Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Of the eighteen known Colossal Heads attributed to the Olmec, ten heads
were found on the San Lorenzo Plateau and these weigh between six tonnes
and 25 tonnes. They vary in height between one and a half metres to nearly
three metres. Their circumference varies from just over three metres up to
nearly six metres (Clewlow, et al., 1967). Their source is accepted as being
from or near Cerro Cintepec in the foothills of the Tuxtla Mountains (Williams
and Heizer, 1965). The straight line distance is around 80 kilometres or 50
miles with swamps, flood plains and many rivers that must be crossed.
At least one head is believed to have been a reused altar stone (Porter,
1989). The heads are noteworthy for their broad noses, short faced styles and
having a flat backed form. The latter observation may be a clue to the method
of transport as striations are visible, and such marks could be caused by direct
contact with the ground, conversely these may be created by sculptors
(Clewlow, et al., 1967).
A study using and testing various parameters essential for viable transport
concluded that water routes would not be viable due to environmental,
watercraft and crew capability limitations (Hazell, 2013, Hazell, 2011). These
uncertainties indicate the difficulties of conflicting evidence and the need for
robust data analysis of transport routes and methods. Many other smaller
stones were moved and used in other sculptures, but the size and mass of the
Heads makes their retrieval over such a distance and challenging terrain
logistically complex. The GIS analyses, as shown in the various figures,
indicated viable corridors that would avoid most river crossings, swamps and
adverse gradients. Further analysis suggested that land transport was viable by
using a direct contact dragging process as soil bearing capacity of dominant
soils was adequate even in the vicinity of floodplains (Hazell, 2011). The
known technology of the Olmec indicated their willingness and capacity to
construct causeways to overcome problems associated with the floodplains
(Cyphers, 1997).
M
EGALITHIC
T
RANSPORT BY
L
AND
While slope analyses formed an important part of the investigation,
identifying viable land routes had to include the avoidance of wide or fast
flowing rivers, flood plains and swamps. Gradient is a major constraint when
hauling megaliths uphill or while maintaining control during descents, as
ethnographic records and replication experiments clearly describe (Dillon,
2004, Heyerdahl, 1958, Richards and Whitby, 1997). Arguably, significant
