Who may be represented by the Olmec colossal stone heads?

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It is generally believed by scholars that the colossal stone heads created by the Olmec civilization are portraits of their rulers.12

These monumental sculptures, which feature flat faces, full lips, and distinctive helmetlike headgear, are among the most iconic artifacts of the Olmec culture. Some researchers have suggested that the headgear may represent protective coverings used in a ritual ball game, which is also depicted in various Olmec figurines. The immense effort required to quarry, transport, and carve these basalt monuments—some weighing as much as 44 tons—indicates a complex, nonegalitarian society with the social organization necessary to command such significant labor.12