposits contain the ceramic products of a single cultural horizon, since the same wares, vessel shapes, and decorative techniques persisted through the total period represented by the two deposits. It also seems probable that of the two, Stratitrench 3 sections a site occupied early in the period, while the locale cut by Stratitrench 1 was lived on by the bearers of the same tradition a bit later in the era. The broad similarity of the materials from the two trenches is the more striking, indicating a fundamental continuity of tradition within a single culture horizon. POTTERY FIGURINES TAXONOMY La Venta pottery figurines belong to the same tradition of hand- made clay figures as those of the premold eras of Tres Zapotes, and presumably of most of the intervening region. This tradition ap- pears to be linked, on the basis of technology and style, with those of early Mayan horizons on the one hand—early Uaxactun and Mira- flores, specifically, and in the other direction to a figurine pattern of the Huasteca. However Olmec figurines in all their varieties have enough distinctive features so that they can be recognized readily as a group apart, within this wider pattern. From the Tres Zapotes ceramic sequence we have certain trends in their local development and variation. In the Lower period these figurines were quite rigidly standardized and limited to but few variations (indicating that they already had passed through a developmental phase), and in Middle Tres Zapotes appears much more variation, with new varieties, and hybridizations of the several types, as though the makers were de- liberately toying with the existing forms. Yet even here there are cleancut types, and hybrids whose parent forms are easily recognized. (In Upper Tres Zapotes these objects were superseded, of course, by the apparently imported complex of mold-made figurines which not only differed in technique but in subject matter as well.) The figurines from La Venta fit very neatly into the Middle Tres Zapotes group. Not only is one numerically important at La Venta the same as one characteristic of Middle Tres Zapotes, and a less common type similarly occurs at both sites, but the general trend of all La Venta figurines shows the same kind of deviation from and modification of ancestral forms that characterize Middle Tres Zapotes. Before describing the La Venta figurine types in detail, it will be necessary to present a revision of the original classification of hand- made figurines from the region. Such an overhauling is essential not because of lack of validity of the types defined, but rather because of Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 133 certain sins against systematic taxonomy that I committed that make it awkward to add new types as they are discovered, and difficult to show relationships and derivations. In describing the Tres Zapotes materials, the hand-made figurines were put into two major groups, designated by Roman numerals I and II, each of which was further divided into subgroups, or “types” indicated by letters A, B, and C under Group I, and, illogically, D, E,and F underGroup II. “Types” J-A and I-C are closely allied both typologically and stratigraphi- cally; the difference between them is of a different order from that between either of them and “Type” I-B. The members of the second group differ considerably in point of distinctiveness; one type, II-F, being more closely related to the I group than to either II-D or II-E. This framework obviously does not allow for much expansion. When, at Cerro de las Mesas, a few typologically related forms appeared— although the bulk of the figurines were non-Olmec, like most of the ceramics—they were lumped together under a single head (1), to set them off from the rest of the Mixtequilla material, and new types were given additional letter designators. Thus, Cerro de las Mesas Figurine Style I telescopes Tres Zapotes Groups I and II, and adds a few letters. This modified classification is more elastic as regards addition of new types, although it is conceivable that we might in time run out of letters, but it cannot be made to show relationship of types easily. If consecutively lettered types should be stylistically and/or genetically akin, it would be pure coincidence, and likely we would end up deriving a (hypothetical) “Type K” directly from Type B, or Q, a sort of step that could easily confuse the person work- ing with the material and almost certainly would befuddle the weary reader. On this account I have attempted to work out a more logical and at the same time a more flexible system of categories for Tres Zapotes-La Venta hand-made figurines and their nearest relatives. It must be noted that this classification covers only hand-made (not mold-made) figurines, and furthermore, covers only the southern Veracruz-western Tabasco region. I believe, however, that with but little revision it could be extended to cover hand-made figurines from adjacent regions also, although at present it includes only types found at Olmec sites. First of all, there are three (rather than two) basic groups, which we may designate “Styles” within the body of material: Style I, in which the features are indicated by (multiple) punctate impressions and applique; Style IT, in which narrow slits rather than punctations are used, again supplemented with applique elements, although some- what less elaborately; and Style III, in which features are shown entirely or principally by means of modeled relief, or sculpturing. 134 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 Both Style I and Style II types are typically made of coarse heavily tempered, poorly fired, reddish-brown to buff clays, are soft and friable, and consequently erode badly. Style III figurines often, though not invariably, are made of finer, more compact pastes, often resembling the material of the Fine Paste wares. In addition to these basic Styles, combined designators, such as I/II, I/III, etc., can be used to indicate hybridizations, depending on which Styles are in- volved in the cross. Within Style I, characterized by use of punctations and applique elements to indicate features, are a series of classes. At present three such classes can be distinguished as consistent strains, but more can be added as new forms appear from sites still unexplored. The first Class, I-A, is the “Classic” form of figurine of the region, so-called because of its very rigid stylization, and also out of deference to the fact that it is represented to the exclusion of all but one other Class in the ash-sealed Early Tres Zapotes section, and must be quite early (Drucker, 1948 a, pl. 35). The distinctive features are: large rather rectangular face, usually giving the effect of heavy jowls and marked prognathism, although occasional pieces have slightly pointed chins; eyes represented by semicircular stamped arcs with central punc- tation, nostrils and corners of mouth marked by circular punctations, ears may or may not be indicated, but ear spools invariably are shown. The bodies associated with these heads are often rather graceful, with constricted waists (not always slender, however), and wide hips. Some very obviously indicate pregnancy. Arms and legs are im- pressionistically sketched. Legs of standing figures often taper rapidly from a plump rounded thigh, producing a silhouette rem- iniscent of that of a drumstick & la Maryland. Feet and hands are sketchily done, with incisions to mark off fingers and toes. These figurines all represent females. Breasts and sexual parts are sup- pressed. The navel is almost invariably indicated by a large round punctation. Clothing is usually sketchily shown by bits of applique. The types within this Classic group consist, so far, of the following: J-A-I, as in the preceding, distinguished by a more or less elaborate turban, (this type was designated I-A in the description of Tres Zapotes materials) (pl. 23). I-A-2, as before, but with striated pats of clay indicating hair rather than a turban, (corresponding to the type called I-C in the Tres Zapotes account). J-A-3, modified variants of the above types (chiefly I-A-1) that preserve most of the distinctive I-A features. In other words, these are transitional forms from which the I-B forms came directly. In some cases the sole difference is lack of punctations at the mouth; in Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 5 others, all the heavy punctations are present but facial proportions are altered. (PI. 26.) This type is abundant in Middle Tres Zapotes. A second Class within Style I is distinguished by modifications in the direction of realism. The same techniques—punctation and use of applique elements—serve to indicate the features, but the heavy square facial proportions are softened and altered, and there is a defter touch in the use of the punctate elements: eyes and nostrils are more shallowly punched and in better proportion to the face, instead of being great staring holes as in the I-A forms. The punctations at the corners of the mouth are often suppressed. Bodies are much the same as those of the I-A types in treatment, but tend to be slimmer and more graceful in their proportions. Ornaments and clothing vary from scant in female figurines to quite elaborate in those representing males, and are invariably represented by applique. For the most part these Realistically Modified (I-B) figurines seem to derive from I-A types, through relaxing of the rigid stands of the I-A pattern. There may be other lines of influence represented, also, for the proportions of one type of head in this group (I-B-3) are reminiscent of those of early figurines from the Petén. In terms of chronology, these I-B types are all somewhat later in the Olmec region so far as present evi- dence goes, than the I-A types. The I-B types that occur at Tres Zapotes are consistently from the Middle Period. I-B-1, male figures, often or usually (%) bearded, with elaborate headdress or turban, necklaces, capes, decorated belts and kilts (all indicated by applique strips of clay) ; features as above, facial propor- tions somewhat slimmer and finer than I-A types; quite often a socket remains in the middle of the back indicating the attachment of a whistle (see pl. 31; and Drucker, 1948 a, pls. 27, J, 44, 0). J-B-2, aged figures, with pronounced wrinkles and sunken cheeks; otherwise features as described for class in general, (the forerunners of this type may occur in Lower Tres Zapotes, but the maximum elaboration is found in the Middle Period) (pl. 28, 7). I-B-3, a type characterized by a wide face with rounded—to—pointed chin; bareheaded examples are slightly more common than turbanned ones. By separating the two varieties into subtypes on the basis of presence or absence of turbans (I-B-3a, turbanned, I-B-3b, bare- headed), their relationship to the I-A types is more clearly seen. The technique by which hair is represented, either a thin layer or several applique pats of clay with heavily incised lines, is identical in the T-A-2 and the I-B-8b forms; and in addition, many of the latter show a prominent forelock like those of the Classic group. The specimens with turbans have these articles indicated in the same fashion: Two or more strips of clay stuck on to suggest a diagonal wrap-around 947310—52——_10 136 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 effect, pulled well down in back. The chief difference is that the T-B-3a pieces consistently have low close-fitting turbans, which ac- centuate the broad facial proportions. (This I-B-3 type corresponds in the main with that designated I-F in the description of Tres Zapotes materials, except that I erroneously included certain hybrid forms with slit rather than punctate features—the present Style II—with the Style I pieces) (pls. 26, 27). I-B-4, a form characterized by a strongly convex profile; the facial, proportions in front view are similar to those of I-A types, but because of the convexity of the profile, the chin usually recedes and is less mas- sive than that of Classic types. The nose is prominent. High tur- bans, similar in proportions to those of type I-A-1, are usual, although more elaborate headgear occurs on some specimens. Eyes and other features are treated as described for Class I-B in general. This is the first of the present list of types which is rare in the Tres Zapotes col- lections, and has not been found there in a stratigraphic section. (PI. 28.) Class I-C figurines are those of grotesque types. Although at first glance they appear to be mismade aberrants, they run so consistently te certain clean-cut types that it is evident they were deliberately fashioned according to definite patterns. Features are indicated by Style I methods—with heavy punctations and applique elements. Bodies, like the heads, are misshapen: some are stubby rectangles, with wide rectangular crotch, while others are rounded, but with very exaggerated wide hips, protruding bellies, and arms and legs sup- pressed to small stubby tips. These bodies are usually abundantly ornamented with bits of applique to suggest necklaces, belts, etc. I-C-1 is the most common type of this Grotesque class at Tres Zapotes, and is reflected in modified form at La Venta. The heads are strongly tapered toward the chin in outline, have an enormous nose, and the heavily marked eyes are set low on the face. Headdresses consist of elaborate tall turbans, with profuse applique elements. Sometimes chin straps are indicated by strips of clay which run over the chin. Bodies are as described for the class in general. This type was distinguished as “I-B” in my discussion of the Tres Zapotes mate- rial. It makes its appearance in Middle Tres Zapotes, and was fairly abundant all through that pericd. (Pls. 41 left, a; 30, a. See also Drucker, 1943 a, pls. 26, b; 28, 0; 29, d.) Additional types of the Grotesque class would include the Cerro de las Mesas types “I-G” and “I-H”. For the present I only mention their occurrence to illustrate the way this classification can be ex- tended, for the types from Cerro de las Mesas are not represented at La Venta, nor have they direct bearing on the La Venta material. Style IT figurines are, so far, represented by a single class and type, Ii-A-1, which was the basis of the type referred to as “II-D” at Tres Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 13d Zapotes. The heads are proportionately long and narrow, and quite thin. The nose is a large triangular piece of clay with “cut” sur- faces. The mouth is not typically formed from an attached pellet, but marked by a horizontal slit; eyes are horizontal or slightly slanted slits. Ears are cursorily indicated by nocks or slits, and ear ornaments are not shown. This type occurs in both pure and hybridized forms at Tres Zapotes and also at non-Olmec Cerro de las Mesas; it has not been observed at La Venta, but there is abundant evidence of its influ- ence on forms from this last-named site, especially on I-B-3 and I-B-4 types. At Tres Zapotes, this type and its derivatives appear suddenly on the Middle Period horizon. Weiant (1948, pp. 92-93) has com- pared it to certain Morelos figurines, and implies a belief in a deriva- tion from the Highland. To me, there is a closer similarity in treat- ment and style to a Huastecan type that Ekholm (1944, p. 486) has designated the “Cut—Featured type,” referable to Period II. If the type turns up in central Veracruz, when intensive work is done there, it would go a long way toward defining the connections between Olmec and Huastecan cultures. (PI. 25, a-c.) Hybrid forms derived from a blending of the basic styles can be designated by combining the keys for the types involved giving prece- dence to the one which appears to dominate. For example, a figurine head which appears to be essentially a II-A-1 form, modified by the addition of central punctations to indicate the eyes, would be classed as II-A-1/I; a I-B-3a figurine with slit rather than punctate eyes would be I-B-3a/II. Many hybrid forms have eyes made by super- imposing two horizontal slits—a rather obvious transition between the Style I curved stamped line with round punctation, and the flat horizontal lines of Style II. At present it does not seem necessary to define more precise categories for each of the numerous possible or observed combinations resulting from hybridization. Style III, the modeled hand-made figurines, can at present be sorted into two principal classes. The first and also the more sharply de- fined of these comprises the so-called “baby-face” types. The second class is a provisional one, which may or may not need to be divided and more precisely defined as more specimens become available. The chief characteristic of all Style III figurines is of course the modeling technique by which features are represented in relief without resort to such artificialities as punctations or incisions. In the construction of the figurines one occasionally sees evidence of the applique tech- nique, but pieces of clay added in this way are firmly welded down, and evened off so that they do not produce the patchy appearance common to specimens of Styles I and II. The more skillful treat- ment is enhanced by the use of finer, better clay for most of these pieces. Class III-A types, that is, those often referred to as “baby-face” forms, are too well known to require much detailed description. As 138 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 their name indicates, they appear to represent infants, and are ordi- narily quite consistently infantile in facial and bodily proportions. The facial outline tends to be of a long rectangular form reminiscent of that typical of I-A types. Facial planes and features are delicately modeled in accurate relief. Arms and legs are usually short and chubby, sometimes exaggeratedly so, but usually have well-modeled hands and feet, with proper numbers of fingers and toes. The antiq- uity of this class is demonstrated by the occurrence in the Lower Tres Zapotes material of a fragment of a small Coarse Black ware bowl with a face unmistakably in this tradition modeled on the side in low relief. III-A figurines continued to be made throughout the Middle Tres Zapotes period, where they attained considerable heights in realism and artistry. Hybrid forms (principally crosses with Style I) occur during the Middle Period. Subdivision of III-A specimens into types is something of a problem, for the most obvious sorting, based on available pieces, is on a basis that differs from those used in typing other classes. I propose, at the risk of inconsistency, the following types: III-A-1. Small solid figurines of the “baby-face” class. (PI. 30, c.) III-A-2. Large hollow figurines of this class. (Pl. 41, right, e.) III-A-3. Effigy vessels characterized by the distinctive features of this class. The class III-B, as remarked, is a catch-all, and as such, provisional. It is possible that there will always be a small proportion of specimens made in the Style III technique, but of which no two are alike—they may be actual portraits, or the results of some virtuoso’s experimen- tation. (PI. 48.) Hybrid pieces, distinguished as a rule by use of punctations at eyes, nostrils, and mouth (any or all of these points) can be designated III-A-1/I, etc., depending to which type the basic features of the figurine belong. Animal figurines.—F igurines representing animals are much harder to classify, and for the present no detailed system will be set up for them. The chief trouble appears to be that the subject matter is so varied that without a very large series one cannot differentiate between differences deriving from the artists’ efforts to emphasize the distinctive features of a particular species, and differences resulting from conventionalization. In general, most or all of the La Venta animal figurines show a relationship to the artistic tradition producing the Style I human figurines, for basic forms are supplemented by use of punctations and applique, and the same coarse poorly fired paste as used for Style I human figurines is the material of which the pieces were made. Perhaps eventually it will be possible to work out a more exact classification for the animal figurines. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 139 The creatures represented in the collections, so far as they can be recognized, are: jaguars—one with human body and dress—(pl. 41, right, a), one a strongly modeled fragment of a small vessel—perhaps to be regarded as showing Style III influence—(pl. 42, left, c) ; crested birds (currasow?) (pl. 37, g); and coatimundi (pl. 37, m). Several of these pieces were originally whistles. LA VENTA FIGURINE COLLECTIONS Among the 117 reasonably complete figurine heads from La Venta including specimens from the test and stratigraphic trenches, there are to be found most of the types mentioned in the classificatory list, and in addition a number of varieties of hybrids not specifically described, although their ancestry is obvious enough on examination of the par- ticular features. However, despite this variation, certain types pre- dominate, in pure or mixed strains. For example, 52 of the 117 speci- mens belong to one or the other of the I-B-3 forms, or mixed types such as [-B-3/IT; 30 are I-B-4 or hybridized varieties thereof (I-B-4/11, I-B4/III, I-B-4/1, etc.) ; 17 are of I-A-3 type, slightly modified examples of the Classic types represented by the Lower Tres Zapotes material; and 9 are III-A (baby-face) types. The remaining pieces are for the most part aberrant specimens that fit nowhere into the classification, although there are some, like one modified I-C-1 piece (pl. 33, left, a), that fit the general pattern. The unclassifiable or aberrant pieces include the following: a small skull with punctate features (indicating relationship to Style I) (pl. 42, Zeft, 6) ; another skull, seemingly that of a monkey to judge by the extreme prog- nathism, very strongly modeled (pl. 48, 6); the head, that must be a portrait of a small boy, modeled but with punctate accents, that is, a III-B/I form (pl. 48, a) ; the boldly modeled face on the object pre- sumed to be a vessel support (pl. 21, a), and the strange, unfortunately badly damaged fragment that suggests to me, in a vague indefinable way, the stone “masks” of Teotihuacan, perhaps because of its in- verted triangular outline (pl. 42, f). Even the aberrant pieces con- form to the pattern of the more common types in a general sense, how- ever, and aid in placing the La Venta figurine complex in relation to established sequences. Both typical and unusual figurines show con- siderable variation from the Classic hand-made types from which they appear to have derived; and on the other hand not one single example of a mold-made figurine was found. The nearest established ceramic column, that of Tres Zapotes, includes one phase in which a similar pattern occurs, the Middle Period. Closer examination bears out the impression of correspondence of general features. That is to say, the most abundant La Venta types, I-B-3 and its derivatives, occurs also 140 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 in Middle Tres Zapotes, as do the modified “Classic” types (I-A-3). A very typical Middle Tres Zapotes type, the I-C-1 Grotesque, is repre- sented by a few modified La Venta specimens. Although the appar- ently alien II-A-1 type, which was introduced and became abundant in Middle Tres Zapotes, is not represented in the La Venta collections, its influence on local figurine styles is very plain in the strong trend toward use of slits rather than round punctations to represent features that characterize a number of hybrid types. Finally, the I-B-4 fig- urines, which seem to be a La Venta specialization, fit consistently into the Middle Tres Zapotes trend, in which hand-made figurines continued to be manufactured by early (Lower Period) techniques, but with continuously greater freedom from the rigid standards prevailing in the Lower Period.” All in all, the placing of the La Venta figurine complex is clear and convincing: the proliferation of the standardized early types of hand- made figurines, the absence of mold-made specimens, and the cross ties established by specific figurine types found at La Venta and in Middle Tres Zapotes, establishes the La Venta complex as intimately allied stylistically, and therefore probably undoubtedly contemporary, with Middle Tree Zapotes. The vertical distributions of the figurine types from the strati- graphic trenches are given below. They show a consistent overlap- ping in the two excavations, pointing to a basic uniformity of pattern. In this regard they corroborate the picture given by ware distribu- tions: The La Venta deposits give every indication of representing a single phase or horizon within which some development and modifica- tion of basic patterns occurred, but with no major changes—innova- tions, disappearance of common features, or anything of the sort that could be interpreted as reflecting new cultural contacts or local inven- tions altering the basic patterns enough to warrant setting of a new horizon. Asa matter of fact, probably because of the relatively small number of the figurine heads, the distributions do not even show the cumulative effect of local development such as is indicated by the regular trends of the ware percentages. In short, it would be impos- sible to define one trench as representing a cross section of an earlier, and one of a later part of the La Venta-Middle Tres Zapotes period occupation on the basis of figurine distributions in the stratitrenches. % As has been mentioned, a few I-B-4 figurines occur in the Tres Zapotes collections (one has been figured by Welant, 1943, pl. 26, fig. 5), but unfortunately none was found stratigraphically. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 141 TaBLE 10.—Figurine distributions, Stratitrench 1 (See plates 34-39) Figurine type! Level1 | Level2 | Level3 | Level4 | Level5 Heads LEAS) Sse oe ee | Recs Sel | Une See 2 1G?) |e eee ee ee se ee a 2 S| ek ee Te | ee eee 2 2B a3 ae eee ee Sh TA i oe A eet 0 ee ee |e ees 3 2 DD Bye oe OS ON Ce See 1 8 Ee ee ee er (ev 1 1 252) 1 RES = / TL erent Cae ES Be dee So aE ee a Sc ad 1 TES SPV 0 COR a ee Oe Se ee 0 eo os ee 3 1 2 165155) oy ee ee ee ee es (eee SY eee 3 i eee ae 1 ESBS 4 | [ileememe nena es Rete ose ee One ee Ae en Sel ee ee ase oe. 2 TAN a ee ee Pe ees ee ee op ies eee eee if}y| Evie eee DT PN ao bee | pe ra | A A ae eal |e ee 2 Bodies: aS = ear noe Lean aan coon e Soak aoe eee ec aoe Wie. scl leee 2 Atop I= Bees we ae FAS ee SS ee 10 10 18 28 14 OG iste Ss 5a, — Se ee ae es ey eae oereees ee eee 2 1 Misc. fragments of hand-made figurines_____________- 6 12 27 44 36 Bird-anlmalficunines sass oes seee ene eee eee ee 1 1 2 5 3 1 List of types includes only those represented from the tench; other types are absent. 2 Plus one doubtful fragmentary specimen, probably of this type, or I-B-4/II. 3 Includes arm and leg framents definitely identifiable as pertaining to this class also. TaBLeE 11.—Figurine distributions, Stratitrench 3 (See plates 40-41) Figurine type ! Levell | Level2 | Level3 | Level4 | Level5 Heads SIA SS a oe Bc we aes ring te ek ve 2D epee eer eeee 24 2 33 il) fesse Sees USN BD a a Si a i es ee eR | oe We eee ee eaten oe ee | eee RIB 3 ae ie sane wee oe terete aes 4 eee 1 ees 7 ee eel [ee ee Ves) 8) 6s Se aan et toa Sol beer 1 2 Go| Fats Saaz s2lseeeacoree BO ee ee ee eee eee oe ee eee ae 1 2g |e | Se ee Ae eee JS AY AD aa Se pag pe CF ia li ul al aot eas Kegel — Speer el (bee ee ae | ee Me ata rile Die ae 1 eae B-Ball ee ease ead oe ee hel) ts eS og gS eer pe) ey | aes Jibs oy Us ee ae at es eal ge aetna Re et a ee eee 1 | Ee See TB 4 Ea as a Fe os Me So eee cc chet 2 2 | Sa ies PES aad ae eee EO eee See ee ne eee nanan a ea ome Deeeren an | See tonn cee cl et eh epee i er 18 Ne See ee Se ee ee eee Pulbcceet otoa eo sdes cot eee ee DTT Ate ee eer enna eee ee ee eee rae eons e eos eeean coupes e eer nee 5 (eee S130 0 [oe ee me a er eee eee eee |e eee ee 1 een aoe oe eee Bodies: 2) 3)5) | Sn ee ee a ane | as ae Le ee SAG OT Beets tn ae re en ee eee eee 3 9 6 Oe Aaa SUA A Oe se Nn oa 1 eae en een sae 1(?) Misc. fragments of hand-made figurines.__.._--__.-.. 17 23 21 22 6 IBird-animal figurines] sa eee nan eee |e ae 6 1 se ee 1 List of types includes only those represented from the trench; other types are absent. 1 Includes 2 doubtful (badly eroded) specimens. 3 Includes one aberrant form. 4 Modified version of Tres Zapotes I-C-1. 5 Includes one specimen of serpentine. 6 Includes arm and leg fragments definitely identifiable as to type also. MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS OF POTTERY Among the miscellaneous pottery objects in the collections are a number of types modeled for some special purpose, and also certain types consisting of reworked sherds. The modeled objects consist of the following: cylindrical stamps, weights, ear spools, flares, and problematical objects. The category of reworked sherds includes: large and small sherds, disks, weights, and “saws.” Cylindrical stamps.—One complete cylindrical stamp was found in a test pit, and a fragment of one came from the 24-36-inch level 142 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 of Stratitrench 3 (pl. 42, left, a; the “unrolled” designs appear in fig. 43). The patterns are characterized by the heavy carving and simple not to say crude designs. It is possible that the objects were beads rather than “stamps.” Much more elaborate specimens were found at Tres Zapotes (Weiant, 1943, pl. 63) ; they appear to relate to both Middle and Upper Periods at that site (Drucker, 1948 a, pp. 88, 93). No flat seals (recognizable as such, at least) were found at La Venta. eee (a) ° 4 2 6 OMS. % Ficure 43.—a, Design and cross section of cylindrical “seal” fragment, Stratitrench 3, Level 2. b, Pottery flare (?) fragment, Stratitrench 3, Level 1. Weights-—A number of small objects, varying from lozenge-shaped to biconical in outline and more or less circular in cross section, with encircling grooves about the long and the short axes, were collected (pl. 42, left, h-k). They range in length from 3.4 to 6 cm. It seems rather obvious that they were made with some purpose involving suspension in mind, but whether they were intended for fishing gear or to weight hanks of fibers on a loom is impossible to decide. Objects of identical type were found at Tres Zapotes (Weiant, 1943, pl. 65). The nearly spherical clay objects with single encircling grooves found at Tres Zapotes (Drucker, 1943 a, pl. 43 f, g, et passim) were not found at La Venta. Earplugs (%?).—One flattish cylindrical object, made of a well- fired finely divided paste, with thin walls and very thin flanges at either end, was found in one of the test trenches (pl. 42, left, d). It appears to be one of the objects for which use as ear ornaments has been suggested, although its flanges are a trifle wider, and more fragile in appearance at least, than most of the clay “earplugs.” With its wide flanges, forcing it into the perforated lobe of an ear like a collar but- ton into the neck band of a shirt must have been an unpleasant proc- ess. The distribution of objects of this general form has been traced by Kidder, Jennings, and Shook (1946). From another trench came a short solid object deviating from a cylindrical form through the slight concavity of its sides. This might have been an earplug of different type, or it may have had some other use. Flares.—A fragment from Stratitrench, 3, Level 1, suggests in its form that it may have originally been a flare of some sort, perhaps like the finer objects of jade and other precious materials from Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 143 Kaminaljuyu (pl. 21, ¢). The specimen is apparently broken out of an original circular form, which had a flat face and increased in thickness on the back from rim to center. There is no indication as to whether it had a hollow cylindrical stem or not. The face was heavily channeled into a ring of keystone-shaped segments; the two segments of the present fragment each contain three deep punctations made while the clay was still soft. If the object’s outline was a regular circle, its diameter must have been in the neighborhood of 7.2 cm. The possibility that it might have been a flat stamp should not be overlooked. Problematical objects —A curving fragment of Coarse Brown ware, with an incised arc that may have been part of a circular border, and six irregularly spaced perforations made with an implement with flattened elliptical cross section, was found in Stratitrench 1 (pl. 21,h). Itis impossible to determine whether it is a piece of a figurine, a toy, or a rattle. There is no evidence that the pottery sieves for washing the lye-soaked maize were manufactured or used at La Venta. Another problematical object has a cylindrical stem that tapers to a wide flat blade with a rounded nock at the center of the outer edge; the outline suggests a badly nicked broadax. It is made of the same paste as that used for Coarse Buff ware, but was not as well-fired as most vessels of that ware. The object was plainly originally made in its present form; it is not a reworked object. The shape and finish of both sides is the same. The base of the cylindrical stem is the only part that shows signs of reworking, as though originally the stem was longer. A use for this object is very difficult to suggest. Its outline is reminiscent of certain design elements and ornaments carved on some of the stone monuments. (PI. 42, left, g.) Reworked sherds: large and small disks —In nearly every level of the stratigraphic trenches there were a few sherds that had been more or less carefully trimmed to a rounded or elliptical form. Sizes of the finished disks vary considerably, but most of them fall into one or the other of two classes: small, often rather irregular disks under 5 cm. in diameter, and “large” disks averaging about 10 cm. in diameter. There is no indication that any particular ware was preferred. All local wares were used, those of the most common wares being most abundant, as is expectable if the maker picked up the first sherd of proper size he came across. A few incomplete pieces indicate the steps in the procedure of manufacture. The outline of the desired size was incised on the sherd, and then the sherd was bat- tered off roughly to the edge of the line. The next step was to grind the edge down all the way around to an even convex profile. (PI. 42, right.) If any of the “potsherd spindle whorls,” so common at Mesoameri- can sites, had been found at La Venta, we should probably be justified 144 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 in suggesting that at least part of the disks were blanks for such whorls in process of manufacture. Since all varieties of spindle whorls are absent from the La Venta collections, the only uses one can suggest would be such things as covers, gaming pieces or counters, and the like. Weights.—In addition to the purposely made “weights” which have already been described, there were large numbers of sherds with rounded notches that suggest their reuse for suspension, possibly as net. weights, or something of the sort. These notched sherds are quite varied, ranging from sherds which were unworked except for the notches which were well rounded off so they would not cut the line or whatever they were meant to be tied to, to sherds trimmed to a very regular rectangular or elliptical outline prior to notching (pl. 45). Those of elliptical forms are more common than the untrimmed and the rectangular outlines. No significant differences appeared from one level to another in regard to these differences of shape. As between the two trenches, Stratitrench 3 produced a great many more of these objects than did Stratitrench 1. (PI. 45.) “Saws.”—From most of the levels came a few sherds that had been trimmed to at least one straight edge (or were chosen because they had broken with one or more fairly straight even edge), which had been ground down heavily to bilateral bevels. The wear suggested use assaws. No such pieces were noted among the Fine Paste sherds; coarse gritty pastes seem to have been used exclusively. ‘These sherds, especially if we assume that their original hardness was somewhat greater than it is after the centuries of erosion and leaching in the ground, were probably fairly efficient saws for materials like wood, bone, and the like, and perhaps harder ones if the user’s patience lasted. They did not have to be sharp, for they provided their own cutting dust—the gritty aplastic particles in the paste. UTILITARIAN WORK IN STONE The La Venta excavations yielded but small amounts of non- ceramic utilitarian objects. There were enough fragments, however, of such things as metates, manos, flake knives, and other articles of daily use to enable us to define a few of the common implement types. Metates—No complete specimens were found. On the basis of several large fragments, it appears that the typical metate was leg- less, with a fairly flat base, and in outline a blunt-ended ellipse, or rectangular with strongly rounded off corners. The grinding surface curves from end to end, the curvature becoming pronounced at the ends, but is flat laterally, indicating that the manos were invariably longer than the metates were wide, like modern Mexican sets. This is an important point of difference between the La Venta pieces and Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 145 the legless ones from lowland Maya sites (Kidder, 1947, pp. 33 ff.) which have rimmed sides. TANS 178 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 Monument 6, the Stone Coffer found just south of the Tomb in Mound A-2, has at its north end a carving in low relief representing the face of a monstrous jaguar, modified to the rectangular form of the end of the coffer (pl. 2, /eft). The eyes are indicated by two long narrow rectangles with rounded corners which slope downward slightly toward the center. The jutting brows above them each have three angular projections along their upper side, becoming thus the typical “branched eyebrows” of the art style. Above them, sweeping back over the frontal regions, are curving appendages, probably plumes. In the center of the forehead is a deep notch, in this case formed by a drilled pit with rounded-off edges. This feature, reminiscent of the notched heads of the ax figures described by Saville (Saville, 1929), is probably a realistic device to indicate the shallow V-shaped depression formed by the heavy nearly converging supraorbital ridges of the jaguar. The nose is low and broad, and directly over the upper edge of the mouth. A broad flat band, essentially a rectangle with a projection cn its upper side, represents the latter feature. Fangs are indicated by an S-shaped device on either side. It is probable that the lower (distal) ends of the fangs were forked, originally, but the carving is too eroded to permit certainty on this point. There appears to be a long nose ornament hanging over the mouth. A forked tongue pro- trudes from the mouth and hangs below the lower lip. Under the eyes are the remnants of some rather obscure decorative elements that may be extensions of the decoration of the sides. Horizontal ribbonlike bands run from the sides around the corners of the box and under the mouth, as though to tie the mask on. On either side of the box ribbonlike bands continue back at the level of the eyebrows, branching off at five places into a two-lobed ornament that suggests the Jaguar’s forked tongue, or a motif derived from the animal’s nose and mouth (fig. 60, s; pl. 2, Zeft). On the east side, the better preserved, can be traced the remnants of a forepaw with three long claws and a bracelet, and farther back a pair of strongly curved lines that probably defined the hindquarters. Of the four small statues which were reported as having been re- moved from La Venta, one, Monument 8, is in the Plaza de Armas of Villahermosa (pl. 59, deft). It represents a seated human figure, lean- ing forward, his hands grasping his crossed legs. He wears a head- dress with the tip folded over frontwards, perhaps a version of that of the principal figure of Altar 5. The face is broad and heavy. The wide flat nose is directly above the everted lips. The eyes are of a peculiar form, circular on their inner sides, rectangular on the outer. The ears are narrow angular ridges along the head. The body is very simply formed. Another of the transported figures (Monument 9) has been built into a display case in the school at Comalealco, where it was brought Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 179 from La Venta via San Vicente (pl. 60, Zeft). It also portrays a man seated cross-legged, but with his hands at his sides, resting loosely on the ground, instead of grasping his knees. The face is badly eroded, so little can be said of the features. The general proportions of the head and face seem fairly typical, the face being of equal width down to the angle of the jaws. Two other figures were found at the ruins of Finca San Vicente (pls. 60, right, and 61). (There was a third, Stirling informs me, but it is smashed beyond hope of salvage.) Monument 10 is a small seated per- sonage, shown in the posture of the statue in the Plaza de Armas, cross-legged, his hands on his lower legs. He wears a thick head band, and his head is low and rounded. The features are eroded, but the wide nose and thick upper lip can still be distinguished. He appears to have worn a rather genial expression. A design, possibly a glyph, was incised on his belly. With him is, Monument 11, a seated figure of about the same size. The battered body is that of an animal, prob- ably the Jaguar-monster. The right hind leg is doubled back in man- like, not animallike, posture, so claws and pads point upward. A wide tail that branches symmetrically into four square-ended plumes is carved in relief on the back. The head, sharply tilted back, is a sort of keystone shape, wider across the top. Strong ridges run across above the eyes, apparently representing brow ridges. Above them, in low relief, are brows with three blunt plumes. Apparently a wide mouth opened directly below the broad stumpy nose, and fangs (and perhaps tongue?) protruded from the upper jaw. No upper lip can be seen; perhaps it has been battered off. On either side of the fangs are deep pits representing the sides of the mouth. The line of the lower lip arches upward in the center. The photograph shows some faint lines zigzagging down the forehead, which may be incised, or may be cracks. Despite the battered condition, the monument clearly represents an aspect of the Jaguar-monster. Monument 12 is the carving of a monkeylike figure of a light green schist (?) from the main trench across A-1l. The creature has his arms raised up over his head in an attitude suggesting that he is bound, hung up by the thumbs, so to speak, although no ropes are vis- ible. A tail, also in low relief, curls up the back of the stone to the hands. The arms are in low relief, and, unusual in the general art pattern, are bent backward at an anatomatically impossible angle. Presumably this feature was enforced by the size of the stone selected. The head is elongated, bulging somewhat in the frontal region; the eyes are represented by shallow concave disks surmounted by branch- ing brows similar to those on the Jaguar-monster mask. Two narrow bands slant diagonally across the forehead. The broad flat nose lies directly about the protruding arched upper lip. The lips do not show the usual everted character; it is possible that some sort of a 180 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 mask lies over the mouth, outlined by shallow incising. The ears are long, with pendulous lobes. They seem to be pierced but no earplugs are shown. The figure wears a broad collar or necklace, and a wide belt, both of which bear incised designs. On the right and left corners of the necklace are long pendants with a flaring bifurcated tip that resembles the split tongue of the Jaguar-monster on the Stone Coffer. The design on the belt is partly defaced, but appears to have been a Jaguar-monster mask with plumed eyebrows (?), small rectangular eyes, an angular open mouth with a row of short tri- angular incisors, and protruding below the lower margin, long curved bifurcated fangs (pl. 62, fig. 58). The base of the monkey figure is broken off, but enough remains of the right leg to indicate that the lower limbs were probably much simplified. Ficure 53.—Incised ornaments from Monument 12, partly restored. a, Necklace. D “Belt.” (Dotted lines of belt are reconstructions not clearly visible in available photog raphy.) Monument 13 can best be described as a short block, or columnar drum, of basalt (pl. 63, fig. 61). In cross section it has four not quite regular sides with heavily rounded corners—it looks as though it might have been a section of a large natural column with the normal five sides dressed down into four. One transverse face, about 0.8 m. across, has been carefully smoothed, and on it a human figure and several glyphlike elements have been carved in very low relief. De- spite the flatness of the carving, it gives clear evidence of the transfer of concepts of perspective gained from work in the round and in Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 181 high relief. The personage is shown striding, or posturing as in a dance, to the (observer’s) right, with head tipped back so that he gazes fixedly at a banner (?) in his thrust-out left hand. The face is in profile, and, although much of the detail of eyes and mouth have been obliterated by pits (of mud-wasp nests?), the heavy arched nose with flaring alae and the prominent chin and massive jaw are clearly seen. The shoulders are in three-quarters view, the left thrust forward in keeping with the pose with out-thrust arm. The underline of the jaw conceals part of the shoulder, and the neckline is indicated by a snug string of beads in an excellent handling of perspective that gives depth to the figure and defines the viewer’s position as slightly above the figure. The right shoulder droops slightly, being joined to the neck by a convex line marking the upper margin of the trapezius that realistically suggests powerful musculature. About the head is a turbanlike affair, given a clothlike texture by light crosshatching, from which rises a curled bunch of plumes, and behind which falls a long trailer, the inner edge of which passes behind the shoulder— again a deft touch that gives perspective to the carving. The right arm is flexed so that the partly open hand is in front of the right breast. There is a wristlet of some sort marked by three or four parallel lines. About his waist the personage wears a wide belt, sup- porting a breechclout. The two ends fall behind, and lightly incised lines over the inside of the left thigh suggest a pendant from the front. The legs are simply shown, with realistic sweeping curves marking the lines of thighs and calves. The feet are apart, the knees slightly bent. On the feet are sandals with high heel guards and elaborate ties over the instep, similar to those shown on certain Mayan stelae. From the point of view of draftsmanship, the figure is very well done, on the whole. In addition to the treatment of neck and shoulders, and the realistic curves of thigh muscles, the convexities indicating the deltoids and the slight curve of the pectoral muscle on the left side should be noted as points of realism. The chief defect is that the face is disproportionately large for the figure (unless it is supposed to be wearing a mask), and the right arm is too short, throwing the upper part of the figure out of balance. In other re- spects the figure is most successfully handled for a carving in such low relief. The tilt of the head, the asymmetric depiction of the shoulders (with the left thrust forward to hold out the bannerlike object) and the slightly bent knees give the figure a powerful feeling of movement. Behind the figure, toes sloping down toward it, is a conventional- ized footprint, conceivably meant as an obvious ideograph. Under the banner are three glyphlike forms, the uppermost, a blunt ellipse, that seems to have traces of a double-curve band across the upper right corner; the second, a similar ellipse surmounted by a bifurcated 182 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 form (the bifurcated Jaguar-monster tongue again?) ; and at the bot- tom a bird’s head with heavily hooked beak, an incised circle repre- senting the eye (partly obscured by the pit just behind it), and traces of a vertical band just behind the eye from the top of the head down. It seems possible that these forms once had more lightly incised detail within them. Monument 14 is a cylinder of stone with a cylindrical perforation through its long axis. It has no decoration, or at least, none remains on it. When found, one end of the perforation was neatly plugged with a stone disk. Monument 15, as has been remarked, consists of two fragments, which may or may not come from the same piece. Both are flat plaques with smoothly dressed upper faces carved with flat designs (pl. 64). One, the larger fragment, has a short stumpy foot at the corner. On its face it has what may be elements of a headdress of plumes or possibly a stylized Jaguar-monster pattern: there is a comma-shaped element at one corner of a hollow rectangle from which depends a keystone-shaped form, and what may be a matching comma- shaped element on the other side, perhaps representing the protruding fangs and tongue. A small elliptical depression appears to have been centered over the hollow rectangle. The decorative field is framed in a narrow border. The other piece, framed by a band of similar width, carries part of a more realistic theme, very obviously the Jaguar-monster, with an open mouth depressed at the corner(s) below a realistic muzzle. The large L-shaped element beside the mouth may be the conventionalized curved fang added as an ornament. It may well be that the two fragments belong together, for they are of the same type of material and of nearly the same thickness, the borders are the same in width, the background is cut away to about the same depth, and, although this estimate is open to error, reconstruction of the missing halves of both leaves them not too far different in width, so that they might have come from the two ends of the same altar top, or plaque, or whatever the object might have been. A possible recon- struction is shown in figure 54. Altar 7, the last of the newly discovered monuments, is unfortunately very heavily damaged. It once must have been one of the most elabo- rate “altars” at the site (pl. 65). To judge by the photographs, dam- age consists chiefly in spalling off of long thin sheets of stone from the surface, as though from repeated exposure to fire. Figure 1 consists in a large face recessed in a niche with rounded top, similar to those of the other altars. Most of the features are obliterated, but the general facial proportions are plainly those of other full-face figures from the monuments: broad, with heavy squarish jowls. The ears are long and narrow, and from them depend ornaments. From the region of Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 183 s orem nies SS eet me Hm mow we ee ee ee | ~— eee mM ew ww ew we we ee ee om nw ow wm = ee = ee ee ee a ewe em em war e-em i] ‘ 1 t = ' rs SO} ‘ SSS ESS Pie ‘ { A . beat 1 He ‘ H ; ; ‘ \ ‘ \ y cs. 7 ¢ ‘ ie 0 ‘ ' . Sed , ‘ 1 ‘ ces Oe, - 4 4 D ' ‘ ay ee ‘ Se Ce ‘ ' ‘ Sais a ( i re ' Smecne Wane ‘ J ' OAS 65 Rota ene seem aie SK = Nop anne esa eier ti l ws x‘ v OOOO SN t V\ Ue -- \ ' ty TS ee 2, 1 { S\ieet] ak) Qi ’ i] 1 Depads. Oot ’ ‘ Csi 18) ey te ed, f U Oe AD et We eer coated ae ee ¢ ,eeeore et eenod SRS SSO BS 4 \ 1 s = eh preocere > 4 Sees ‘ =e / 1 Qe 4 oo i) ~ RII FSG et tS ' \ y \ \ t { ' ! ' ' ' ' KN ' ’ i] t ' ] og “5 44g PERG dike: eY eerie ‘ ey? e ’ Vee ace Weaeee ¢ 4 Sarat - o---- we meee ee ec eee se we eee eS] Heme mee err errr Figure 54.—Suggested reconstruction of Monument 15 fragments (see pl. 64). the mouth and chin depends a peculiar spade-shaped object, too bat- tered to recognize with certainty. It might have represented a beard (it is very similar to that of Figure 1, Stela 2), or, as Stirling has suggested, some sort of mask for the lower part of the face similar to that adorning the Tuxtla statuette. Above Figure 1, slightly to left of center on what seems to be a natural ledge or projection, are traces of what may have been a large glyph, perhaps a round-cornered rectangle enclosing an X-shaped element. One would expect a com- panion piece to the (observer’s) right. Of Figure 2, in low relief just to the left, only the upper portion remains. A man is shown as standing with face in profile and shoulders in three-quarters view, his right hand bent to waist level, apparently clutching some object, his left flexed and pointing upward over the top of Figure 1. His 9473105218 184 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 face has been obliterated, but a mitrelike cap can be seen, and he sports what looks suspiciously like a false beard, or else one trimmed to a narrow line along the edge of the jaw. He has ear ornaments of some type, and the remnants of a wide belt. Three small more or less round- cornered rectangular objects (glyphs?) appear to have emerged from his mouth, floating up toward the cartouche above Figure 1. Figure 3, around on the side of the altar, is a large head in bold relief that ap- pears to represent a horned owl. It has large round eyes, bulging within shallow recesses, round puffy cheeks, and what seems to be a hooked beak extending downward from between the eyes. Two or three rodlike projections from either side seem to represent the “ear tufts.” Figure 4 is immediately below Figure 3, and is in very low relief. I cannot make out whether it is actually the body of Figure 3, or isa separate unit representing a captive bird. There appear plainly enough a wing outstretched at the (observer’s) right, and part of another to the left. The feathers are indicated at the wing tip to the right, by simply curving masses. Below are two obliterated features which may represent the bird’s legs, outspread like those of the eagle in our national coat-of-arms, or which may be tail feathers. In one photograph the right-hand element looks as though it might be the head and beak of a bird seized by the legs. Figure 5 represents a man. His headdress seems to have a long projection that extends forward touching, or going behind, Figure 3. The face is shown in profile, but the features are so eroded that little can be said of them. His shoulders seem to be in full view, but whether he was faced toward or away from the observer cannot be made out. Traces of feet and legs can just be made out. He may have been standing grasping the bird figure, Figure4. Figure 6 is another large head in bold relief. Stirling con- siders it another owl head, and is probably right since he examined the altar itself. However, in one of the photographs that seems to show it clearly, the ears appear to be round tabs (rather than tufts as on Figure 3), the eyes are smaller and slightly more bulged than those of Figure 3, and there appears to be a round buttonlike nose rather than a beak, so that in this view at least it suggests a kinkajou head rather than an owl. As far as subject matter goes, a figure of the nocturnal kinkajou would not be a bad companion for the owls, if creatures or spirits of the night were meant to be portrayed. The remainder of the altar is very badly damaged. There is another large owl head, apparently similar to Figure 3, and at least two pairs of unshod human feet, and several fragments that seem to be wing tips and talons of large bird figures. It should be noted that this altar differs from most of the others in that the block from which it was carved was not squared up all over. The figures would seem to have been begun at the natural surface, and possibly protuberances and irregularities were utilized for some of them at least. Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 185 STYLISTIC CHARACTERS OF THE SCULPTURES In view of the association of the small jade carvings and the stone monuments with what appears to be a one-horizon site, it seems reason- able to assume that they are not only contemporaneous but made by the same people. It is theoretically possible for two strains of art, originally unrelated, to coexist in the same culture particularly if this culture has been subject to varied alien influences. Such a situ- ation expectably would result in a hybrid aspect of the art, with stylistic differences conforming to the different complexes of media and techniques. Of course, if, as seems to be the case in the La Venta situation, all of the art expressions can be shown to be related, it does not mean that there have been no outside influences, but rather that the art style itself was dominant. Thus new traits and complexes, whether use of jade ornaments, or erection of stelae, would have been modified to admit the motifs and methods of representation deemed appropriate by the art style. The broader cultural implications of such a situation need not concern us for a moment, but it is important to note that if we can relate the carvings large and small artistically, we thereby widen our range of comparison with other cultures. If, that is to say, we can demonstrate that style transcended medium and de- tails of sculpturing techniques at La Venta, we need not restrict com- parisons to, let us say, small jade figurines and pendants in the form of jaguar teeth from other regions, but may legitimately compare, pointing out similarities and differences, stone monuments, stelae, and any other relief representations on which we have data in adjacent culture provinces. We shall begin with a discussion of the charac- teristics of representations of the human figure, first in the small jade figurines, and then in the monuments; next, jaguar representations; and finally a series of miscellaneous motifs and decorative elements. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE HUMAN FORM Front view.—The most significant stylistic features of the figurines appear in the series of line drawings of their component parts (fig. 55). In the upper row, the head-and-face outlines show a typically elongated head outline, apparently resulting from artificial deforma- tion (which appears in many profile views). Also typical is the great bigonial width of the outlines, and the massiveness of the jaws. The typical head and face outline varies from that of an elongate rectangle with rounded corners to a slightly pyriform shape with maximum width at the base. Figurine 8 is the only one departing widely from thisnorm. Eye sockets are typically formed by deep-drilled pits, with a preference for blunt-ended elliptical outlines. Probably all were in- laid with materials of contrasting colors. Orientation of the eyes varies from straight to forms with a slight downslant at the outer (Bull. 153 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 186 x e/ "9[89S 02 ION] “YdesZ0,0yd ut Iva OI ‘ON JO Sivy ‘our]INo jo AJowUTAse jo uoIssoidul snoauoIa SuIAIS ‘MOIA JUOI ‘3X0} Ul sustutoads aJa;dwod jo sioquinu jeuanbas 0} sJoyzos sIoquin\y [9 Jou (UsUUIDads ouI¥s) pury jo [IeIap {marta QUOI] UI d]QISIA JOU i oA ig es i} ec» i? J [[F Wosz Yo Aysys sydes80,0yd woy umeip “6 ‘Z ‘son suautisadg "SoInjvo} JO sjusUOdWIOD ZulMoys ‘au0}s Joyo pue opel jo sourmn31g—¢¢ aunorg L007 ONGH suvr7 HLNOW ONY IFISON SFAT SIN/TLNOG FIIVS ONY OvIH > ON IN/ENDS Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 187 corners; only exceptionally are the inner corners lower. The form and relation of nose and mouth is of especial diagnostic significance. The nose tends to be broad with flaring alae. More significantly, there is little or no space between the lower portion of the nose and the thick membranous area of the upper lip, i. e., no, or almost no, in- tegumental upper lip is depicted. This accentuates the impression of thickness and heaviness not only of the lips but of the face in gen- eral. The form of the mouth varies somewhat although invariably it droops slightly at the corners. The drilled pits at the corners in- crease this characteristic conformation. Ears are typically long and narrow, with angular outline. The invariable perforation in the lower portion either represents an ear plug, or was meant for the at- tachment of small ornaments. The total effect of the broad faces with heavy jowls, thick features, and full lips, seems to be an exaggeration or idealization of a particular physical type. The bodies are in general treated with a simplified realism, that is, minor details are suppressed—the handling of hands and feet indicates this quite clearly—but there is an emphasis on structure and mass that suggests not only keen observation but accurate anatomical knowledge on the part of the artists. Arms and legs are not rubbery “boneless” appendages but are limbs with definite structure, that bend only at the joints. Gentle but definite bulges in the shoulder and chest areas, at the biceps, and upper forearms, and in thighs and calves, indicate musculature definitely and correctly. As a final character, we may note the absence of superfluous decoration. Aside from suggestions of garments, there are no purely ornamental details on any of the fiourines. Most of the features just listed as characteristics of the small figu- rines relate to front views of the human face and figure of the monu- mental carvings. It can be shown that all of them recur in most of the large La Venta monuments which show human beings in this posi- tion. Some of the variation is probably due to difference in material and size of the figures. Figure 56 presents the components of the figures of the monuments. Elongated deformation of the head appears in but two cases: in Monument 8, and that of Stela 1, though even these have headdresses that partly obscure the head forms. Perhaps the lack of this feature in the case of the colossal heads represents a labor-saving device; there is only one case among the less grandiose figures that unques- tionably shows a low unaltered head (Monument 5), for the other representations have elaborate headgear which serve to conceal their head forms. Wide faces with great bigonial breadth can be seen in every case. Its apparent absence in the main figures of Altars 4 and 5 is misleading, being due to the angle at which the monuments were 188 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153 ALTAR 5 FIGS es AION 3 ‘ 4 U ~ a AION 9 ATON /O ALTAR 7 FIG / Figure 56.—Monumental sculptures, human faces in front view (not to scale). Monu- ment 9 reconstructed from photographs taken at angle. photographed. Figure 1 of Altar 5 very plainly manifests this physiognomic peculiarity. Eyes of the large figures differ most from the forms pointed out as typical of the figurines. Only two have deep-drilled eyes (Monuments 5 and 8), and in one of these the outer ends of the eyes are modified into a nonhuman angularity. In the rest, the eyes tend to be horizontally placed ellipses symmetrically pointed at both ends and made by excavating the area to a level slightly Drucker] LA VENTA, TABASCO 189 below that of the eyelids. In the larger specimens particularly, the surfaces of the eyes are realistically convex. The fact that the eyes of the figurines were meant to hold inlays, while those of the large figures were not, accounts for the different modes of representation. The differing form of the ears appears to be a more arbitrary matter. On most of the larger figures, where shown at all (where not covered by appendages from the headgear) they are represented fairly realistically, but alongside the head, so that they are not visible in a direct front view. Only Monument 8 has the stylized long angular ears of the figurines, although those of the figure of Stela 1 approach this type. It is in the form of the mouth and nose that the large figures show the most uniformity to the type portrayed by the figurines. In every case in which erosion has left these facial parts discernable, the nose is broad, and situated directly above the thick membranous area of the upper lip, which curves strongly upward from the corners. The lower lip, also thick, repeats the direction of curvature. In a few cases there are pits at the corners of the mouth. Treatment of bodies varies, but there are several figures, those for example of Altars 4 and 5, and Monument 13, in which anatomical detail is simply but very realistically portrayed. Hands and feet are in every instance simplified. Sexual organs are not shown in any instance. The final characteristic, lack of superfluous decoration, holds good for all except the stelae, where the crowding of the various forms represented, and the more elaborate dress and headgear com- bine to give an effect rather different from that of the other speci- mens—small figures and monumental pieces alike. Apparently the normal pattern of chastity of decoration was in the case of stela art modified by a pattern calling for elaborate composition. Yet the recurrence of familiar modes of representation and motives in the stela carvings relate them without a doubt to the other monuments, and in turn, to the miniature art of the figurines. Profile views of human features.—It is interesting to note what happens to the stylized human representations just defined when depicted in profile, that is, in low relief, or when drawn (incised) on a plain surface, as in the case of the profile faces on the decorated ear spools. quo], ‘“YaT *7T-W punoyy ul quioy, LALVId €S1 NILATINS ASONONHLA NVOIMAWY AO NVAaenNEa *(SUOT]BALIXS 7F6T) [-V ‘NOD [eluouIaJeD jo pus ynos ‘AemAIQUS YSnolyI nd Jo [JVM ul sAev]D posojooeA jo sade] Jo dn-asoj_ ‘ys1y ¢€alvid esl NILATINGA “IDAOD JY} JO JSOUI JO [RAOUIOI pu Suliva[d Joie ‘auc Ispues Jo JoyoD 91 ‘g JusUINUOTY 4/97 ADSOTONHLA NVOIMAWYV AO NVayna BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULEERIN 153) PEATE 3 os = we "= oN wy B Adobes cut by pit in West Bastion of Ceremonial Court (1942 excavations). ‘T-V ‘nod [eiuowssag ul ‘ylip Apues Aq ple[ioAo ‘uoNeUO; Ae] ul doap jassaa Aioqjod PelvAo7) “q *punoi3 yoeq ul V quo T, “IaquUed 72 PpetvAoounN Aypesed CT JUIWINUOTY :yqiou BULYOO] 1T-V “yanod [etuoWs197) ysnolyy youd) fo uollod D re balV1d eSl NILSA11NE ASDOTONHLA NVOIYAWY AO NVvaynsa ‘T-V ‘J4nog |eluoweleg Jo pues Joddn ut ‘njIs ul ‘sqeis pue (Z] JUsUINUOT\) anieis Aayuoyy ‘9 “TV {anod JeluoWaseg ‘Yyoues ule Jo Av]I JoMOT Ul sad ‘¢ “[-V ‘4noD [efuoWIaJaD jo purs Joddn ut sjassaa Ataq0d pasaaod ‘pv S$ 31V1d €St NILA11NG ADOTONHILA NVOINAWY 3AO NVaYHNa BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 6 od a, View north along columns on west side of Ceremonial Court, A-1. 0, Columns exposed in situ in West Trench of Ceremonial Court, A-1. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUEEERING 153) PEATE, 7 a, East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1l, partially excavated, from southeast; note row of inset blocks on east face. b, Exterior of north wall of East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1, showing upright columns, horizontal bracer, and stone facing band. , Interior of brickwork in East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-l. “UOIJBABIXO Jol[1vod Ul PAAOW II SSO fo do} ‘I-V anoy [BlUOUWI19°) fo WIOf el | 4sey ul YAOMYIIG Yiesued JOINUWU oI}eWoy pue S}[Io jo 2yIeo WIOfIONAD) “4d 831V1d €S1 NILaA11Na keV anod ]BluOUT197) jo WO el 4sey ul 9jqqni Avo sulAjiopun pue YIOMYAIIG 7) ASOIONHLA NVOIMAWY AO NVvaynNa BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 9 Interior of East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1, showing Pavement No. 1, clay rubble, brickwork, and overlying clay and sand. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUEEEGIN M53 PEATE 10 Pavement No. 1 beneath East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1; four appendages at bottom incompletely excavated (see also pl. 11). ‘Top of photo is north. BUCEETIN 153 PEATE 11 AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUREAU OF : : E e = & E =: : Detail of appendage at southeast corner of Pavement No. 1, beneath East Platform of Ceremonial Court, A-1; looking south. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 12 — a, Steps of columnar basalt leading to south edge of Forecourt of Ceremonial Court, A-1; looking north. 6, View north along main trench through Mound A-3 (foreground), across Ceremonial Court, A-1, to Mound A-2 (background). BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 13 a, Grave deposit or cache (Tomb E) in North Mound, A-2, showing location relative to Tomb A and stone coffer excavated in 1942. b, Grave deposit or cache (Tomb E) in Mound A-2, showing jade celts, earplugs, beads, and other objects in situ. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 14 a, Stone cist (Tomb C) in South Mound, A-3, cleared but unopened. 4, Stone cist (Tomb C) in South Mound, A-3, on completion of its excavation. ‘ ‘C-V punoj,, pur punojy Ivory usemIoq ‘7 ‘ON JUSWIAAK JO YINOS sij99 aUTUadas Jo aye ‘2 “IYsIT Joddn ye Jossaa AvjD ‘np Ul “¢—V punoyyy Jo adojs yinos uo (J qUIOT, WOIZ aYDvd JO sSulayO [elng apef “q¢ “¢—V Puno] :pus JaMoy ul 8nd ouojs Surmoys ‘(FT JUsUINUOT) Jopul[AD au0Ig ‘vB Gt 3iv1d eS! NILATINAaA ADSOTIONHLA NVOINAWYV AO NV3aeNEG BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 16 Pavement No. 2, near south edge of Mound A-3; top of photo is north. “o1RM UMOIG 9S1BOD ‘p taleMm yng asivog ‘9 ‘q ‘v “sprays podureis 19yD0yY ‘qysty ‘a1eM YNg asivog “q *(¢¢ ‘BY aas ‘usISap pasioul A[dzep Jo BUIMeIP JOf) dIVM BUI d]Sseg JUIY ‘Y “s[assoA Je[NBuvIdeI [[eMs Jo sjuowIBeIy “7faT | coreeoaceses —— 1 SY3LSWILN3D ee rr ee SHALSWILN3D ee em py ‘ ¥ € z 1 cs 41 Ailv1d e€Sl NiILa11INa ASOTONHLA NVOINAWY AO NVAYNa BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 18 Sherds of effigy vessels of Coarse Buff ware. (Scale differs: a@ is about 7 cm. high; b, about 13 cm. For reconstruction of a, see fig. 30. b, National Geographic photo.) BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 19 3 Complete vessels from 1943 excavations (restored by preparators of Museo Nacional de México). a,b, Coarse Black ware; c, d, f, Coarse Brown ware (?). e, Red on Coarse Brown ware bowl (for design restoration, see fig. 41, a). g, Coarse Buff ware. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUIEEERIN: 153° (PEATE 20 Incised, stamped, and punctate designs in various wares. a, g, h, Coarse Black ware g is rim fragment of White-rimmed Coarse Black). 5, d, e, 1, 7, Coarse Brown ware. c, k, Fine Paste Black ware. f, Coarse Buff ware. (For reconstruction of design of k, see fig. 33.) BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 2 3 meena cmt persihincstitaeeenost——— CENTIMETERS Miscellaneous ceramic feacures. a, a’, Front and side view of modeled vessel foot (?) or ornament. c, Pottery flare (?) or flat stamp fragment. d, ““Thumbnail” impressed design on Coarse Buff ware sherd. f, Heavy punctate design on Coarse Buff ware sherd. ¢,g,1,j,k, m, Handle fragments. h, Perforated sherd (figurine or rattle frag- ment ?). /, , 0, Vessel lugs. 21 : *(1aqse|d Jo vary Sal eOIpU! apIs IaMO] UO ZUIYIIeY-SsO1d) sjUIOl [109 Jo UO RSIPU! Jva]D YIM [MOG I1eM Ng asIvOD opeul Ajiood jo 1ollaquy 7ys1y «2 pur p jo ausdt1seid Ul sisevo ale ,2 pue ,p *(j) Aeyseq paulMm UaAoM AJasoys Jo Aplusiedde ‘uoissaidun a]19x0q YIM pssyg ‘9 *s10l19} x9 Jel poyey,, ‘p ‘2 ‘squtol jioo payoied 30 ‘surrvas pjow aq Ajqissod qysiw IwyM SuLMmoys sjuswsely Ivf fo sioiequy ‘g ‘v GfaT ‘sanbruysey s1uresag 2 , eé 3S1V1d €Slt NILSATINGA ADSOTONHLA NVOIMAWYV AO NVAYHNa ‘speay Jo sa[yolg ‘4Fty ‘speoy JO MAIA dov}-|[NJ 2eT “opeul oie Aayi you Jo aysed asivoo puv ‘suonviound Aavoy ‘stmof optim YIIM saovy Suoy AT[eotdAy ay :sainieay JuvoYyIUsIS SuIMoYs “T—-V—] ‘spray oulin3y sajodeZ sa1y, r t €¢ AlLV1d €S1 NILSATING ADOIONHLA NVOIMAWY AO NVvVayenae BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 24 = Steps infconstruction of Style I figurine face, modeled in plasticene. No incomplete exam- ples at these stages have been found; the steps are based on superposition of features in various specimens (i. e., arc of an eye cutting into the nose, indicating nose had been shaped first). ‘The stub that forms the neck and back of the head, to which the face is welded by means of the headdress or hair, was omitted. (See Drucker, 1943 a, pl. 65, s and v.) The un-Olmec look of my inexpert final stages is purely accidental. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 25 ay? Tres Zapotes figurine heads. a, b, c, HW-A-1l. d, e, I-B-3/II, that is, I-B-3 specimens showing influence of Style II in treatment of eyes and mouth. ‘$-q-] JO s.uenyul Zuneoipur ,.‘9,, ul ayoid xaauoo 0} ADuapua} 910N “Yay UO suauoads aov}-][NJ Jo sopyord “ysry *¢—q—] Jo aoe} JOYS apiMm ayi preMmoy pues oyi ATuIejd Arava Moys suaumsads ¢—y—-j omi ayy, ‘e¢—g-] ‘f “Z/e¢-—q-] ‘a I ‘ seadsl ‘eg-q-] ‘Pp “eg-q-1 ‘2 “¢-W-1 ‘9 “§-W-I ‘7 ‘“WfeT) (elueA eT wor ore saqejd Burmoyjoy ul UMOYs soulIN3yY [[y) ‘3ulszip [eiouss ‘soULINSY BUDA eT 9¢ AlV1d €Sl NILS371NgG ASOTONHL]A NVOIYAWY AO Nvayuna BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 27 CENTIMETERS Figurines, general digging. a, I-A (3?). _b, I-B-3a with aberrant headdress. c, I-B-3b. d, I-B-3b/II. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 28 eee = ee CENTIMETERS i Figurines, general digging. a,I-B-4. b, I-B-4/II. c, I-B-4/II. d, I-B-4/III. e, I-B-4. jf, -B-2. ¢, 1-B-4. h, I-B-4/Il. 2,1-B-4/M. 7, B44. 2B tn 7 I-B-1/4. m, |-B-1/4 (originally had beard and crested helmet like “Z’”’). nn, I-B-3b. o, I-B-3b. p, I-B-3b/II. g, I-B-3b/II. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULEEGIN 153° PEATE 29 CENTIMETERS —— Figurines, profiles of plate 28 specimens. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 30 P g g digging. a, I-C-I/II. b, I-B-3a. c, III-A-I/I (2). d I-B-3b. «, I-B-3b. f, I-B-3a_ (II). g, I-B-A/IA. h, I-B-3a/II. 7, I-B-3a/IT. j, I-B-3a. /, -B/III. m, I-B aberrant. n, I-A-3 (?). 0, I-B-3b. », I-B-3b (?). I q, I-A-3 aberrant (squatting hunchbacked figure, perforated for suspension. ‘Yay 1e UMOYS sudUTIDads Jo SMOIA YOeq pure aplg VWysIy “selpog g-] 10 y-] :Jepuremay *(¢7 ‘[d 9as ‘syovq uO sayisiyM YIM) ssp d1vIOgRIa YIM salpoq [—q—] *Y ‘Q*p ‘MaIA \uOLy “YfaT "BuISSIp [e1oues ‘soulmnsiy 1 l€ AlVv1d est NILATING ADSONONHLA NVOIMAWY AO Nvaenae ‘IYe] 12 uMOYS susuIIdeds Jo sMAIA YOvq puL 2pIg ‘7ys1y *selpoq q-] 10 W-] ‘Jepurewoy "ITY pur ‘odvo ‘iv]joo apim YIM ‘oin3y pareas ve jo Apog oulnsy jueleqy “q¢ “(77 ‘[d 9as ‘syeq uO sapsiym pey y ‘P) ssoip a1eIOGRIP YIM saIpoq [-g-] ‘Y “f°D “MOIA QUOI ‘7faT “BUIBSIp JesJouas ‘sauun3ry 7. & il SHSLSWINID SS c€ ALW1d e€St NILaAIINa ASOTIONHLA NVOIMAWY 4AO nvayna BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUEEEBRIN 153° PEATE 33 i Limb and body fragments of figurines. e, h, k, 0, Probably of III-A-1 figurines; remainder, probably I-A or I-B, except p, aberrant type (possibly I-C-1). BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 34 Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Levels 1 and 2. a-f, Level 1. g-/, Level 2. a, I-B-3a. 4, ‘TII-A-1. g,I-B-A. d, Snake head, Style ?. c,¢, f, h-I, I-A or I-B body fragments. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUEEERING 153 sPEATESSS ee. CENTIMETERS Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 3. a, I-B-4. 6, I-B-3a/II. c, I-B-3a/Il. 4, I-A-3. e, I-B-3a/II (I-C influence?). f, I-B-3b/II with animal (?) body (on all fours). g, III fragment. h, Animal head (Style I ?). 7, I-A-3. j+, I-A or I-B body frag- ments. m, I-B body, with cape, kilt. mn, III body fragment (?); modeled body seated on stool. o, III-A-l, arm and hand. 4, Solid earplug (?). g, I-B-1, body fragment back view, showing attachment of whistle. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 36 nee nemo ree 2 en) CENTIMETERS. Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 3. Miscellaneous body, arm, leg, etc., fragments. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 37 vf Cc ; Ue @R 1: 36-48 z > CENTIMETERS Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 4. a, I-B-4. 6, I-A-3 (?) (or I-A-3/III?). c, I-B-4. Gib 4 IB -ob: sped B—afll, ¢. EB3b. hh, I-B-4/il 7, 1-8 -4/11 aberrant (no headdress). 7, I-B-3b. &, I-B-4/II. /, III-A-1. 1, Probably I-B+4. m, 0, p, r, Animal and bird figurine fragments, Style 1. g, Small whistle. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE CENTIMETERS Figurines, Stratitrench 1, Level 4. “3 : 3 : ee I-A or I-B bodies. 38 ‘puvy pue we (7) 7-V-III ‘¥ ‘“puey pue wie ({) ‘I-W-III ‘2 ‘susurseaz quul] pur Apoq gq-] 10 y-] ‘7-1 ‘8-p ‘q *Atjeq quesog -njoid ‘yoeqyouny yim “(ayyord ut) Apog quediaqe J aArg ‘v ‘Wysty T/e¢-A-] ‘“w *T afArg ‘ajasiym prig “Ww °7-V-III ‘E (GV % *y]/e¢-gq-T ‘y ‘yoeleqe epnso q¢-q-] ‘2 “[I/qg-a-1 f “4é-d-1 2 “Fal ep=q=1 2) “Vial “9 U/paaal 2 ven) <5 les) P yoworsiean gy seuians), SWaLSWLLNaD —_——— ee [ T 3 , J 6€ ALV1d e€St NILAT1INGA BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 40 Figurines, Stratitrench 3, Level 1. a, I-A (probably I-A-3). 6, I-B-4/II. c, I-A-3 ()}. d, III-A-1 (not clear in plate, but specimen shows carefully modeled ears, vestiges of modeled facial planes). ¢, I-B-4. f, I-B-4/II. g, I-B-3a. h, (2) (proportions suggest I-A-3). 1, I-B-3a/II. 7, I-B-3b. &, (?) (probably I-A-3). J, m, 0, I-A or I-B arms. 1, I-A or I-B torso. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 40A CENTIMETERS Figurines, Stratitrench 3, Level 2. a, I-A-3. b, I-B-4. c, I-A-3. d, 1-B-3b. e, I-B-3a/II. f, I-B-3b/II. g, I-B-4/II. h, I-B-4/II. 1, Bird head (whistle ?), Style I. 7, Animal head, Style I (?). &, 1-B-4. J, I-B-2. m, Animal head frag- ment, Style I (7). », Large human head fragment, probably I-B-3b. 0, Torso, I-A or I-B. p, Crude seated animal (rear view, front very eroded) Style l. 4g, Torso, I-A or I-B. a ag peziydiowodoiyjue (iT ]/]) | e[AIS “P "q¢-G-1 ‘y “ee-q-1 % ‘I1/e "QyEy pue odes yarm) Apoq g-] 4+ "¢ [PART 7 Ajqeqoig ‘y (Oe 10) Maes qe EV sl 4 jO Juow}¥211) [][]/Fg-] Lv ALV1d eSl NILA11Ng& iam a "fF Joao] ‘3—v “7ys1yy (USS e/2 “(II/I-O-I) peytpow ‘s}USWISe1y quilT pue Apog {7 ‘y ‘f ‘1 ‘y (Sp “34 99S UOT NAYsUODaI 10J) 9UTQUAdIOS jo Apoq q-[ Jo “Apog (Quviieqe) snoijsuow YIM pesy []/V—-] ‘P “juowsesy Apog gq—] 10 y-] ‘uv spell tea On cleat iO IIE OT ‘Apoq q-] Jo y-] 9 “¢-y-] ‘q ‘sensel ROH SO Va 2s yada i ‘(sodA pajapour Jo sd.uenyul smoys soo “¢ pur ‘F ‘¢ sjaaay ‘¢ youstneng ‘soulnsiy & SuaLaWiLN3D — t ASOTONHLA NVDOIYAWY AO NVSEHNSa "E [OAT] ‘T YOusmMeg WOT [TY ,,/SMeS,, pisys ‘y ‘fa *sa8pa yo-punols yim sysiq “y ‘f ‘3 “p ‘gq “sysip ino peysnoy 7 ‘p “splays payIOMas JO SUIIOF SNOLIVA “Fys2y “UOIsUadsns JO} pouOrYses s1ySIaA\ ‘¥-y ‘asm uMOUYUN Jo JalqQ ‘3 “oulINSy Juvdioqe jo sie ‘(a *(2) aiey Bnjdiva Aroyog ‘p ‘iensel ve Sunuasaidos [asso ABZyjo |jeus jo quawSeig ‘2 ‘onbiayoai J] efAIg ul “[[Nys [TEU *¢ “[eas [eolupulfAD ‘vo *SulsZ1p ;esoues wrosy Avy Jo sjoafqo snoour|[eostul pue soulnsy Jurioqy {aT iy ey 3ALVi1d e€S1 NILSATING ADSDONIONHLA NVYOIMAWYV AO NVvaena BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 43 Ges Aberrant figurines, strongly modeled (Style I11). a, III-B, with Style I influence in use of punctations and appliqué. 6, III-B. General digging. (a’ and b’ are profiles of a and b.) BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 44 Objects of stone and other materials. a, Sandstone “caw” fragments. 0b, “Saw” (?) or grindstone of very dense sandstone (concretionlike). c, d, e, Obsidian flake knives (note dressed tips of c and e). g, h, 1, Tools of chalcedony flakes. f, Hemispherical bead of greenish stone or poor quality jade. j, Small plaque (or pendant ?) of poor quality jade. &, Fragment of Type B earplug (strongly flared, with rectangular outline). J, Pellet of asphaltum, shaped into a flattish disk. m, Pumice polishing tool. n, 0, Hammerstones (1 is of chalcedony). BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY Sample series of notched sherds (and disk, lower right-hand BULLETIN 153 PLATE 45 corner), from Stratitrench 3. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 46 Jade figurines 1 and 2, from tomb in Mound A-2, front and side views. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 47 Dorsal views of Jade figurines 1 and 2, and front views of figurines 3 and 4, also from tomb in Mound A-2 (1 and 2 not same scale as preceding plate). BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 48 Dorsal and profile views of figurines 3 and 4. "§ QUIINSY JO MaIA aTYoIg “Wysty “MAA JuOIY ‘VfaT *(9 JUeUINUOT)) Jayoo su0ys Woy ‘aUUAdias jo *¢ oulain3i gy 6p 3AlLV1d e€Slt NILATINA ASONIONHL]A NVYOIYSAWY AO NvaeYnNAa BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 50 Figurines 8, 9, and 10, from 1943 collections. Figurine 10 is about 10 cm, tall. (National Geographic Society photo.) BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUEEEGINGISS Pe AnEsS1 7 Figurine 11. Left, Facial detail. Right, Profile view of figurine 11 (height: about 11 cm.). (National Geographic Society photo.) %o, e 6 y ° eQe OGSe eo oh? Qab0? 260000° Sobmond nal ADOIONHLA NVOIMAWY AO Nvauns 10 o © o oe o o © ». eG ALW1d €St NILAT1INGA *BUO] “UID OI 198 YS JO WIOF ul yalqg ‘p ‘D JO Jey URY) JosIe] ‘SORHINS ( 1OM9IUI,, BARIUOD ‘YD *7—V punoyy ul quo} wolf ‘juepued opel pedeys-jaysuey fay mnoge ‘7 £19afqo yea Jo 1J9] 01 P “gq ‘v Jo asoyi :salivA susuIdads jo ajeog *z—-y punoyy *‘quioy Wolf ({ Juepusd) sulds Aer Sur “JOPOD Puoispursg Woy ‘2 “7-V punojy ul quoy, “¢ *(g WauINUOCZ)) Joyo suo spurs ‘vy ‘asn uMouyuUN Jo s}oalqo apef Vys1y ApiySt]s Ara ajeos v 07 st ‘q ‘dpa asulpy,, ‘a8po oO : 7 Wo 4) Oo 2 G €S$ 31vV1d est NILa771Na ASOTONHLA NYOINSAWY 4O nvayna BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 54 C Jade objects of unknown use from the 1942 excavations. a, Rectangles with incised Bird- monster design. 6, Hands and forearms (imperforate). c, e, Small flares. d, Small object suggesting animal head (pendant ?). Scale of c-e differs from a and b; ¢ is about 25 mm. in diameter. (It has been photographed at a slight angle; it is actually circular, not elliptical.) d has an over-all length of about 29 mm. e has a diameter of about 21 mm. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULEECE TIN 153) PEASE 55 Series of jade celts from offering, Tomb E (1943 season.) Upper, Side view. Lower, Addi- tional jade celts from offering (1943 season.) (National Geographic Society photos.) 2 ey ‘(9 JUaUINUOJY) JaHOD 9u0}s -pueg ul Suazo wo s8njdieq “3 “f *7—-y ul quioz wouy (; Juepuad) anbrjd uvipisqo [wus ‘a ‘sseur punow wo4y osye ‘opel Aiyenb 100d surjeisAs9 Jo speaq [eotipul[Ad y1oys pu ¥sIp [eolaydsqng ‘p “7—-VW jo sseul punour wrod} ‘Aqyenb 100d sayies jo apel aurjeysAso jo s8nidieq ‘9 ‘q ‘v “9 udu -NUOJ, puke ¢-V PUNO, ISIQ euOIspueg Woy s}oa!qo uvIpIsgo pur opel WYyF1y “Y ..quoL,, ‘ZuLIaYO WIOl} USISap JosuOWI-IeNsef YIM peAreo yao ape ‘7/77 Res tn fee oO Wo? ADO NONHLA NVOINAWY AO NvayenSa etic calling die. -epek = Pei + . - es BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 57 Jade bobs or pendants associated with earplugs. a, From offering containing four figurines, etc.; b, from Sandstone Coffer; c, from offering including decorated earplugs; d, from offering of “Tomb D.” Not to same scale; pair a about 5.8 cm. long; pair b about 4 cm. long. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 57A “oS e a CM. SCALE FOR A-G |g Various types of tubular jade beads (a-g), and heart-shaped object of jade (r). Figs. a-g, and r, from 1942 excavations, remainder from 1943. Scales of different sections of plate vary: a-g, as shown; in h-o, 0 is about 4.6 cm. long; in p-g, p is about 19 mm. long; 7 is about 2.3 cm. maximum length. “Wu ¢°QZ JO YSU] WNWIxeW vB sey ‘JapaAy Aq 2]vOS YIM poydeiZojoyd ‘usuNIdads papIIg *(aTeds YIM Suoje ‘Surydessojoyd ul yo ind Apiuaqapeul suoutseds QE inoqy) “919 ‘s3n[diva paiesodsap ‘oulinsy (7) suo sour] YIM puno} ‘sajsueds opel Jo satias jo Weg VW Red 2D te OD, aS eae { S~iVVJACarvveyy [ &-e 2S V/I ae 8S 3B1V1d €Sl NILA1INA ASOTNONHLA NVOIMAWY SO Nvaynd (‘soyoyd AqaI90g s1ydeiz0ay [ruCeN) ‘sedeiyD ‘jeaofoung jo Aqulo1a wody ‘au0}s Yep JO IPD ‘Wysty “ooseqey, ‘esouoyr||IA Ul UONEO] JUeSeid 0} vIUaA eT WOIY sav jUada1 Ul paylodsue1} Useq DALY O} poAddlfog ‘g JUaWINUOT “7/77 6S Al1V1d €S1 NiILaT71InNg ASOTONHLA NVOISAWY AO NVWAYNSa ‘slosso0] Aursoyeu Aq ¥jUsA kT WOI, poaour useq aAvY OF PrAddtjaq sev YO “qu, “OUSdTA Ug eOULY Iv OT “qey, ‘oofes[euIOD Iv si 6 WUaWNUOTY “OT JUSUINUOTY Vys1y “]reIap [eIoKy “6 JUSUINUOTY “7/97 O39 Sttivad ESt Niland ADSOTONHLA NVOIYSAWY AO NVAYNG ‘ ‘Ivol pure opIs JO MolA 14514 ‘det JO [lelop ‘¢ WaT “dU \ ues Boul y att JUSWINUOTY Ne 19 ALW1d €S!1 NILA1T1INA ASOTONHLA NVOIMAWY AO NVsayNSa BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 62 Monument 12. Carving representing a monkey, from Profile Trench in A-1 (1943 excava- tions). See pl. 5, c, and fig. 53. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY Monument 13. From 1943 excavations in Ra f 2 BULLETIN 153 PLATE 63 Low relief carving and possible glyphs. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 64 Monument 15. Fragments, presumably from same monument, with portions of Jaguar- monster mask(s). See fig. 54 for suggested reconstruction. BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BUEEE RING 153) (PEATE TGS Altar 7, fe See BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY BULLETIN 153 PLATE 66 Wash drawing of fragment of stone mask representing the Jaguar-monster, from base of Middle Tres Zapotes deposit (Trench 13, Tres Zapotes). (Drawing by Edwin G. Cassedy.) INDEX Acosta, J. A., 225 Adobe bricks, 31, 61, 76, 79 Agua Dulce, oil camp, 5 Altar, basalt, 8, 9, 162, 173 carved, 39, 60, 63 Altar 1 (“Jaguar Altar’), 9, 10, 26, 178, 192, 193 (fig.), 194, 197, 198 (fig.), 200, 213 Altar 2, 225 Altar 38, 176 (fig.), 188 (fig.), 190 (fig.), 195, 196, 198 (fig.), 200, 225 Altar 4, 9, 166, 187, 188 (fig.), 189, 193 (fig.), 194, 196, 197, 198 (fig.), 199, 200, 225 Altar 5-95, Was, Laid oS), Les, hese, 188, 189, 190 (fig.), 194, 197, 198 (fig.), 199, 200, 225 Altar 6, 188 (fig.), 196, 198 (fig.), 200, 225 Altar 7, 175, 182-184, 188 (fig.), 190 (fig.), 195, 196, 198 (fig.) Amber pendants, 72 Amethyst bead, 166 Andrews, E. Wyllys, 224, 225 Animal designs, 224 Anklets, 167, 168, 202, 223 Anthropomorphie design, 195 “Aprons,” absence of, 202, 219 Areal relationships, conclusions as to, 230-231 Armbands, 223 Armillas, Pedro, 149 Art relationships, 204-231 Ash, volcanic, used for tempering, 102, 240 Asphalt, 56, 58, 59, 75, 107 Awl, jade, 169 Axes, 63, 76, 210 “Banner,” 181 Bars, ceremonial, 202, 219 Basalt, blocks, 33, 34, 45, 47, 48, 49, 57, 58, 61, 77 columns, 9, 10, 23, 25 (map), 27, 31, 382 (plan), 34, 36, 44, 48, 49, 50, 55, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 77, 79 Basin, stone, 213 Beads, 166-168, 181, 210 amethyst, 166 carved, 168 cylindrical, 166, 167, 168 discoidal, 168 gadrooned, 166, 167, 168 jade, 25, 26, 27, 64, 70, 71, 78, 161, 163 subeylindrical, 168 subspherical, 166, 167, 168 tubular, 161, 162 947310—52 18 Beards, 184, 196, 204 Belts, 135, 186, 156, 180 (fig.), 181, 184, 199, 223 Beyer, Hermann, 152 Bibliography, 241-248 Bird design, 184, 194, 195 (fig), 214, 224 Bird-monster design, 169, 170 (fig.), 194, 195 (fig.), 203 Bird’s head design, 84, 86 (fig.), 189, 168, 182, 195 (fig.), 201 Blocks, basalt, 33, 45, 47, 48, 49, 57, 58, Co (Le sandstone, 9, 175 serpentine, 25, 33, 56, 59, 74, 75 Blom, F., 213 Borbolla, de la, Dr., 153 Bottle, reconstruction of, 120 (fig.), 121 Bowl, asymmetrical, 123 (fig.), 126 basal-flanged, 150 eylindrical, 115 aaa Se (fig.), 90 (fig.), 122, 212 (fig. flaring, with sharply incurved sides, 108 (fig.), 114-115, 125 (table) incurved returned sides, 108 (fig.), 115, 125 (table) incurved side, angular or rounded shoulders, 118 125 (table) open, 92, 101 returned side, with angular shoulder, 118-114, 125 (table) saucerlike, 38, 92, 101 shapes, 108 (fig.), (table), 239 Teotihuacin tripod, 100, 115 tripod, 100, 149 Box, stone, 63, 157, 209, 210 Bracelets, 167, 168, 178, 202 Breechclout, 156, 157, 181, 202, 219 Bricks, adobe, 31, 61, 76, 79 Brickwork, 48, 49, 51, 55, 60, 77 Burials, bundle, 23, 25 (map), 1538, 154, 155 113-115, 125 Caleareous matter, used for tempering, 237, 238, 239 Cap, “liberty,” 220 mitrelike, 184 Capes, 135, 202 Carving, 201, 203, 205, 208, 211 champlevé, 209, 218 Izapa type, 223, 224 jade, 1, 3, 26, 27, 153, 185 Maya, 217, 232 Caso, Alfonso, 226 Catemaco, Veracruz, 100, 149 Catemaco-Santiago Tuxtla horizon, 232 Celts, 25 (map), 39, 55, 69 (plan), 70, 249 250 Celts—Continued 76, 77, 79, 160, 164-165 (fig.), 166, 172, 190 (fig.), 198 (fig.), 199, 214 jade, 27, 55, 64, 70, 79, 165, 193 (fig. ) Olmee, 164 serpentine, 31, 39, 55, 70, 71, 73, 75, 79, 164, 165 Central Group, La Venta, 8, 9, 10, 12, 18, 22, 175 Central Mexican Highland culture, 227— 229 Central Veracruz, 215-217 Ceramics, Black on Brown, 107 (fig.) Brown Lacquer ware, 97-98, 124 (fig.), 125 (table), 127 (table), 128 (table), 129 Catemaco-Santiago Tuxtla ware, 101 chronology, 147-151 Coarse Brown ware, 80, 838, 92-96, 95 (fig.), 97, 104, 114, 115, 117, 123 (fig.), 124 (fig.), 125 (table), 127 (table), 128 (table), 129, 180, 131, 143 Coarse Black ware, 90-92, 101, 114, 123 (fig.), 124 (fig.), 125 (table), 127 (table), 128 (table), 129, 138 Coarse Buff ware, 81-90, 91, 93, 94, OF 995 Oss ee Oa 2S (fig.), 124 (fig.), 125 (table), 127 (table), 128 (table), 129, 130, 131, 143 Coarse Paste Brown ware, 92, 104 Coarse Paste ware, 100, 114, 117 Coarse Red ware, 96-97, 125 (table), 127 (table), 128 (table), 129 Coarse White ware, 91 (fig.), 96, 104, 125 (table), 127 (table), 128 (table) Coiled, 126 Cream-white on red, 235, 237 decoration, 84, 85 (fig.), 86 (fig.), 87 (fig.), 88 (fig), 91 (fig), 92, 94, 96, 97, 98, 100, 103 (fig.)-104 distribution, 104, 126-132 engraved, 84, 85 (fig.), 97 Fine Orange ware, 100, 101, 149 Fine Paste Black, 99, 101, 102, 103 (fig.), 104, 105 (fig.), 111, 289 Fine Paste Buff, 99, 101, 235, 236, 237, 240 Fine Paste Buff on Red, 235 Fine Paste Buff-Orange, (table) Fine Paste Gray, 99, 101, 235, 236, 237, 239, 240 Fine Paste Gray-Black ware, 90, 92, 100, 101, 102, 108, 125 (table), 239 Fine Paste Orange, 99, 100, 101, 235, 236, 237 Fine Paste Orange-Buff ware, 92, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106 125 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY Bull. 153] Ceramics—Continued Fine Paste Wares, 80, 98-101, 101- 104, 109, 110, 112, 114, 115, 127 (table), 128 (table), 129, 1380, 131, 1384, 147, 150, 234, 237, 238, 239 geometric design, 104 incised, 84, 85 (fig.), 86 (fig.), 87 (fig.), 91 (fig.), 92, 94, 95 (fig.), 96, 98, 103, 104, 106 (fig.), 110, 111, Tals, Tal, ally, seal, ee), ale ty La Venta Fine Paste wares, 101- 104 La Venta-Middle Tres ware, 147, 150 linear patterned, 92, 94, 95 (fig.), 104 modeled, 89 (fig), 90 (fig.) monochrome ware, 147, 148 occurrence of, 89, 94-96, 98 painted, 96, 99, 100, 104-107 (fig.), 127 (table), 128 (table), 129, 147, 285 paste composition, 237-2388 polished, 103, 115 polychrome (see also Fine Paste wares), 99, 149, 234 punctate, 88 (fig.), 91 (fig.), 94, 95 (fig.), 104, 129 Red, 235, 239, 240 Red on Brown, 107 (fig.), 123 (fig.) Red on Red, 224 stamped, 86, 88 (fig.), 94, 103 (fig.), 129 textile patterned, 94 thumb-nail decorated, 95 (fig.) Tres Zapotes ware, 94, 96, 98, 99, 101, 102, 115, 121, 126, 133, 149 unpainted, 100, 101 White-rimmed (or Mottled) Black ware, 90, 92, 239 white-slipped, 99, 100, 101, 235, 236, 237, 239 Ceremonial Court, La Venta, 2, 8, 9, 15, 22, 28, 29 (fig.), 30 (diag.), 31, 34, 36, 61, 62, 76, 77, 152 Ceremonial Court (A-1), excavations in, 36-61, 74 summary of structural investiga- tions, 77-79 Cerro de las Mesas, 133, 186, 137, 150, 215, 216 Cerro del Encanto Group, 10 Cerro de San Cristobal, hill, 6 Chalcedony, 145, 146 Chalcocingo, Morelos, México, 228 Charcoal, 28, 32 Chiapas, State of, 4 Chicanel culture, 149, 216, 221, 233 Child’s grave, 72 (plan) Chin straps, 1386, 214, 219, 223, 226 Cinnebar, used for red paint, 56, 63, 64, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 154 Cist, stone walled, 66 (plan), 67, 68, 69 (plan), 71, 72, 73, 160, 164, 166, 167, 170, 201 Clam shell design, 163, 196 Zapotes INDEX Clay Platforms, A-1, 39-40, 41 (plan), 48, 49, 59, 60, 61, 78 Clays, “red-burning,” 101 Coatimundi design, 139 Coatzacoaleos, Veracruz, 4 Coffer, sandstone, (Monument 6), 26, 27, 62, 63, 78, 153, 161, 162, 169, 176, 178, 180, 197, 198 (fig.) 199, 200, 209, 221 Collars, 202 Colors of paste, Ridgway’s, 81-82, 83, 90-91, 92-93, 93-94, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103 Columns, basalt, 9, 10, 28, 25 (map), 27, 31, 32 (plan), 34, 36, 37, 44, 48, 49, 50, 55, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 77, 79 ceramic, 221 green schist, 9 Comalcaleo, Tabasco, 173, 178 Complex A, La Venta, 2, 9, 28, 34, 35 (map), 36, 37, 39, 64, 65, 68, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78, 146, 152, 153, 163, 166, 173, 175 Complex B, La Venta, 9, 175 Copfin, Honduras, 201, 217, 218, 220 Copper, 100, 149 Core, carved obsidian, 71 Court A-1, 9, 36-61, 74, 77-79 Court floor, 78 Court stockade, 77, 79 Covarrubias, M., 3, 152, 159, 192, 226, 228 Crystal pendant, 164 Currasow design, 189 Cylinder, stone, (Monument 14), 71, 72, (Seon AB A182" 210 Datum A, 37, 38, 39, 42, 63 Decorations, ceramic, 84, 85 (fig.), 86 (fig.), 87 (fig.), 88 (fig.), 89 (fig.), 90 (fig.) seulptural, 198 (fig.) Decorative elements, 197-200 Deer jaws, design, 160 (fig.), 161, 162 Dish, compound, 126 flat-based with flaring sides, 108 (fig.), 109-110, 125 (table) flat-based with vertical walls, 108 (fig.), 110-111, 125 (table) open curved-sides with thickened rims, 108 (fig.), 111, 125 (table) open-curved to in-curved sides, 108 (fig.), 111-112, 125 (table) shapes, 108 (fig.), 109-115, 125 (table) small rectangular, 112 Disks, jade, 64 obsidian, 25, 70 reworked pottery, 143-144 Drilling, 172 Drills, 145, 172 Drucker, Philip, 36, 37, 40, 43, 60, 62, 63, 70, 73, 77, 78, 79, 86, 98, 114, 118, 121, 134, 186, 142, 150, 210, 215, 239, 240 Duck heads, designs of, 70, 168, 171 251 Eagle design, 71, 169, 170 (fig.), 194, 195 Eagle-jaguar design, 169 Ear ornaments, 182, 184, 194 jade, 64, 70, 73, 187 Kar piercing, 169 Earplugs, 142, 146, 160 (fig.)—161,162, 164, 168, 187, 190 (fig.), 198 (fig.), 199, 205, 207 Type A, 161 Type B, 161 Har spools, 134, 154, 157, 161, 172, 189, 198 (fig.), 201, 202 jade, 27, 64, 69 (plan), 70, 71, 73, T9 Early Tres Zapotes, 134 Early Uaxactun culture, 96 East Embankment (A-4), 34, 76 East Platform (A-1), 37, 49-59, 76, 78 Bast Trench (A-1), 44-45 Ekholm, Gordon F., 137 El Arbolillo II horizon, 227 El Baul, Guatemala, 222 Excavations, 1942, 10-33 Faunal themes, 195-196 Feather designs, 200, 202, 204, 207, 218, 214 Feet, 186 (figs), 189, 191 Feldspar, 238 Feline monsters, 231 Ferrie oxide, 236 Figures, Danzante, 226 Figurine 1 (jade), 154, 186 (fig. ) Figurine 2 (jade), 155, 186 (fig.) Figurine 3 (jade), 155-156, 186 (fig. ) Figurine 4 (jade), 156-157, 186 (fig. ) Figurine 5 (serpentine), 157, 186 (fig.) Figurine 6 (serpentine), 157 Figurine 7 (serpentine), 157 Figurine 8 (serpentine), 73, 157-158, 185, 186 (fig.), 186 (fig.) Figurine 9, (serpentine), 73, 158, 186 33) Figurine 10 (serpentine), 73, 158-159, 186 (fig.) Figurine 11 (serpentine), (dancing fig- ure), 73, 159, 186 (fig.) Figurine 12 (serpentine), 70-71, 159- 160, 186 (fig.) Fugurines, jade, 238, 25, 26, 70-71, 73, 152, 153-160, 164, 185, 186 (figs.), 210, 211, 215, 219, 224, 225, 226 Figurines, pottery, 4, 11, 79, 80, 81, 180, 132-141 (table), 147, 210-211, 212 animal, 138-139, 141 (table) “Baby-face,” 187, 139, 190 (fig.), 211 Class I-A, 134, 135, 136, 138, 228 Class I-A-I, 134, 136, 210 Class I-A-2, 134, 135, 210 Class I-A-3, 134, 1389, 140, 228 Class I-B, 134, 135, 186 Class I-B-1, 135 Class I-B-2, 135 Class I-B-3, 185, 189 Class I-B-3a, 135, 136, 137 Class I-B-8b, 185 Class I-B-4, 136, 1389, 140 252 BUREAU Figurines, pottery—Continued Class I-C, 136 Class I-C-1, 136, 189, 140 Class I-I’, 136 Class I-G, 136 Class I-H, 136 Class II—A-1, 136, 137, 140 Class II-D, 186 Class III-A, 187, 138, 139, 211, 229 Class III-A-1, 188, 228 Class ITI—A-2, 138, 228, 229 Class III—A-8, 188, 212 (fig.) Class III-B, 138, 1389 “Classic,” 134, 135, 136, 139, 140, PAD, Cut—Featured type, 137 Grotesque, 1386, 140 Highland Type A, 227 Huaxtecan, 211 Laughing Face, 215 Mayan, 211 mold-made, 132, 139, 140, 149, 150 Realistically Modified, 185 Style 1, 188, 1384, 185, 136, 187, 138, 139 Style II, 1383, 134, 136, 137 Style III, 133, 134, 137, 138, 139 taxonomy of, 132-139 type A, 227 Finea Arizona, 224 Finca San Vicente, 173, 179 Fingernail decorations, 88, 95 (fig.) Fish designs, 228 Flagging, limestone, 25, 26 Flares, 164 pottery, 142, 143 Floral motifs, 196, 204 Foraminifera, 239 Forecourt, (A-1), 59-60, 77, 78 Frog designs, 26 Gaming pieces or counters, 144 Geographical setting, 4-8 Globigerina, 239 Glyphlike forms, 181, 183, 184, 197, 199, 214 Grave, child’s, 72 (plan) Great Mound, La Venta, 8, 9, 13, 14 (map), 17 (map), 22, 34, 36, 37, CBs 10 Grindstone, 146 Gualupita IT deposits, 229 Guatemala Highland culture, 221-222 Gulf of Campeche, 4 “Hachas,” 215 Hairdressing, 154, 211 Hammerstones, 146 Handles and lugs, 122, 124 (fig.), 125 (table), 129 Hands, 186 (fig.), 189, 191 jade, 26, 170, 199, 201 Head-dress, 1385, 136, 155, 162, 166, 178, 179, 187, 189, 194, 195, 200, 201, 202, 205, 211, 214, 223 Heads, stone, 9, 205, 222 trophy, 218 OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153] Heart or leaf design, 169 Hematite, 96, 237 mnirror, 56, 64, 76, 154, 163 objects, 25, 26 pendants, 163-164 Hieroglyphic writing, 217 Hornblende, 238 Huasteca, 132, 137 Huaraches, 219 Human features, 186 (figs.), 188 (figs.), 189, 190 (fig.), 191, 201-202, 214, 218, 224, 226 profiles, 189-190 (figs.), 201-202, 218 Human figures, 191, 197, 201-202, 205, 209, 210, 218, 224 Human limbs, 186 (figs.), 202 Human postures, 202, 204 Iguala District, Guerrero, 159 Incensario, 222 Incising, 172, 201, 228 Iron, 234, 236, 238 Iron oxide, 236 Tron pyrites, 158 Isthmus of Tehuantepec, 215 Jade, 2, 71, 78, 146, 150, 152, 1538, 161, 1 210 2125 219 awl, 169 beads, 25, 26, 27, 64, 70, 71, 73, 146, 161, 162 carvings, 1, 3, 26, 27, 79, 221 celts, 27, 55, 64, 70, 79, 165 disks, 64 ear ornaments, 64, 70, 73, 146, 160 (fig.), 161, 162 ear spools, 27, 64, 69 (plan), 70, 71, 73 figurines, 23, 25, 26, 70-71, 73, 152, 153-160, 164, 185, 186 (fig.), 210, 211, 215, 219, 224, 225, 226 hands, 26, 199, 201 mosaic, 72 Olmecan, 230 ornaments, 64, 168, 185 pendants, 23, 27, 70, 160 (fig.), 161, 162, 185, 201 perforators, 169 plaquettes, 147 (fig.), 162 punch, 71 rectangles, 23, 197, 198 (fig.) skull, 64 spangles, 170-171 | tube, 69 (plan), 70, 71 “Jadeite ax,” 210 Jaguar altar (Altar 1), 9, 10, 26, 178, 192, 193 (figs.), 194, 197, 198 (fig.), 200, 213 Jaguar designs, 64, 70, 89 (fig.), 90 (fig.), 122, 139, 161, 162, 164, 165 (fig.), 166, 178, 185, 194, 201, 202— 203, 209, 214 Jaguar features, 192, 193 (figs.), 194 Jaguar mask, 197, 198 (fig.), 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 207 (fig.), 209, 213, 223 INDEX 2a Jaguar-mask pavement, 56, 77 Jaguar-monster design, 179, 180, 182, 192, 193 (fig.), 194, 195, 198 (fig.), 199, 201, 202-208, 204, 205, 206, (fig.), 207 (fig.), 208, 209, 210, ZNSE OM 220 O23 294 226, 2a Jars, 94, 115-119 bodies, 116 (fig.), 118-119 coneave necks, 116 (fig.), 117-118, 125 (table) handles, 116 (fig.), 118 inleaned necks, 116 (fig.), 117, 125 (table) miniature, 239 miscellaneous (table) neckless, with thickened rims, 116 (fig.), 125 (table) Plainware, 119 small thick-walled, 119, 120 (fig.), 121 tall slender necks, 116 (fig.), 118 Jennings, J. D., 122, 142, 145, 164, 168 Jimenez Moreno, Wigberto, 3, shapes, 119-125 KaminaljuyG, Guatemala, 26, 143, 145, 149, 150, 160, 161, 164, 167, 216, 222, Kidder, Alfred Vincent, 122, 142, 145, 161, 163, 164, 166, 168, 170, 219, 222, 224 Kilts, 185, 154, 202 Kinkajou, 184, 204 Knives, obsidian, 145 stone, 144, 145 Krynine, Paul D, quotations from, 4-5 La Farge, O., 213 La Venta, mounds and sherd deposits, 7 (map), 20, 231 “La Venta” culture, 3, 204, 205, 232, 233 La Venta—Middle Tres Zapotes period, 140, 229 Legbands, 223 Leyden plate, 213, 221 Limestone, 159 flagging, 25, 26 slabs, 38, 58, 67 Limon A., Sr. Luis, 153 Lothrop, S. K., 152, 220, 222 Lower Tres Zapotes, 95, 96, 99, 100, 101, 132, 135, 138, 139, 140, 149, 151, 204, 208, 210, 211, 212, 213, 216, 22l e224 22K, 229; 200; Zo, 202, 233, 240 L-shaped figure, decorative motif, 197, 204, 205, 206, 214, 215 Lugs, 122 Mamon horizon, 149, 216, 221 Manganese, 234, 238 Manos, 11, 144, 145 Manufacturing techniques, 172 March, Benjamin, 81 Marine motifs, 196 Mask panels, 220, 221 “Masks,” 189, 180, 181, 183, 190, 192, 193 (figs.), 194, 195, 202 Olmee, 221 Maya art, 197, 199, 200, 201, 203, 204, 2135 214 1G 21s) 218 72200221" 224, 230, 232 Maya sites, 145, 149, 192, 201, 217-222, 231 Mayan figures, 190 (fig.), 192 Mayan stelae, 181 Mayan Tepeu Period, 150 Mayan Tzakol period, 229, 231 Mesoamerica, 80, 84, 110, 121, 122, 126, 129, 166, 231 Mesoamerican culture, 1, 148, 149, 151, 152: 168; 170; 201, 231, 232; 233 Metals, lack of, 149 Metates, 11, 144-145 legged, 213 Mica, 237, 238 Middle American art, 214, 233 Middle Tres Zapotes desposits, 89, 95. 96, 99, 100, 102, 107, 131, 132, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 142, 145, 147, 150, 151, 204, 208, 210, 211, 2A 213) 2222 2288 ook Middle Tres Zapotes Fine Paste sherds, 238-239 Middle Zacatenco culture, 227, 228 Miraflores, material, 182, 224, 230, 231, 233 Mirror, hematite, 56, 64, 76, 154 Mirror back, 216 Moceasins, 202 Mohs scale, 81, 2389 Monkey design, 139, 204 Monkey statue (Monument 12), 78, 173, 179, 180 (fig.), 195 Monte Albian, 222, 225, 226, 227, 231 Monte Albdan I, 226, 230, 233 Monte Alban II, 226, 230 Monument 1, stone, 9, 188 (fig.), 198 (fig.), 200 Monument 2, 188 (fig.) Monument 8, 188 (fig.) Monument 4, 188 (fig.), 197, 198 (fig.), 200 Monument 5, 22, 32, 187, 188 (fig.) Monument 6 (Stone Coffer), 176, 178, 193 (fig.), 194, 197, 198 (fig.), 199, 205, 206, 208, 221 Monument 8, (human figure), 9, 173, 178, 187, 188 (fig.), 189 Monument 9, (human figure), 9, 173, 178, 179, 188 (fig.), 205 Monument 10, (seated figure), 9, 32, 178, 179, 188 (fig.), 199, 205 Monument 11, (Jaguar-monster), 173, 179, 193 (fig.), 205 Monument 12 (monkey statue), 78, 178, 179, 180 (fig.), 193 (fig.), 198 (fig.), 199, 205 Monument 13, (Altar), 39, 63, 78, 173, 180-182, 189, 195, 200, 202, 203 (fig.) 254 Monument 14 (cylinder), 71, 72, 73, 78, 173, 182 Monument 15 (broken), 175, 182, 183, (fig.), 198 (fig.), 199 Monument F (Tres Zapotes), 205 Monument M, (Tres Zapotes), 205 Monuments, stone, 2, 3, 8, 23, 153, 164, 166, 173-184, 185, 186 (figs.), 187, 188 (figs.), 189, 191, 202 Morley, Frances R., and Morley, Syl- vanus Griswald, 214, 217, 218, 219, 220 Mosaic, jade, 72, 170 Mosaic ornaments, 170 Mound, A-1, 32 (plan) Mound A-2, 9, 22, 23, 24 (fig.), 25 (fig.), 28, 34, 36, 39, 61-65, 78, 79, 150, 157, 163, 166, 168, 178 Mound A-3, 22, 34, 36, 64, 65, 66 (chart), 73, 78, 79 excavations, 65-76 Mound A-+4, 22, 36, 65 Mound A-5, 22, 65 Mound, North (A-2), 61-65, 78, 79 Mound excavations in Area A-3, 65-76 Mounds, 3, 7 (map), 8, 10, 22 Upper Tres Zapotes, 99 Nahua dialect, 3 Naranjo stelae, 152, 220 Necklaces, 185, 1386, 162, 163, 168, 180 (fig.), 202 Non-Mayan art, 225 North Mound (A-2), 61-65, 78 Nose piercing, 169 Oaxacan culture, 216, 225-227, 230, 233 Obsidian, 71, 145, 158, 159, 170 core, 71, 169, 170 (fig.), 172, 195, 198 (fig.) disks, 25, 70 knives, 145 Ochre, red, used for paint, 56 Ollas, unslipped, 89, 94 Olmec art. See Olmec culture. “Olmec” culture, 3, 79, 126, 132, 187, 148, 151, 1538, 164, 166, 171, 196, 197, 200, 205, 208, 210, 212, 218, 214, Pay PAG PAG Paty, Pil, Bpyt 2pEy 224, 225, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232023 Olmec problem, ix, 2, 152, 192 Olmee sites, 133, 149, 150, 152, 215 Olmec tribes, 230, 231 Olmecan jade, 230 Ornaments, 201 jade, 64, 168, 185 plumed, 219 Owl design, 184, 195 Oxides, 236 Pacific coast of Chiapas, Guatemala, and Hl Salvador, 222-224 Paint, black, 104, 107, 234, 235, 238 brown, 104 red, 104, 107 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY (Bull. 153] Palenque, 201 Palmas, 215 Palmer, M. Helen, ix Paste, colors of, 81-82, 90-91, 92-93, 93- 94, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103 surface features, 82-84, 91, 93-94, 96, 97, 98, 102-103 tempering materials of, 82, 90-91, 93, 97, 99, 101, 102, 234-240 Pavement, stone-block, (No. 1) 56, 57 (plan), 75, 79 Pavement, stone block (No. 2), (plan), 75, 79 Payon José Garcia, ix Peceary, 228 Pendants, 172, 180, 181, 196, 197 amber, 72 erystal, 164 hematite-mirror, 55, 163-164 jade, 24, 27, 70, 160 (fig.), 161, 162, 163, 185, 197, 199, 201, 202 “Olmec,” 220 Perforators, ceremonial, 169 Petén area, 135, 149, 216, 217-221, 230, PRL GBPr 2B} Phallic emphasis, 224, 225, 226 Phallicism, absence of, 191, 202 Piedra Labrada-San Martin Pajapan region, 213 Piedras Negras, 201, 217, 218, 220 Plant designs, 201, 204, 223 Plaque, serpentine, 147 wooden, 56 Plaquettes, jade, 147 (fig.), 171 Plates, 105 (fig.) Platforms, 8, 9, 31, 86, 37, 42, 48, 44, 48, 74 77, 78 clay (A-1, 39-40, 41 (plan), 48, 49, 59, 60, 61, 78 Hast (A-1), 49, 52 (plan), 53 (plan), 54 (plan)-59, 60, 74, 76, 78 South, (C’C’’), 78 West, 59, 60 Playa de los Muertos, 216 Plumed Serpent motif, 203, 209, 210, 219 Polishing stones, pumice, 146 Post—Tres Zapotes epoch, 100 Rot clayentce2ade: Pot-rest, 120 (fig.), 121, 125 (table), 129 Pottery, miscellaneous, 141-144 Pottery-making techniques, 126 Problematical objects, 143 Projectile points, missing, 146 Proskouriakoff, Miss, ix Proto-Olmec culture, 3 Puerto México, 4 Pumice, 126, 146, 240 Punch, jade, 71 Pyramid, stepped clay, 77 Pyroxine, 238 Quartz, 82, 98, 237, 238, 239, 240 Quartzite sand, 82, 93, 2388 Quirigud, 201, 217, 218, 220 INDEX Rattlesnake design, 213 Rectangles, jade, 24, 197, 204 Reptilian designs, 220 Ricketson, Oliver G. and Ricketson, E. Bey2205 22252238 Ridgway, Robert, 81 Ring stands and feet, 122-125 (table), 129 Rio Tonali, Tabasco, 4 Rock crystal, 70, 71 Round Table Conference, 2, 3 San Isidro Piedra Parada, 223 San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, 166 San Martin Pajapan monument, 213 San Martin Pajapan Volcano, 36 Sandals, 181, 202 Sandstone, blocks, 9, 175 coffer, 26, 27 Saws, 146 Slabs, 26, 68, 79 use for tempering, 93 vessels, 71 Santa Lucia Cozumalhuapa, 223 Santiago Tuxtla, Veracruz, 100, 149 Saville, Marshall H., 152, 178, 210, 213 Sawing, 172, 208 Saws, pottery, 144 stone, 146 Seale, Mohs, 81, 239 Scepter, Mannikin, 219 Scroll designs, 204, 209, 216 Sculptures, stylistic characters of, 185-— 204 Serpent, Feathered, 281 motif, 219, 225 Serpentine, blocks, 25, 33, 56, 59, 74, 75 celts, 31, 39, 55, 70, 71, 78, 75, 79, 164, 165 figurine, 27, 39, 70, 71, 147, 148 (fig.), 157, 159 mask fragment, 210 plaque, 147 Sexual organs, omitted, 189, 211 Shark’s tooth, 26, 196 Shepard, Anna O., ix, 81, 92, 100, 101, 102, 127 Technological Analyses, 234-240 Sherd deposits, La Venta, 7 (map), 10, 11, 12 (table), 28, 38, 92 Sherds, Brown washed, 84 buff-fired, 284, 235, 236, 237, 238 classification, 284-235 La Venta Fine Paste, 239-240 Middle Tres Zapotes Fine Paste, 238-239 oxidized, 234, 235, 236, 238, 239 paste composition, 237-238 pores in, 237, 238 red-fired, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238 reworked, 143-144 rim, 92, 106 (fig.), 111, 112, 118, 115, 116, 117 sub-ash deposits, 240 tempering of, 82, 90-91, 93, 97, 99, 101, 102, 237 255 Sherds—Continued thermal tests, 235-237 Tres Zapotes, 236, 240 unoxidized, 234, 236, 237 Upper Tres Zapotes Fine Paste, 234-238, 239 weathering of, 84, 91, 98, 107 Shook, Edwin M., 122, 142, 145, 164, 168, 224. Simojovel, Chiapas, 190, 214 Skull, human, 196 jade, 64 rock erystal, 164, 196 Slabs, limestone, 38, 58, 67 sandstone, 26, 68, 79 Slip, brown, 97 buff paste, 100 cream-white, 101, 102 lack of, 83, 94 red, 96, 97 white, 96, 99, 100 Smith, Robert E., ix Snake design, 194, 203 Soil types, 11 South Group, 10 Southern Veracruz and adjacent re- gions, 204-215 Spangles, 170-171 Spearthrower, 220 Spinden, Herbert J., 219, 220 Spindle whorls, lack of, 143, 144 Spiral design, 200, 209 Spokeshaves, 145 Stamping, rocker, 86, 94, 103, 129, 228 Stamps, cylindrical, 141, 142 (fig.) Stamps, flat, 143 Statues, 178 monkey, 39, 78 Statuette, Tuxtla, 183, 213, 214 Staves, ceremonial, 202 Stelae, 185, 189, 209 Hight Deer, 222 Mayan, 181 Stela 1: 22, 32, 187, 188 (fig.), 189, 197, 198, (fig.), 201, 213, 225 Stela 2: 9, 173, 174 (fig.), 183, 188 (fig.), 194, 196, 197, 198 (fig.), 199, 200, 202, 208 Stela 3: 22, 78, 173, 175 (fig.), 190 (fig.), 191, 195, 196, 197, 200, 202, 208 Stela 5: 220 Stela 27: 220 Stela A, (Tres Zapotes) 209 Stela C, (Jaguar-monster) (Tres Zapotes), 205, 206 (fig.), 207 (fig.), 208, 209, 211, 213 Stela D, (Tres Zapotes) 210 Steps, 28, 30, 60 Stewart, Richard, photographer, 1 Sting ray tails, 26, 162, 163, 169, 196 jade, 162, 168, 169 Stirling, M. W., 1, 2, 153, 166, 169, 173, 176, 179, 183, 184, 205, 208, 210, 214, 223, 224 Stone, chipped, 145-146 Stone head (Monument 1), 9 256 Stone work, ornamental, 146-147 utilitarian, 144-146 Stratigraphic trenches, 1, 20-22, 99, 125, 126, 131, 182; 145, 146, 152) 1577, 210 Stratigraphic Trench (Str-1), 20, 21, 102, 127 (table), 129, 131, 182, 141 (table), 143, 144, 146 Stratigraphic Trench (Str-2), 21, 28 Stratigraphie Trench (Str-38), 21- 22, 114, 117, 128 (table), 131, 132, 141 (table), 142, 144, 146, 147, 154, 171 Stratitrench (Trench 13), 210 Structural investigations, 22-23, 34-79, T7-79 Structural Investigations, 1943 (Wedel), 34-79 Stylistic features, Summary, 200-204 Summary, 231-233 Sword, obsidian-edged, 202, 220 Technological (Shepard), 234-240 Teotihuacin, 139, 149, 150, 216 Teotihuacan III culture, 149, 2382 Teotihuacin IV culture, 149, 150 Test-pits, 1, 11 (map), 12 (table), 13 (map), 14 (map), 15 (map), 16 (map), 17 (map), 18 (map), 19 (table), 62, 76, 79 Test-pits (T-1 to T-6), 11 (map), 12 (table) Test-pits (T-7 to T-10), 12, 13 (map) Test-pits (T-11 to T-21), 13, 14 (map) (table), 20 Test-pits (T-22 to T-27), (map) ; 17 (table) Test-pits (T-28 to T-31), 16 (map), Analyses 15 17 (table) Test-pits (T-32 to T-83),17 (map), 18 (table) Test-pits (T-34 to T-39), 18 (map), 19 (table) Test—pits (T—-40), 19 Thompson, J. Eric, 196, 214, 222, 223 “Tierra bonita,’ 41 (plan), 45, 46 (plan), 47, 68, 67, 78 Tikal, 170 Tlatileo, 228, 229 Tlatileo—Olmec material, 229 Tombs, 23, 153, 155, 160, 161, 162, 163, 167, 168, 169, 170, 178, 196, 199, 201 basalt columned, 2, 25 (map), 26, 27 Tomb A, 62, 63, 65, 78, 79 Tomb B (stone coffer), 78 Tomb D (child’s), 73, 78 Tomb B, 64, 65, 78 Tonind, 217, 218, 220 “Totonaec” culture, 216 Tourmaline, 238 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 153] Trenches: cross, 177 stratigraphic, 1, 20-22 test, 10-20, 27, 28 Trench, Area A-1, 37-39, 173, 179 Trench, East (A-1), 44-45 Trench (P-2), 28, 29 (fig.), 37, 40 Trench (P-3), 31, 49 Trench (P-4), 32, (plan) Trench, West (A-1), 46 (plan), 47-49 Tres Zapotes, 3, 8, 80, 89, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 100, 101, 102, 114, 119, 131, 132, 184, 185, 186, 187, 189, 142, 145, 147, 148, 150, 204, 205, 209, 202; 213; 215, DUS! 221,225 Triangle designs, 200, 204 Tripods, cylindrical, 149, 150 Trophy heads, 218 Truncated V design, 199, 204 Tube, jade, 69 (plan), 70, 71 Tunics, belted, 202 Turbans, 135, 136, 181 Turtle design, 71, 163 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, 2, 152, 153 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Conference, 2, 197, 200, 225 Tuxtla Mountains, 4, 145 Tuxtla region, 6, 8 Tuxtla statuette, 188, 213, 214 Tzakol culture, 150, 219, 231, 232 Uaxactun, 132, 150, 170, 219, 220 Uaxactun masks 1-8: 220, 221 Uaxactun masks 9-18: 220, 221 Upper Tres Zapotes Fine Paste sherds, 234-238 Upper Tres Zapotes ware, 99, 100, 101, 102, 115, 119, 131, 132, 142, 145, 149, 150, 204, 209, 212, 213, 215, PAU PAL BRisy Sah WS Urns, thick-rimmed, 121 U-shaped design, 200, 204, 206 Vaillant, George C., 152, 227 Valenzuela, J., 100, 149 Veracruz, State of, 4, 95 Veracruz-Western Tabasco region, 3, 133 Vessel feet, 124 (fig.), 125 Vessel forms, 107-125, 108 (fig.), 180 distribution of, 125 (table), 126 Vessels, compound, 122, 123 (fig.) eylindrical, 38 effigy, 106 (fig.), 122, 226, 227 flat-bottomed, 38, 39 piteherlike, 122 rectangular, 104 sandstone, 71 supported-spout, 100 Villahermosa, 32, 173, 178 Voleanie ash, used for tempering, 102, 240 V-shaped design, 215 Wares, 81-107 INDEX 257 Waterman, T. T., 222 X-shaped design, 199, 204 Wedel, Waldo R., ix, 1, 2, 153, 159 Structural investigations, 1948, 34 | yaxchilan figures, 190 (fig.), 220 79 Yokes, stone, 215 Weiant, C. W., 142, 215 Y 4 ; 9 Weights, pottery, 142, 144 ucatin culture, 224-225 West Trench (A-1), 46 (plan), 47-49 Whistles, 139 Zapotecan Cocijo, 226 Willey, Gordon, 126 Zapotec glyph D, 165 Wristlet, 181, 223 Zoque dialect, 3 O ‘ x ate - F 1! : Pf. eye 7 7 | = 1 : ! 7 : cies a in Ru yr Wilt, Pa ue i wl ‘ j rl Ibi 9026 } |