Hidden deep within Juxtlahuaca Cave in Guerrero, Mexico is a series of extraordinary multi-coloured Olmec paintings. Caves, mountains and water sources were sacred to the Olmec, and caves may have represented a gateway into the 'living' Earth. Deep within the caves, priests and shamans could receive and interpret communications from the otherworld. The Juxtlahuaca Cave paintings date to approximately 1200-900 BC and may be the oldest paintings in the Americas. One image portrays a bearded figure, possibly an Olmec ruler, with jaguar skin over his arms and legs, wearing a red and yellow striped tunic and a black cape. This figure is pointing a weapon at a significantly smaller figure who may be a captive in the midst of being sacrificed. Near this image are paintings of a pouncing jaguar and a feathered serpent with an elongated tongue and green plumage. These two creatures played an important role in Olmec beliefs, and the presence of these images within Juxtlahuaca Cave indicates that it must have been an important ceremonial location.

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