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Anyone who studies Olmec art objects with an open mind can't escape the realization that it was a multiracial society. The so-called Colossal Heads have clearly negroid features while images like yours show definite Asian characteristics. Some have what appear to be Egyptian-style fake beards, and others show the typical head-shaping that was found much further north in U.S. groups like the Flatheads. In some cases it's almost impossible to distinguish between Olmec and Chinese jade carvings.

Anyone who looks at Mayan faces (they're still very much alive and kicking in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, as well as in old art) sees unique features, more related to present-day Peruvians and other South American people.

The faces that come alive in Moche pottery are somewhat different, with aristocratic features, although some similarities exist -- especially the prominent (but not hooked) noses.

What I'm getting at is there must have been a tremendous mix of races in South and Mesoamerica going back a tremendous length of time. The academic archaeologists' fixation on the Clovis Barrier, combined with their absolute belief that no one arrived in the Americas by sea, has kept research mainly in North America -- a place I think is least likely to yield affirmative evidence of diffusion.

With the reluctant acknowledgment of the age of Monte Verde in Chile by the Clovis reactionaries, more study is taking finally place, even at northern places like the Meadowcroft Pa. rock shelter, where some crucial ancient finds are now being acknowldged. The next few years are going to be very interesting. If objective research continues I believe current ideas about the peopling of the Americas is going to be knocked cockeyed. But one should never underestimate the power of political correctness and the political spoils system (i.e., Kennewick Man).