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Anthropomorphic Vessel

Taíno

Not on view

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Múltiples olas de migración desde Sudamérica hasta las Antillas han sido reconocidas por arqueólogos debido a la presencia de los estilos distintos de alfarería. Las primeras vasijas de las Antillas mayores sirven como testigos de la creatividad de los migrantes que las pintaron con diseños geométricos. Posteriormente los alfareros taínos realizaban representaciones de cemíes y animales con diseños abstractos modelados en arcilla. La cuenca en forma de una figura antropomorfa y la botella grande con espiga en forma fálica pueden referirse al cuerpo humano como un recipiente para sustancias nutritivas y la fertilidad sagrada.


Archaeologists have recognized migrations from South America to the islands through the presence of distinct ceramic styles. Early pottery vessels from the Greater Antilles testify to the creativity of migrants from the mainland who utilized geometric designs. Later Taíno pottery features humanlike and animallike zemí imagery represented by abstract motifs. The bowl in the shape of a reclining figure and the large unpainted bottle may refer to the human body as a vessel for sacred fertility and nourishing substances.

Anthropomorphic Vessel, Ceramic, Taíno

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National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution