Pre-Columbian - Central American/Carribean

Pre-Columbian artifacts of the Caribbean area mostly come from the Greater Antilles islands of Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). The principal people to inhabit this area were the Arawak, who were known as the Taíno. The most characteristic objects are made of bone, wood, and stone, and include spatulas for inducing vomiting for religious purification; dujos, or carved wooden stools for chiefs or priests; and zemi, or triangular stones carved with human or animal features representing major natural spirits and deities. Pottery included incised pots with geometric designs and effigy vessels in human shapes.

Costa Rican Jade Bead Necklace Necklace comprised of 55 ancient beads -- 5 jade beads and 50 pottery beads -- in various forms and colors ranging from light green to white to gray. From Costa Rica, dating... $275.00

Costa Rican Stone Figure Ancient Pre-Columbian Stone Idol, from the Atlantic Watershed Zone of Costa Rica, ca. 1000 - 1500 A.D. Seated male figure with arms across chest, slit eyes/mouth, $895.00 SOLD

Costa Rican Bird-Form Mace Head Gorgeous! Ancient Pre-Columbian Stone Mace Head from Costa Rica, Nicoya culture, ca. 500-1000 A.D. Hand-carved from a single piece of hard, white stone, with a hollow, slip $1,950.00

Mayan Polychrome Tripod Plate Vivid! Ancient Pre-Columbian Mayan Polychrome Plate, most likely manufactured in the region of Honduras / El Salvador, dating to the Post Classic Period, ca. 550... $1,695.00 $850.00

Maya Deity Rattle Ancient Pre-Columbian Rattle, west Mexico, Mayan, ca. 550 - 850 A.D. Molded pottery rattle depicting a standing figure/shaman with one hand hanging down to his side; $1,195.00

Did you know?

Taíno culture was the most highly developed in the Caribbean when Columbus reached Hispaniola in 1492. Islands throughout the Greater Antilles were dotted with Taíno communities nestled in valleys and along the rivers and coastlines, some of which were inhabited by thousands of people.