gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, archaeology, history, archaeogemology, Pre-Columbian jade; Costa Rica; Maya; exchange; iconography, lapidary

In both ancient and contemporary Mesoamerica, no other foodstuff has played a more profound role in social and cultural development than maize (Zea mays). Although a great deal is now known about the importance of maize in Classic and Postclassic Mesoamerican economies and religion, there has been surprisingly little iconographic interest in its significance during the earlier Formative period (the Mesoamerican equivalent of the Old World Neolithic), despite the fact that the Formative marks the initial widespread appearance of food production. In this study, I argue that the Formative Olmec developed an elaborate system of belief and ritual surrounding maize. Moreover, I suggest that much of the Olmec influence noted in Formative highland Mexico and the Maya region revolved around this ritual agricultural complex and served as a means of integrating distant regions into the Olmec economic network.