1968.33 Tablet with incised symbols (Olmec, Ahuelican, Guerrero, Mexico)

The sages of Olmec civilization etched their creed on polished stone artifacts and then rubbed red paint into the patterns. This small, carved greenstone tablet has been called the earliest example of Olmec hieroglyphic writing, but its incised symbols are not actually writing but represent the only known image of the Olmec concept of the cosmos.

The cosmic diagram has six parts. On the top is a "crossed bands" motif in a square, surrounded by thirteen nubs. The crossed bands are associated with sky or center (or sky-center) in most symbol systems of Mesoamerica. Thirteen reinforces the notion of sky, since there are thought to be multiple levels of the heavens in most Mesoamerican cultures. Below the "crossed bands" is a three-branched object with vegetation on the ends of the branches. This is most likely a representation of the World Tree (Cosmic Tree) that unites the levels of the cosmos. Flanking the World Tree are four ovals, which probably symbolize maize kernels or the four directions and their associated colors. Below the World Tree is a stepped motif that likely represents a mountain, pyramid-temple, or ancestor symbols. The curved element is analogous to the jaws of the earth, and the two vertical shapes may represent raindrops at the Three-Stone-Place, the center of the night sky. The three dots at the bottom of the composition are the most enigmatic part of the composition, and may refer to the number three symbolically. Ultimately, this plaque records the story of creation: it shows the World Tree sprouting out of Creation Mountain. The tree represents the renewed sky; the mountain represents the renewed earth; and the Three-Stone-Place represents the hearth, the place of First Father's rebirth as Maize.

It is unknown how such a plaque would have been used. It is not drilled for suspension, could not have been worn as a pendant, and is neither a ceremonial celt or other type of regalia. It may be analogous to the large mosaic pavements of the Olmec site of La Venta, Tabasco, and was perhaps was also buried at an Olmec ceremonial center as a reference to the cosmic entities served by local rulers and their people.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Olmec: AAT: 300017051

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Guerrero (state): TGN: 7005585

Ahuelicán (inhabited place): TGN: 7350170

greenstone (rock): AAT: 300386691

stone: AAT: 300011176

carving: AAT: 300053149

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

incising: AAT: 300053847

paint (coating): AAT: 300015029

Middle Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016973

Formative Period (Preclassic): AAT: 300016973

Preclassic (Archaic / Formative / Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016967

Maize God (Hun Hunahpu / First Father / Mesoamerican and Maya deity): DMA

sculpture: AAT: 300047090

tablets (information artifacts): AAT: 300028879

hieroglyphics (scripts / writing): AAT: 300028721

green (color): AAT: 300128438

red (color): AAT: 300126225

cosmic diagram (cosmos / cosmic geography / cosmic landscape): DMA

cosmology (cosmological / disciplines): AAT: 300054294

creation (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300069002

tree of life (general motif / axis mundi /cosmic axis / world axis / world tree): AAT: 300312112

Three-Stone-Place (Mesoamerican mythical place of creation): DMA

Creation Mountain (Mesoamerican doctrinal / religious concept): DMA

mountains: AAT: 300008795

sky: AAT: 300263064

foliation (pattern): AAT: 300165104

plant-derived motifs: AAT: 300164599

maize (zea mays species): AAT: 300375398

corn (zea mays species): AAT: 300375398

step pattern: AAT: 300010229

crossed bands motif (motif): DMA

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

early 1960s: Found in Ahuelicán, Guerrero, Mexico [1], [2]

From 1968: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas Art Association Purchase, purchased from Teochita, Inc., New York (Frances Pratt, dealer) [2], [3], [4]

[1] The main source for this provenance was existing provenance information in TMS. No other supporting information found in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object Files. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is Collections / Object Information Sheet (n.d., copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[3] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated December 26, 1968, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[4] The Dallas Art Association is the predecessor to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. The name was abandoned in 1970. Works from this collection were transferred to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1968.33