I’ve recently modified some of these pages showing historical, named, and known early Afro-Americans. These pages are presented as new material for those who joined recently and updated material for the old-timers.
Most of these handsome fellows have the big nose and lips the African /black (not in color but label) /Negro has been noted for:
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The Olmec inscriptions record the names and deeds of many political officials, religious leaders and Kings (Winters, 1997). The Olmec inscriptions indicate that each Olmec town was ruled by either a governor or King, and that their was a recognized religious leader for the entire community (Winters, 1997). The Olmec King was usually referred to as Tu. The Olmec term for governor was Ku. Interestingly, some of the Olmec rulers were referred to as the Ku and Tu. This may suggest that the Olmec civilization may have been organized into a confederation of city-states lead by a recognized emperor . The Olmec emperor may have appointed the local government heads or Ku (governors). The fact that some Olmec rulers referred to themselves as Ku Tu, or both governor and King may reflect the Olmec Emperor's appointment of conquered Kings as governors over Olmec cities they formerly mastered as a result of divine right.
Bi Popo
Inscription of King Bi Popo
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Clyde - The question has always been: What do the heads represent? You seem to be suggesting that the heads functioned just like a statue, in that it was intended as an accurate depiction of the ruler for posterity. Am I reading you right?
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quote:Originally posted by Mike111: Clyde - The question has always been: What do the heads represent? You seem to be suggesting that the heads functioned just like a statue, in that it was intended as an accurate depiction of the ruler for posterity. Am I reading you right?
Correct. The symbols engraved on the heads are the names of the rulers.
This was supported by the name of BiPopo Cascajal tablet.
On the back of the Teo mask we find an inscription. The are six columns of text on the Teo mask. Some researchers refer to this writing as Epi-Olmec or Isthmian. In reality this is just the heiroglyphic form of Olmec writing. This form of writing combines two or more singular Olmec signs to form messages.
In the first column of the Teo Mask inscription we read the following:“(1) Cause (here) the conferring of all virtue to this very good abode.(2)Admiration indeed (Oh) Governor. Indeed (you are) wonder. (3) Thou (art) a spirit of tranquility .(4) (Thou art like) the Jaguar (a master of the bush).(5) Righteousness takes root here in this tomb of (6) Na Po Ngbe.(7) This habitation of the devotee (is) a habitation of propriety. (8) Order (Na Po Ngbe) this object of respect to be an envoy on a mission (9) (to) hold upright purity. He who is a powerful spirit (in) thine tomb.(10) Righteousness takes root here (in your) tomb.(11) [Na Po Ngbe] A boundless source of great spiritual tranquility (your) abode. The tomb is powerful.(12) lay low (the celebrity) [in the tomb] to realize spiritual tranquility.”
One of the most interesting political elites of the Olmec was Bu. Bu is the kneeling figure from Veracruz, known as the "Shaman in Transformation" (Gutherie, 1995: 169-170).
The San Bartolo pyramid has two murals. One of the murals is of a procession of people on a boat . The other mural is of King Tali, sitting on his pyramid.
On the boat there are a number of figures. Moving from right to left we see four standing figures nearest the end of the boat. These figures are carrying bundles raised above their heads.
In front of these figures we see several symbols. These symbols provide context to the procession. There are a number of female figures on the boat. The woman near the Corn God has writing symbols on their faces. The kneeling figure holding the vase on the far left side toward the end has the words gyo ti “righteous cult specialist” on her cheek. The standing female figure in front of the last three symbols placed in front of the person carrying gifts has the words ti i “she is righteous” written on her cheek.
Most researchers have assumed that this pyramid was built by the Maya.
Although this is the popular view, this pyramid was probably built by the Olmec. And the Maya probably built a new pyramid over the original Olmec pyramid. The person in the coronation scene was Governor
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The major Epi-Olmec inscriptions have also been deciphered (Winters, 1997). These inscriptions are found in Jaguar Pyramids found under Mayan pyramids. It is becoming increasingly clear that the Olmec played a prominent role in the rise of Mayan civilization. In Guatemala, we find jaguar stucco masks on the pyramids of EI Mirador Structure 34, Cerros Structure 5C-2nd, E-VII Sub at Takalik Uxaxatun, and Structure 5D 22-2nd at Tikal. These jaguar masks are identical to Olmec jaguar masks: Stela C Tres Zapotes, the La Venta Sarcophagus, and Monument 15 La Venta. In this presentation, we test the hypothesis that there is a correlation between the pre-Classic Guatemalan writing and the (Epi)Olmec writing of Mexico. The purpose of this project is to compare these symbols to fully decipher the inscriptions of Guatemala, and to learn more about the religious and political system of the pre-Classic Guatemalans.
There are interesting Epi-Olmec inscriptions associated with the San Bartolo mural. The San Bartolo mural is identical to the faces on the Chalchuapa, EI Salvador Olmec Maize God (Clark & Pye [2000] 312), and the figure wearing the maize god mask of La Venta Monument 44 (Clark & Pye [2000] 302). The results of the research indicate that the hieroglyphics associated with Guatemalan ancient tombs and the monuments from EI Baul, Abaj Takalik, Chiapa de Corzo, and Tres Zapotes have Maya type glyphs and are different from Classic Mayan writing but identical to the (Epi)Olmec signs on the side panel of the Mojara monument.
The San Bartolo, Guatemala murals are very beautiful they were discovered by William Saturno of the University of New Hampshire. These murals were found in an unexcavated pyramid. Entering a looter’s trench Dr. Saturno dug into the pyramid and discovered the murals. Much of the mural was destroyed when the Maya built another pyramid over the original structure. In the San Bartolo mural we see pictures of the coronation of an Epi Olmec King
The Epi-Olmec inscriptions record calendrical dates, in addition to important information on the reigns of Governor TuTu at Tuxtla, and King Yo Pe of Mojarra. Yo Pe was born on 21 May 143 AD, he was recognized as the ruler of Mojarra and also the Se Gyo (religious leader with considerable wonder making ability).
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Thanks Marc for the support. It was less than ten years ago that we had very little published Olmec text so we could not really investgate the history of the Olmec rulers. The discovery of the Cascajal tablet is very important because it provided us with collateral text to support the name of one of the Olmec heads.
It will be almost impossible to provide accurate dates for the rule of each Olmec leader depicted in the Olmec heads since the strategraphy of the sites were hastely done because of the oil that is being taken from the area ,I believe.
Yet the association of the Cascajal tablet in an area where the Olmec heads were originally found offer us hope to gain keen insight into the legacy of the Olmec rulers represented among the giantOlmec heads.
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Why is it that Mayans and Olmecs don't look anything alike?
It seems to me that the Olmecs were overrun by an Asian people, the Clover culture.
-------------------- Across the sea of time, there can only be one of you. Make you the best one you can be. Posts: 4028 | From: NW USA | Registered: May 2005
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My view has widened over time. I feel that while the latter Mayan were non-African in facial appearance that the earlier Mayan (as those I have posted in this thread) did have African facial features. And, hence, hailed from Africa as did the Olmec.
quote:Originally posted by osirion: Why is it that Mayans and Olmecs don't look anything alike?
It seems to me that the Olmecs were overrun by an Asian people, the Clover culture.
One reason may be that the Mayan people probably originated in the American Southwest and only recently arrived in Mexico. Years ago I believe I read that the Olmec had spread their influence into North America--but I can't remember the source.
Clearly during Pre-Classic times there were Blacks already in Mexico. These Blacks like the Ocos probably date back to the original settlers.
It is interesting to note that the earliest colonial Olmec people dating after 900 BC looked Polynesian.
This suggest to me that Polynesian or Classical mongoloid people early settled America--even before the Amerindian type.
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