History Camelid Sacrum In The Shape Of A Canine

Form: ■ made from the now fossilized remains of the sacrum—the triangular pelvic bone—of a camelid (now extinct), a member of the camelidae family (along with alpacas, llamas, camels) Function: ■ Intended function and original meaning unknown ■ prehistoric artisans drew/painted/carved/sculpted what they saw in their everyday life ■ so, choice to render image of a canine makes sense ■ study and depiction of animals was common in prehistoric art Content: ■ head of a canine ■ natural shape of sacrum bone probably suggested image of canine to the carver ■ nostrils, mouth, other details added by carver Context: ■ ■ ■ There is not much known about this work, because: ■ No stratigraphic analysis from site of discovery, so date of creation is difficult to determine ■ Prehistoric, so no written records of artisan, purpose, meaning, date, etc. ■ Lost to scholars for about 60 years (1895-1956) because it was privately owned during that time it was, for a time, questioned whether this sculpture was actually made by human hands, or if its likeness to a canine head was just its natural shape ■ art historians have resolved that it was indeed carved by a human ■ proven by symmetrical, precisely cut nostrils (precision and sharp cut indicate someone using tools, carving with a purpose) spiritual significance of the sacrum ■ by looking at later Mesoamerican cultures, which viewed the sacrum as spiritual and sacred, it can be inferred that this sacrum was chosen for similar spiritual reasons ■ pelvic bone is the fulcrum of the body, and central to internal organs ■ in particular, reproductive organs ■ sacrum could be symbol of fertility, or connection to ancestry and posterity ■ The English word "sacrum" is derived from Latin: "os sacrum," meaning "sacred bone." Cross culture comparisons: Tuffery, Pispupo Lau Afe (corned beef 2000) Muybridge, The Horse in Motion Cotsiogo, Hige Painting of a Sun Dance