3D Tour: Olmec Head, La Venta Monument 4
Olmec Head: La Venta Monument 4 – the Old Warrior
Location: La Venta Park, Villahermosa, Mexico
Size: 2.26 meters (7.4 ft) high by 1.98 meters (6.5 ft) wide and 1.86 meters (6.1 ft) deep
Weight: 19.8 tons
Age: Middle Preclassic (700–400 BC)
Originally Found: La Venta, Huimanguillo
Material: Basalt
Olmec Monument 4 from La Venta is a stunning example of ancient artistry and ingenuity. This colossal stone head, along with its companions, heads 2 and 3, once stood at the northern entrance of Complex A in the Olmec settlement of La Venta.
The Old Warrior
The Olmec Head, La Venta Monument 4 is a stunning example of ancient artistry and ingenuity. This colossal stone head, along with its companions, Olmec heads 2 and 3, once stood at the northern entrance of Complex A in the Olmec settlement of La Venta. Positioned like guards, these sculptures flanked and greeted visitors to one of the most important ceremonial centers of the Olmec civilization. Monument 4’s careful craftsmanship and unique details make it stand out, even among the other amazing Olmec works.
Striking Features of La Venta Monument 4
At over six feet tall, Monument 4 exhibits meticulously modeled features. The almond-shaped eyes, worn albeit wide nose, profiled cheeks, and thick lips create a lifelike impression of a powerful figure. This figure, likely a warrior-ruler, wears an elaborate helmet adorned with a bird’s claw and other motifs, symbols that might reflect status or ceremonial importance. Two large, intricately decorated ear-spools complete the regal presentation, emphasizing the subject’s elite status.
La Venta Monument 4, Olmec Head 3D Scan
Explore the 3D model in detail using this interactive viewer—rotate, zoom, and pan to view from every angle:
Transport and Material
What’s equally impressive is the journey this monument undertook even before being sculpted. The basalt used to create La Venta Monument 4 originated in Cerro Cintepec, located in the mountainous Los Tuxtlas region of Veracruz. Transporting these massive stones over 60 miles to La Venta was no small feat. It showcases the Olmec’s remarkable organizational skills and the significance they placed on honoring their rulers or deities through monumental art.
Cultural and Historical Importance
As part of a trio marking the entrance to La Venta’s sacred spaces, La Venta Monument 4 offers a glimpse into the Olmec worldview. Its placement, iconography, and craftsmanship not only reflect the Olmec’s reverence for leadership but also their advanced understanding of art and symbolism—traits that deeply influenced later Mesoamerican cultures.
From the Visitor Sign
This head, along with heads 2 and 3, was placed facing north at the entrance of Complex A of the pre-Hispanic settlement of La Venta. Its facial features resemble the others’. However, this representation of a warrior-ruler has different iconographic elements. His face is modeled more carefully, showing large, almond-shaped eyes, a wide nose, profiled cheeks, thick lips, half-open mouth, which reveals part of the teeth. It has a helmet at the crown of the head, which is decorated with a bird’s claw and other motifs. Two large decorated earspools can also be seen. The raw materials used for this monument come from deposits in Cerro Cintepec – exploited by the Olmec – in the mountainous region of Los Tuxtlas, in Veracruz.
Let us know what you think about this Olmec head. Have you seen it in person or want to see it? Let us know in the comments below.
Otherwise, check out the other Olmec 3D Scans
Part of the MEC Luke Caverns Olmec Tour