La Venta Pyramid (Complex C)
La Venta Great Pyramid · Complex C Pyramid · La Venta Mound
Middle Formative Olmec 1000–400 BCE (pyramid c. 1000–600 BCE)·Olmec·🇲🇽 Tabasco, Huimanguillo, Mexico
About
About La Venta Pyramid (Complex C)
Olmec capital La Venta (1000–400 BCE) great pyramid Complex C: 31–33 m high clay mound (150 × 130 m base, volume 100,000 m³), earliest known intentional pyramid in Mesoamerica (1000 BCE) – uniquely fluted conical shape with 12 ridges and valleys mimicking nearby volcanoes (Stirling 1940s). Plaza with buried massive offerings of serpentine blocks and 16 jaguar mosaics. First American civilization mass labour monument.
Why it mattersEarliest pyramid in Mesoamerica; demonstrates Olmec as mother culture and volcano-cult mountain effigy.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Fluted shape intentional volcano effigy vs erosion artifact
Theories
- 01Michael Coe's Mound C as artificial volcano San Martín mimicry; maize mountain symbolism
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1000–600 BCE (peak 600 BCE)
- Period
- Middle Formative Olmec 1000–400 BCE (pyramid c. 1000–600 BCE)
- Culture
- Olmec
- Purpose
- Ceremonial pyramid-platform for elite temple atop
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1000–600 BCE (peak 600 BCE)
Initial construction
c. 1388 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
18.1033° N · 94.0402° W · 20 m · 3 mapped features
Complex C conical pyramid
pyramidFluted 31 m clay pyramid south plaza end
18.1033° N · 94.0402° WBuried serpentine massif 1 (514 blocks)
offeringHidden serpentine platform buried votively
18.1035° N · 94.0405° WAltar 4 and colossal head plaza
altarAltars with niche figures and heads
18.1040° N · 94.0400° W
Gallery