Olmec bones in Honduras

Ancient Bones Found in Honduras Said to Be Olmec
Tue Nov 11, 9:32 PM ET

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (Reuters) -  Human bones believed to date from the
ancient Olmec civilization have been found in southeastern Honduras,
suggesting the influential culture extended farther than previously
thought, Honduran authorities said on Tuesday.
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 Carmen Fajardo, at the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and
History, said it appeared to be the first time Olmec remains have been
found outside the so-called Mesoamerican corridor that stretches from
Mexico to central Honduras.
"For the first time various bones have been found in Honduras with a
deformity to the skull ... characteristic of the Olmec culture which
considered this a sign of beauty," Fajardo told Reuters.
Olmec culture originated in Mexico and extended to Belize, Guatemala, El
Salvador (news - web sites) and parts of Honduras. Many cultural and
religious elements of ancient civilizations including the Aztecs and
Mayans have Olmec roots.
Olmec pottery has been discovered in northern Honduras dating back to
1600 B.C. within the Mesoamerican zone but not human remains, Fajardo
said.
Four skulls, various bones and 10 plates dating back to 1500 B.C. were
found on a mountain called Cerro de las Cuevas de las Campanas, 90 miles
east of the capital Tegucigalpa, near the border with Nicaragua.
"These remains ... were found outside the Mesoamerican zone where the
Olmec culture, known as the mother culture of Mesoamerica, exerted its
influence," Fajardo said.
Southeastern Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama are considered
part of an intermediate area influenced by the culture of the Andes.
"Our conclusions so far are preliminary ... but we still have to do
carbon and DNA tests," she said.
"It could be that there is a third cultural area we haven't identified
where the Mesoamerican area and intermediate meet," said Fajardo.

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