Olmec-style pottery
Middle Preclassic (800 - 250 B.C.)

The highly polished white slip, and the carved incised decorative motifs on these vessels are characteristic of the Olmec style. The shape of the bowl resembles a pumpkin while the designs on the vessel may be derived from seashells. The Olmec style is known for its abstract shapes and high technical quality. Portable objects in the Olmec style have been found throughout Mesoamerica. Olmec presence is especially found in the western part of Guatemala's southern coast where there are several large middle Preclassic sites, some of which have monumental sculptures. The site of Tak'alik Abaj has a particularly important concentration of Olmec-style monuments.

	Olmec-style vessel Possibly from Guatemala's southeast coast Middle Preclassic (800-300 B.C.) Height 8.5 cm; Diameter 13 cm.
	Olmec-style vessel Possibly from Guatemala's southeast coast Middle Preclassic (800-300 AC) Height 14.5 cm; Diameter on the top 10 cm.