File number:- mga0082

© South American Pictures/ Tony Morrison

COlmec, Mexico. Columns of basalt have been discovered at many Olmec sites. It is believed they were used to delimit territory or were erected in places where spirits, good and evil were thought to exist. Basalt often occurs naturally in a columnar form so the pieces did not require extra shaping.

Parque Museo de La Venta. Estado de Tabasco, Mexico