An anthropomorphic head called Baby-Face
Olmec culture, Mexico
900-600 BC
Terracotta
H.: 9; Long. : 6.5; L.: 5.5 cm

Elongated head due to a cranial deformation, called "B.
Round eyes in slits.
Trapezoidal mouth with upturned upper lip.

The fragments unearthed in domestic deposits indicate that these statuettes were primarily associated with households belonging to a relatively high social class. The combination of both infant and adult features, the almost systematic absence of genitalia, and the occasional presence of incised decoration suggest that they did not represent simple infants, but rather referred to beings or concepts belonging to the supernatural realm.

A thermoluminescence seniority test was issued on December 17, 2012 by the QED laboratory.

Ref.: 7302

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON