The Olmec civilization of the Gulf Coast of Mexico raised stone sculptures that survived to our era, the most famous are the heads. The one in Santiago Tuxtla called La Cobata is the biggest of all. It weighs 40 tons.
Civilization, which is often referred to as the first in Mesoamerica, the mother of all cultures of the region, was born in about 1200 BC. The most fascinating and admired are the colossal Olmec heads. Not many were found. They all hold some similarities. Each was carved from a single basalt boulder and often was transported a distance up to 100 km, to the destination. Most of the heads have a helmet. It probably the one the Olmec used for protection in battle. The fact that these giant sculptures depict only the head may explain the beliefs in Mesoamerican culture that it is here, where hidden are emotions, experiences, and the human soul. Each head is also different from the others in some form. La Cobata has eyes closed; it is believed that it represents the dead person.
The second head in town is located in the local museum. That one is much smaller. Head has pierced ears and unique braided hair, bound with tassels.
