tak'alik a'baj' is an ancient ruin in guatemala; it used to be called abaj takalik. it is one of several mesoamerican sites that have olmec and maya features. the site was inhabited the during the preclassic and classic periods, from the 9th century bc through to at least the 10th century ad. it was an important place for trade. it traded with kaminaljuyu and chocolá. it is one of the largest sites with carved monuments on the pacific coast. olmec-style sculptures include a possible colossal head, rock carvings and others. the site has one of the biggest collections of olmec-style sculpture outside of the gulf of mexico.