# Does the block date to the San Lorenzo phase, about 900 BC? · Cascajal block and Isthmian writing > Three answers have been proposed. The block belongs with the San Lorenzo phase material, about 1000 to 900 BC. leads, with evidence 2 for, 1 against… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXWT7R64/does-the-block-date-to-the-san-lorenzo-phase-about-900-bc Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:01+00:00 --- **0** # Does the block date to the San Lorenzo phase, about 900 BC? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Is the block an ancient Olmec object?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXN038ZM/is-the-block-an-ancient-olmec-object)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the block belongs with the San Lorenzo phase material, about 1000 to 900 BC** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The block belongs with the San Lorenzo phase material, about 1000 to 900 BC. leads, with evidence 2 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters The headline claim, oldest writing in the Americas, rests on the date, and the date rests on mixed debris in which a quarter of the material is Terminal Classic⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CYBBJDM1BJG/the-cascajal-block-the-earliest-precolumbian-writing). ## Answers 3 [**The block belongs with the San Lorenzo phase material, about 1000 to 900 BC.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/cascajal-block/answers/ANS0CYBC2S25DN5/the-block-belongs-with-the-san-lorenzo-phase-material-about) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for, 1 against Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/cascajal-block/answers/ANS0CYBC47Y2AKJ/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The block dates to the Middle Formative (Palangana phase or later), after 900 BC.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/cascajal-block/answers/ANS0CYBC3RA2WQE/the-block-dates-to-the-middle-formative-palangana-phase-or) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible ## History 1. 2006[Rodríguez Martínez et al. puts forward: the block belongs with the San Lorenzo phase material, about 1000 to 900 BC.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CYBBJ5T0KBD/oldest-writing-in-the-new-world) 1. 2006[Skidmore: nearly all the Formative sherds in the debris are San Lorenzo phase.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CYBBJDM1BJG/the-cascajal-block-the-earliest-precolumbian-writing)For: The block belongs with the San Lorenzo phase material, about 1000 to 900 BC. 1. 2006[Skidmore: a few Palangana sherds (800 to 400 BC) were in the debris.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CYBBJDM1BJG/the-cascajal-block-the-earliest-precolumbian-writing)For: The block dates to the Middle Formative (Palangana phase or later), after 900 BC. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXWT7R64/does-the-block-date-to-the-san-lorenzo-phase-about-900-bc%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXWT7R64/does-the-block-date-to-the-san-lorenzo-phase-about-900-bc%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXWT7R64/does-the-block-date-to-the-san-lorenzo-phase-about-900-bc%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXWT7R64/does-the-block-date-to-the-san-lorenzo-phase-about-900-bc%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXWT7R64/does-the-block-date-to-the-san-lorenzo-phase-about-900-bc%23add-source) Where it fits Cascajal block and Isthmian writing [**Is the block an ancient Olmec object?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/cascajal-block/questions/QST0CYBBXN038ZM/is-the-block-an-ancient-olmec-object)Key question · most likely the block and its incisions are ancient Olmec work **Does the block date to the San Lorenzo phase, about 900 BC?** You're here · the block belongs with the San Lorenzo phase material, about 1000 to 900 BC [ Ask a question under this one ]