Mexican Archaeologists find 2,800-year-old Olmec Monument: (interesting story)

Originally posted by Julie Washington
Amazing find - thanks for sharing! S & F

First thing that came to my mind:

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

I agree with you Julie Washington.

Left cat: Mouth is open: Speak evil
Middle cat: Eyes covered: See no evil
Right cat: Sound waves coming into ear: Hear evil

This corresponds to the Japanese Three Wise Monkeys, with a twist.

The source that popularized this pictorial maxim is a 17th century carving over a door of the famous Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan. The carvings at Toshogu Shrine were carved by Hidari Jingoro, and believed to have incorporated Confucius’s Code of Conduct, using the monkey as a way to depict man’s life cycle.

Three Wise Monkeys

This may be the first direct link that ties the Olmecs to the Japanese culture. Remember the discussion we had on ATS about the 3 sacred objects of Japan?

Yata no Kagami - The sacred mirror
ATS Thread: Ise Grand Shrine of the Sun in Japan

Imperial Regalia of Japan

Originally posted by anon72

Amazing the time and resources that must went into these things.
Must have done them in their spare time..

They had no planes, trains, or automobiles.

Also, they probably didn't spend too many weekends by laying on the couch; with the air conditioner on; a case of cold beer in the fridge; while watching TV; and playing a game online; while texting a friend; to let him know about the tweet they just read.

Occasionally, they may have become a bit bored.




reply to post by SLAYER69

Originally posted by SLAYER69

Do you see the remnant of an arm near the top-center of this one?
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b8b0addbdd6e.jpg[/atsimg]

I may be misinterpreting your statement, but I'm not sure.

The use of the word 'remnant' leads me to conclude, that you are suggesting that there was more to this particular carving, that has been worn off over thousands of years.

To me, it looks like the exact opposite. I see a project that was started, but was never finished.

Wonderful find! Thank you so much for shareing..The Olmec's are a very interesting culture they seem to have loved there monuments and spent alot of time carvings them out..The Three Felines found are just amazing and beautiful S&F

reply to post by BrokenCircles


A pessimist says the glass is half empty.
The optimist says the glass is half full.

I'll go with the engineer's opinion.

The glass was twice the size needed to begin with....

reply to post by SavedOne

yes they look like masks but maybe they were pets and wearing muzzles like our dogs

reply to post by geraldcole
you are right ive never thought of it like that before is a lot of work to take background out and leave drawing raised on rock like that interesting as to why they would do it like that

reply to post by SLAYER69

Originally posted by SLAYER69

A pessimist says the glass is half empty.
The optimist says the glass is half full.

I'll go with the engineer's opinion.
The glass was twice the size needed to begin with....

The realist was simply asking an honest question, that in turn received an inconclusive answer. I suppose I could have worded it differently, but it was meant as a sort of question.

I know nothing about this picture. I do not know when or where it was taken. If he was there, the realist could easily reach an accurate conclusion, pertaining to this particular query. Another picture, from a different angle, would also be helpful.

As of now, I have only seen 1 image of this. That image was taken from an angle that is perpendicular to the carving itself. My mind then automatically uses the shadowing, to help it decide, what it actually is that I am seeing.

At times, shadows can be deceiving.

reply to post by BrokenCircles

To me, it looks like the exact opposite. I see a project that was started, but was never finished.

I have to agree with you. It look like it was ready to be worked on more in the Arm area. I don't see any breaking off or sudden stops etc.

I am about ready to say.... except I am really starting to like this topic and area, that maybe if they didn't spend so much time on rock carvings and whatnots... they would have more time to work on advancing the culture.

I mean, they suppossedly built the huge temple/prymaids and ajoing cities but they couldn't get past the basic barbaric tendicies of human killing/sacrafice etc? Don't seem to smart to me.

Originally posted by TechUnique
Amazing!
Did they worship the animals like gods I am guessing?

Or just a deep respect for nature and the Animal kingdom?

The detail and scale of these monuments is Amazing. It makes me wonder how humble and ego-less these people must of been! S+F

They used animal aspects to communicate power just like all the other cultures of the earth. Just look at some of the kings names of the cultures the Olmec influneced ...Lord 8 Deer "Jaguar Claw"....horns for driving, claw for slashing....the guy was an early Mixtec conquistadora. Very egocentric vainglorious use of animal aspect to represent power not unlike the Egyptian Scorpion King. The there was the cult of the Jaguar Priests.....human sacrificers....also sacrificed lepords and jaguars under some convoluted ideas about gaining power by releasing the cats spirit to gain its power. Not very ego-less at all but rather a form of high egocentric shamanism.

Has anyone else noticed how these cats appear to be sitting next to a wave-like carving on the right of the stonework?

Given that most cats don't like water, it seems a little odd to carve these animals with a wave. My guess is that this is a relief depicting some sort of story, or perhaps even a historical event.

The more I look at stonework such as this, the more I feel that this sort of stuff was built by our ancestors to try to leave us a message, or a warning, about our past. It is just frustrating that the information left behind by these people has been destroyed, lost or never fully investigated.

I really do feel that we still have a massive amount to learn, and that they are trying to tell us something even now.

reply to post by dampnickers

Has anyone else noticed how these cats appear to be sitting next to a wave-like carving on the right of the stonework?

You Sir, have an excellent eye. I like the way you think.

I would say even more-on the line of thinking you noted.... maybe it was something about "a big Wave" hitting them etc. Like a tidal way..... that wiped out their ancestors.... Killing/Wiping out Atlantis?

I think we will have to see whatelse is uncovered in that area. See it if all fits together and tells a story.

It has to be a riddle.

Every element of the scene is important.

1. The wave on the right is coming towards the cats.
2. The first cat sitting down hears the wave.
3. The second cat sitting down has his eyes closed and something is on his forehead.
4. The third cat standing up is saying something.

Who can break the riddle?

reply to post by lostinspace


Dam.... Very interesting.

I don't know if a riddle but heck.. why not.

Maybe they were and odd bunch like that. A leisure type of game perhaps.

Intersting concept.

People would pay to see the stone carvings. You have to remember, this was the only real entertainment in the area. What we see today was the disneyland of that time. This was the highth of technology, like going to a 3d movie. Each carving had a show to go with it. The whole idea that pre columbian art was mostly about religion is wrong. Religion was entertainment. These are like DVDs.

reply to post by earthdude

The whole idea that pre columbian art was mostly about religion is wrong. Religion was entertainment.

Fascinating concept. And, I can see it.

The wife and I have decided to go to the region and try to see for ourselves what the deal was.

I have to agree with you, on a whim... They couldn't have spent all their time building manoth cities/temples without some fun...

Thank you for the mind kick.

I saw that this story is now hitting the main news sites. It seems there is a lot of interest in this topic.

I can't wait to go to the region and have a look-see for myself.

We started watching Mel Gibson's Apocalypto and got all excited!!

I have a whole new appreciation for the movie since learning so much here at ATS. It only fueled the wifes and I desire to go there. Only 10 years to go.... ugh (retirement vacation)