Giant Olmec Head Replica - San Francisco, CA
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 43.641 W 122° 27.062
10S E 548375 N 4175706
This 14-ton, 9-foot tall carved replica of an ancient Olmec head from Mexico is one of four in the United States.
Waymark Code: WMB428
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/02/2011
Views: 6
This ancient Olmec head replica is located at City College of San Francisco campus. It is between the Creative Arts Building and the Diego Rivera Theater in the Freda Khalo Garden. It is viewable any time.
The Roadside America website tells us:
The giant Olmec head, "El Rey," San Lorenzo #1 was carved by Ignacio Perez Solano, also know as “il Maestro.” The head is an accurate reproduction of the original piece from San Lorenzo in Veracruz, Mexico. The 3,000 year old original basalt head is believed to be a portrait of a ruler from this ancient civilization. The stone originated some 50 miles from where the statue was discovered.
The piece was given to the college in 2004 by then Vera Cruz Governor Miguel Alemán Velazco. It was the first of four such sculptures distributed as gifts in the U.S.