Large funerary urn, ca. 400 - 1400 AD · Brazil, Marajó Island, Marajoara · ID: 3052997
Description
ceramic, earthy-red slip, creme paint, elaborately rest., acrylic pedestal
The urn features a globular body with an indented neck and flared rim. Across these three zones, the surface treatment varies from painted to incised to modeled decoration. Four human faces are depicted on the lower zone, and two on each of the upper zones. The faces are highly stylized and accompanied by concentric linear patterns.
The Marajoara culture flourished on Marajó Island at the mouth of the Amazon River. Researchers have documented that there was human activity at these sites as early as 1000 BC. Based on archaeological studies, it is believed that the culture reached its peak between 800 and 1400 AD.The culture seems to have persisted into the colonial era.
The people of Marajó built impressive earthen mounds, known as “tesos”. The mounds housed residential structures similar to present-day “malocas”, which are Amazonian longhouses. These were multi-family structures with several hearths lined up along the center of the building; each hearth likely represented one nuclear family. The “malocas” were arranged east to west. Archaeological evidence demonstrates the continuous use of these dwellings.
Excavations uncovered ceramics of extraordinary beauty, with the most significant objects being large burial urns such as the present example. These elaborately decorated urns were set into the floors of the houses built atop the mounds and contained the remains of prominent individuals.
Two comparable urns were housed at the Museo Barbier-Mueller d’Art Precolombí in Barcelona until 2012/13 (see Barry, Genève 2002, pp. 79 & 81).
Expertise
Thermoluminescence report, No. 02R180226., R. Kotalla, Haigerloch, 27 February 2026
Comparing literature
Barry, Iris, Amazonie precolombienne dans les collections du Museo Barbier-Mueller de Arte Precolumbino, Barcelone, Genève 2002, pp. 79 & 81
Notices
This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).