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Camelid Sacrum in the Shape of a CanineCamelid sacrum, Photo © Jorge Pérez de Lara

Camelid Sacrum in the Shape of a Canine

Tequixquiac, Central Mexico. 14,000–7000 B.C.E. Bone.

Curator Note

"A sculpture made from the fossilized sacrum bone of a camelid, carved to look like the skull of a dog or wolf. It demonstrates early Mesoamerican reverence for the animal world."

Form

  • Subtractive sculpture reserved from the fossilized sacrum bone of an extinct camelid (ancestor to llamas/camels).
  • Skillful utilization of the bone's natural shape to suggest the head of a canine without extensive modification.
  • Polished surface achieved through friction or tool use, indicating long-term care and handling.
  • Nostrils and eyes were cut into the end of the bone to define the facial features.
  • Symmetrical composition relying on the natural symmetry of the biological skeletal structure.

Function

  • Likely a sacred object or mask used in shamanistic rituals or ceremonies.
  • The sacrum bone is traditionally viewed as a "second skull" and seat of the soul/spirit in Mesoamerican culture.
  • Deep connection to fertility and rebirth due to the sacrum's anatomical location near reproductive organs.
  • Could have served as a totem for a clan or a hunting fetish.
  • May have been used in rituals concerning the domestication of dogs or hunting of camelids.

Content

  • Representation of a dog or wolf head, animals often associated with the underworld or guidance.
  • Symbolizes the profound connection between humans and the animal world (transmutation).
  • Transformation of a biological remnant (death) into a spiritual totem (life/spirit).
  • The bone itself carries spiritual potency ("resurrection stone" concept in later cultures).
  • Minimalist details focusing on the essence of the animal rather than hyper-realism.

Context

  • Discovered accidentally in Tequixquiac, Central Mexico, in 1870 at a depth of 40 feet.
  • One of the oldest known artifacts from the Americas (14,000–7000 B.C.E.), complicating timeline theories.
  • Demonstrates the early presence of humans in the Valley of Mexico and their artistic interaction with local megafauna.
  • Contextualizes the long tradition of bone carving and animal reverence in Pre-Columbian art.
  • Reflects a hunter-gatherer society where every part of the animal was utilized and honored.