Izapa Archaeological Zone
Its importance derived from the trade of cacao and probably of imported obsidian. Today the remains appear as earthen mounds and cobblestone platforms. The structures surrounding the plazas once supported temples, in many of which there are carved and uncarved stone stelae, as well as altars and other stone monuments; among the latter are stone spheres atop columns, possible solar representations.
The sculptural style of the site has given rise to talk of the Izapan culture, which, although influenced by the Olmecs, took on its own characteristics that in turn spread to other places along the coast of Chiapas and Guatemala and even farther afield. Izapan sculpture was basically religious in origin and function and seems to record mythical and historical events as well as religious and cosmogonic concepts.
The sculptural style of the site has given rise to talk of the Izapan culture, which, although influenced by the Olmecs, took on its own characteristics that in turn spread to other places along the coast of Chiapas and Guatemala and even farther afield. Izapan sculpture was basically religious in origin and function and seems to record mythical and historical events as well as religious and cosmogonic concepts.
