In 2006, researchers reported investigations into the Cascajal Block, a slab of serpentine pulled out of a gravel quarry in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Incised on that rock were 62 glyphs, that appeared to be associated with the ancient Olmec, a civilization whose role in Mesoamerican development continues to be debated. The slab itself is still controversial, and scholars are divided as to its authenticity.
The quarry itself has been investigated, and contrary to the earliest reports, it turns out that the block may have been in context, within a midden deposit on an archaeological site, designated El Cascajal. El Cascajal was occupied between the San Lorenzo (1200-900 BC) and Palangana phase (800-400 BC) of the Olmec.
Why Nominate the Cascajal Block?
The origins of the Mesoamerican cultures and writing system have long been debated. The recovery of the Cascajal block, if genuine, has wide-ranging implications for the spread of culture throughout Mesoamerica, even if it cannot now be translated.
Additional Reading
- The Cascajal Block, description of the discovery
- Cascajal Block Photo Essay, additional photos of the block, including closeups of some of the glyphs.
- Bruhns, Karen O. et al. 2007. Oldest Writing in the New World. Science 313: 1610-1614
- Skidmore, Joel. 2006. The Cascajal Block: The earliest Precolumbian writing. Mesoweb Reports. Free to download.
