Wednesday, December 3, 2003

Astronomical Surface Decorations on Ceramics, Mesoamerica part I The Olmecs (1200BC - 600AD) are considered the Mother Culture of the later Central American civilizations.  They were adept at astronomy and ceramics. (Thanks, Ellie Crystal) There are 13 figures in the agronomical constellations (think zodiac for agriculture.)  We might see them used a cermic decoration.  There are two turtles, two trees, two crosses, two houses, a bowl, a plate, a snake, a scorpion, and a ball court.  (Thanks, Brian Longworth) The shell of the sea turtle is said to represent the universe, in Mesoamerican cultures.  The shell represents the interface between earth and sky, with the shell being part of the earth people inhabit.  This figure with shell has been modeled, after a fashion, by predecessors of the Olmecs in Veracruz, in ceramic. (Thanks Glendale Community College.) 11:13:17 PM