|
|
 |
|
Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Jaguar Effigy Incense Burner
|
Costa Rican, Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone
Ax God
|
Costa Rican, Diquis region, Chiriqui culture
Figural Pendant
|
Costa Rica, Diquis region
Frog Pendant
|
Costa Rican, Guanacaste or Diquis Region
Peccary Effigy Jar
|
Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya region
Crocodile Effigy Vessel
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
    |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Focus Works of Art
Crocodile Effigy Vessel
|
|
|
|
Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya region
(Ancient American)
Crocodile Effigy Vessel,
about 300-1100 |
|
|
Ancient Americans often buried ceramic pots and other works of art with people when they died. Even buried in damp ground for a thousand years, ceramic art can survive and keep its painted decoration. Sometimes archaeologists find ceramic works broken into pieces. This crocodile-shaped pot came to the Museum in many pieces and was glued back together. This work is called an effigy, which means it looks like a figure or animal, in this case probably the American crocodile. Crocodiles are the most powerful animals in the water and were considered godlike spirits in ancient America. They are sometimes mistakenly called alligators, but alligators live only in the United States and China.
|
|
 |
|
Below are suggestions for using the Focus Work of Art with students in the classroom. The activity and discussion ideas are listed in order of difficulty. The activity instructions and italicized discussion questions may be presented directly to students. The icons below each suggestion note the related subject area(s). Click on each icon to determine which subject area it represents. Browse the thematic Lesson Plans for more ideas on how to use this work of art and theme in the classroom. |
- Effigies
Create an effigy in a human or animal form.
- Crocs, Gators and More
Compare and contrast alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials using the encyclopedia or Internet. In groups, research one creature and create a crossword puzzle that includes information and vocabulary related to the animal's features and habitats.
- Condition Report
Hypothesize how this work of art might have looked had it been exposed to sunlight, rain, or heat over time. How would each of these elements have impacted its condition?
- Excavation
Investigate the processes archaeologists use to excavate vessels like this one. What tools do they use? What kinds of skills and resources do they depend on to help them date the object, preserve it and catalogue it? Visit Dig Magazine or Archaeology Magazine for more information.
|
|
)
