Another common figurine style features standing figurines in a stiff artificial pose and characterized by their thin limbs, elongated, bald, flat-topped heads, almond-shaped eyes, and downturned mouths. The figurines' legs are usually separated, often straight, sometimes bent. Toes and fingers, if shown at all, are frequently represented by lines. It has been theorized that the elongated, flat-topped heads are reflective of the practice of
artificial cranial deformation, as found in the
Tlatilco burials of the same period or among the
Maya of a later era. No direct evidence of this practice has been found in the
Olmec heartland, however. The ears often have small holes for ear flares or other ornaments. These figurines may have therefore once worn earrings and even clothes made of perishable materials. It has been proposed that these figurines had multiple outfits for different ritual occasions – as
Richard Diehl puts it, "a pre-Columbian version of
Barbie's
Ken". These figurines are usually carved from
jade and well under in height. For another example, see
this Commons photo.
Offering 4 at La Venta At the
La Venta archaeological site, archaeologists found what they subsequently named "Offering 4". These figurines had been ritually buried in a deep, narrow hole, and covered over with three layers of colored clay. At some point after the original burial, someone dug a small hole down just to the level of their heads and then refilled it. Offering 4 consists of sixteen male figurines positioned in a semicircle in front of six jade
celts, perhaps representing
stelae or basalt columns. Two of the figurines were made from
jade, thirteen from
serpentine, and one of reddish granite. This granite figurine one was positioned with its back to the celts, facing the others. All of the figurines had similar classic Olmec features including bald elongated heads. They had small holes for earrings, their legs were slightly bent, and they were undecorated – unusual if the figurines were gods or deities – but were instead covered with
cinnabar. Interpretations abound. Perhaps this particular formation represents a council of some sort—the fifteen other figurines seem to be listening to the red granite one, with the celts forming a backdrop. One of the most striking offerings found at La Venta, the celts in Offering Number 4, depict a person with a ceremonial headdress “flying” and also the maize deity. There appears to be a definite symbolic link here, but it is unclear whether it is tied to the Olmec rudimentary writing system. To the red granite figurine's right, there seems be a line of three figurines filing past him. Another researcher has suggested that the granite figure is an initiate. As the name implies, Offering 4 is one of many
ritual offerings uncovered at La Venta, including the four Massive Offerings and four mosaics. Why such works would be buried continues to generate much speculation. =="Were-jaguar" motif==