17 Out-of-Place Artifacts Said to Suggest High-Tech Prehistoric Civilizations Existedĭeciphering the script on the tablet.The mysterious civilization of the Olmecs.The Olmec signs can be interpreted as follows:ġ. In most cases the Olmec signs includes two or more syllabic characters. Each segment of the Olmec sign has to be broken down into its individual syllabic sign. The Olmec writing is read right to left top to bottom.

(Author provided) Reading the Script on the Cascajal Tablet Hieroglyphic Olmec includes multiple linear Olmec signs which are joined together to make pictures of animals, faces, and other objects. This writing is written in Hieroglyphic Olmec. The Olmec writing on the Cascajal tablet is an obituary for King Bi Po. In reality, these signs are made up several different Olmec linear glyphs. Some researchers have recognized insects and other objects in the signs. The fact that a mound existed where the tablet was found offers considerable support to the idea that the mound where the tablet was found was the tomb of King Bi PoPo. (Maribel Ponce Ixba/ CC BY 2.0 )Īccording to the road builders at the village, the Cascajal tablet was found in a mound. Olmec Colossal Head 3 from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, Veracruz, Mexico. It also indicates that the Xi believed that if they offered libations at the tombs of their rulers they would gain blessings. This tablet indicates that Bi Po’s tomb was recognized as a sacred site.

Translation of the Cascajal tablet makes it clear that the tablet was written for a local ruler at San Lorenzo called Bi Po. It also allows us to positively associate one of the Olmec heads to an Olmec tablet. It gives us keen insight into the Olmec royals. The Cascajal tablet provides valuable historical information. Hieroglyphic Olmec includes multiple linear syllabic Olmec signs which are joined together to make pictures of animals, faces, and other objects. This tablet is written in Hieroglyphic Olmec. (Author provided) What is Written on the Cascajal Tablet? The Hieroglyphic Olmec signs are made up of two or more syllabic Olmec symbols.įrequency of Cascajal Glyphs. In Olmec Language and Literature, I explain that the Olmec writing has two forms: a syllabic script, and a hieroglyphic script.

Hidden in the Glyphs: Deciphering Bilingual Mayan-Olmec Text.

Does the Cascajal Block provide evidence of a written language of the Olmecs?.

Although this is their opinion, in reality the symbols on the Cascajal tablet represent Hieroglyphic Olmec signs. They feel that the signs represent animals, insects, plants, and other objects. Researchers have determined that the symbols on the Cascajal tablet are arranged in rows and indicate word order and syntax. There are 62 glyphs on the Cascajal tablet.

The Cascajal tablet has been dated to the Olmec San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan period at around 950 BC. This tablet, originally found in 1999, came from a gravel quarry in the village of Cascajal, municipality of Lomas de Tacamichapa, in Veracruz, Mexico. In September 2006, researchers announced the discovery of the Cascajal tablet. Hilliard acknowledged that some archaeologists believe that the Olmec culture is the “Mother Culture,” of Mexican civilizations. The Cascajal tablet was made of serpentinite, weighs 26 pounds (11.79 kg) and measures 14x8x5 inches (35.56 x 20.32 x 12.70 cm). Bryan Hilliard’s “Does the Cascajal Block provide evidence of a written language of the Olmecs?” published by Ancient Origins, discussed the finding by many Mexican researchers that the symbols on the Cascajal tablet probably represent Olmec Writing.

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