1 Ton OLMEC “Earth Monster” Returns Home – History Blog

In 1958, an archaeological site in southern Mexico City illegally evacuated a giant Olmec sculpture that had returned to its hometown in 1958. A ton of sculptures, also known as the “monster of the earth”, was carved from volcanic rocks from 800 to 400 BC, the heyday of Olmec’s occupation of Chalcatzingo.

Monument 9 depicts a fantastic creature with a wide jaw of cross shape, surrounded by three concentric bands and four brominated flowers in the corner of the outermost band. At the top of the opening are a pair of tilted eyes with flame brows. There are two raindrops on each eye. Scholars believe that complex geometric and natural patterns symbolize different planes of existence in the Olmec universe, the design represents a mythical mountain and its entrance to the cave, a gateway to the underworld, with the stylized head of Jaguar, with the openness. Styled jaw. The bottom of the mouth is worn, which indicates that people may have passed through the hole, which is used as a sacred passage in rituals.

Founded around 1500 B.C., Chalcatzingo became the main regional ritual center of Olmec culture, where many temples, monuments and Bas reliefs were built. Archaeologists believe that the monumental basic relief has symbolic intentions, and visitors will follow a firm route to see the sculptures, leaving behind a dedication, perhaps like their interactions, like the Jaguar Mouth 9 climbing through the monument.

The site was first explored and recorded by archaeologists in the 1930s, but they barely scratched the ground, and robbers were able to steal stolen and traffic materials that had never been officially recorded. Monument 9 was first published in 1968, when it was restored and in a private collection in the United States. It was seen in pieces in the yard of local farmers 10 years ago. Excavations in the 1970s discovered the plundered disturbed soil of Monument 9.

Archaeologists began a consistent investigation into the looting and illegal exports of Monument 9 in 2005, but it took years to browse the complexity of evidence-based collections and legal procedures. Eventually, in 2022, the Antiquities Trafficking Department of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office was involved, and their investigation into Olmec Antiquities Traffic rediscovered the monument in a private collection in Denver, Colorado. Mexican diplomatic relations and heritage authorities are able to negotiate repatriation.

On May 19, 2023, Monument 9 officially returned to Mexico. Its first stop was the Morelos Regional Museum of Cuernavaca, where it took 21 months to recover and stabilize to complete its great journey home last Stand.

Moving a ton, 1.8 meters high and 1.5 meters wide relief is not a small feat. Museum author Juan Salvador Miravete Barrios, who has 20 years of experience, described the action as one of the biggest challenges of his career. With the help of a professional team and police escort, the monument crossed 75 kilometers of winding roads and returned to the land that was first carved 2,500 years ago.

People at Jantetelco welcome ancient artifacts with open arms. Rewards celebrated with a vibrant parade with traditional dances, fragrance of copal and cheers of joy. It seems that my long-lost relative has finally returned home. The streets are decorated with colorful paper decor and flowers, reflecting the community’s respect for its heritage.

It was unveiled on February 18 at the newly renovated Chalcatzingo Museum and is now permanently displayed.