Talk:Olmec figurine

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[edit] Edited out

The following sentences were edited out of the original version of this article, since I do not believe they are supported by the facts, or take a very narrow view of matters:

"The first figurine was found in the archaeological site of Tlapacoya and was dated around 2300 BC. The discovery of figurines marked the beginning of Mesoamerican art. The Olmec civilization began to flourish at the same time. Tlapacoya and Tlatilco both in the Valley of Mexico, and Las Bocas in Puebla are sites where figurines were abundant. "

The 2300 BCE date is one of the very earliest proposed and I believe it is unsupported. And while there have been Olmec (or Olmec-influenced) figurines) found at these sites, but I don't believe that these are the major sources of figurines.Madman 16:24, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Female figurines

Where are the pictures of female figurines? Why were they left out? What would be your purpose in showing only male figurines for this culture? Are the authors simply unaware that the Olmecs made female figurines? Is there some other reason they're not shown here? Athana 21:48, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't see any evidence in support of the rhetorical charge that there's been any purposeful omission or editing out of female depictions. Please don't presume there has been any conscious or unconscious decision to do so. Like just about any other wikipedia article around this one has developed organically from the efforts of disparate editors over time.

The main problem with images is a common one- free-use licence images of Olmec figurines (of whatever description) are rather hard to come by, and we are lucky to have even those few which illustrate this article. If you happen to know of any free-license images of Olmec artefacts displaying female characteristics, then you'd be most welcome to add them in.

Also, as noted in my response at talk:Olmec mythology there's really too little known about the conventions of Olmec iconography to securely identify the gender of the beings depicted in Olmec art and statuary, and most such artefacts are quite indeterminate as regards to gender. While there certainly are Olmec artefacts which some have identified as possessing female characteristics, only a minority can be said to be definitively accepted as female. And in (presumed) deity depictions and figurines, gender characteristics are almost completely lacking, most are anthropomorphic figures derived from animals (snakes, birds, sharks, etc) and not clearly either male or female.--cjllw | TALK 05:10, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Indeed, we'll take (just about) any appropriate photo but, as CJLL notes, the problem is that we can only use free-license images (in general). I was able to obtain an image of "the wrestler" (which is a very famous figurine) by way of a long correspondence with the DeLanges. The other figurine image was shot by a Wikipedian at the British Museum. Upload 'em if ya got 'em. Madman 04:35, 9 January 2007 (UTC)