The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Colossal Head 4 (replica)
Olmec Culture
— San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Vera Cruz, 1200-900 B.C.E. —
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, November 22, 2010
1. Colossal Head 4 (replica) Marker
This portrait of an Olmec ruler is among 17 colossal heads known from one of the world’s great ancient civilizations. Without wheels or iron tools, the Olmec created spectacular monumental sculptures and ceremonial centers on Mexico’s Gulf Coast. In 1946, Smithsonian archaeologist Matthew W. Stirling excavated the 6-ton basalt original of this head, which is on display at the Museum of Anthropology in Xalapa, Veracruz.
Replica carved from welded volcanic ash by Ignacio Perez Solano and presented to the Smithsonian Institution by the government of the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, October 2001.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.
Location. 38° 53.514′ N, 77° 1.598′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. Marker is on Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 50) east of 12th Street Northwest, on the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Colossal Head 4 (replica) (a few steps from this marker); Cedar of Lebanon (within shouting distance of this marker); Solomon G. Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneering Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); What Common Bird Species Live in DC Year-Round? (within shouting distance of this marker); Equal Justice Under the Law (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Our Tax Dollars (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named What Common Bird Species Live in DC Year-Round? (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker. Included on the marker is a map of the Gulf of Mexico region, locating the “Olmec Culture.”
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. An identical marker stands a few feet away.
Also see . . .
1. Olmec. (Submitted on January 8, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Alternative Origin Speculations. (Submitted on January 8, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. Mesoamerica; National Mall.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 6, 2010
2. Colossal Head 4 (replica)
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 6, 2010
3. Colossal Head 4 (replica) and Marker
Photographed By Adam Margolis, July 19, 2013
4. Colossal Head 4 (replica) Marker
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 22, 2018
5. Closeup of plaque on Colossal Head 4 (replica)
(replica)
Olmec Culture
San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan
Veracruz, Mexico, 1200 - 900 B.C.E.
Gift to the Smithsonian Institution from the
government of the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and the
Washington Center for Internships and
Academic Seminars
October 2001
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,104 times since then and 78 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on February 2, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5. submitted on January 22, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
