The Olmecs are considered the 'mother culture' of Mesoamerica, predating the Maya and Aztecs. They are most famous for their colossal basalt heads, which can stand nearly 10 feet tall and weigh up to 40 tons. To date, 17 of these heads have been discovered in the Olmec heartland on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Each head is carved with distinct facial features and wearing unique headgear, leading archaeologists to believe they are portraits of specific Olmec rulers. The sheer engineering required to transport these massive stones—often over 60 miles from the basalt source through swamps and rivers without the use of wheels or draft animals—is a testament to Olmec social organization and power. These heads reflect the Olmecs' sophisticated artistic style and their influence on later Mesoamerican civilizations, who inherited Olmec traditions in religion, calendar systems, and ballgames.