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These figurines include not only the numerous figurines made from Terracotta , but those carved from Jade , Serpentine , Nephrite , Basalt , and other minerals and stones. BABY-FACE MOTIF One unique Motif associated with the Olmec culture is the "baby-face" figurine . These small hollow ceramic figurines are easily recognized by the chubby body, the baby-like face, and the slit-like slanting eyes. Given the sheer relative numbers of baby-face figurines unearthed, they undoubtedly fulfilled some special role in the Olmec culture. However, what they represented is not known. Compare baby-face figurines here, and here, and here. ELONGATED MAN Another common motif is the "elongated man" . These figurines are generally standing and often carved from jade. They can be characterized by their thin limbs and their elongated, bald, flat-topped heads. Another example can be seen here, and here, and here. Some figurines combine the pudgy "baby-face" body with the "elongated man" head . Offering 4 at La Venta At the La Venta archaeological site, archaeologists found what they subsequently named Offering 4 . These figurines had been ritually buried and covered over with three layers of clay along with evidence that they had previously been dug up and re-covered. Offering 4 consists of sixteen male figurines positioned in a semi-circle in front of six jade Celts . Two of the figurines were made from Jade , thirteen from Serpentine , and one of reddish granite. This granite figurine one was positioned with its back to the celts, facing the others. All of the figurines had similar classic Olmec features including bald elongated heads. They had small holes for earrings, their legs were slightly bent, and they were undecorated -- unusual if the figurines were gods or deities. Here's another view of Offering 4 One interpretation is that this particular formation represents a council of some sort -- the fifteen figurines seem to be listening to the one, with the celts forming a backdrop. Another researcher has suggested that the granite figure is an initiate. As the name implies, Offering 4 is one of many ritual burials uncovered at La Venta, including the four Massive Offerings and four mosiacs representing stylized jaguar masks. WERE-JAGUARS The Were-jaguar is a common motif in the Olmec culture, and was carved into the surfaces of Stelae and altars, on celts and votive axes, as well as being the subject of figurines. Some researchers go so far as to label the downturned or frowning mouth so common in Olmec figurines and masks as a "feline" characteristic. Figurines labelled as were-jaguar show a much wider variety of styles and subjects than the baby-face or elongated man figurines. The subjects can range from human-like figurines to those that are almost completely jaguar . Likewise, there are several were-jaguar figurines where the subject appears to be in a stage of transformation . This figurine shows an elongated man holding a were-jaguar infant similar to the one shown at the base of Altar 5 at La Venta . TRANSFORMATION FIGURINES In addition to the were-jaguars, many other Olmec figurines combined human and animal features, including this were-bat and this were-eagle . Although figurines showing such combinations of features are generally termed "transformation figures", some researchers argue that they represent humans in animal masks or animal suits. Compare the transformation figurines here, and here, and here. NATURALISTIC FIGURINES Despite the many stylised figurines, Olmec-period artisans and artist also portrayed humans very naturalistically, as in this bust, this figurine (nicknamed the wrestler ), and this figurine who looks strikingly similar to Patrick Stewart . FETAL STYLE FIGURINES Several Olmec-period figurines seem to resemble human fetuses (compare [http://research.famsi.org/portfolio_hires.php?search=olmec&image=6145b&display=8&rowstart=96 this] and this ). In their 1999 article, Carolyn Tate and Gordon Bendersky analyse head-to-body ratios and conclude that these figurines are naturalistic sculptures of fetuses, and discuss the possibility of infanticide and infant sacrifice. SUMMARY Figurines from Formative Period show a consistency of style and subject throughout nearly all of Mesoamerica. While the extent of Olmec control over the areas beyond their heartland is not yet known, Olmec motifs, styles, and subjects were widespread in the centuries from 1000 to 500 BCE. EXTERNAL LINKS REFERENCES
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