El Manatí, Olmec ceremonial site in Hidalgotitlan, Mexico
El Manatí is an archaeological site in Veracruz where the Olmec people left offerings in a natural spring at the base of Cerro Manatí hill. Excavations have uncovered wooden sculptures, rubber balls, ritual objects, and other artifacts preserved in the boggy ground.
The site served as a ceremonial center for the Olmec between 1600 and 1200 BCE, where people performed important religious rituals. The practice of making offerings here continued for generations, showing how long this place remained sacred to them.
This place held deep meaning for the Olmec people as a sacred site where they left offerings to honor their deities and express their religious beliefs. The objects found here reveal how important ceremonies and rituals were to their way of life.
The site sits in a marshy area and is not easily accessible to casual visitors without prior coordination with authorities. You should be prepared for wet conditions and follow local guidance when planning a visit to this remote location.
The boggy ground has preserved about 37 wooden busts and sculptures that are more than 3000 years old. These rank among the oldest known wooden works found anywhere in Mexico and show how rare it is for organic materials to survive so long.
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