obituary

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. 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). Hilliard acknowledged that some archaeologists believe that the Olmec culture is the “Mother Culture,” of Mexican civilizations. The Olmec referred to themselves as Xi. Discovery of the Cascajal Tablet In September 2006, researchers announced the discovery of the Cascajal tablet. This tablet, originally found in 1999, came from a gravel quarry in the village of Cascajal, municipality of Lomas de Tacamichapa