06/08/2025
Iโve focused on a few archeological artefacts this week, pieces of ancient human history which Iโve not put much focus on before, that includes one of the most interesting and unique pieces Iโve ever had instore so far!
A small piece of ancient pottery, carved approx 600BC - 400AD.
Genuine La Tolita Pottery Figurine, Columbia
600 BC - 400 AD
La Tolita Culture inhabited a vast littoral zone in Columbia, including diverse ecological sites from the mouth of the River Emeraldas to the Bay of Buenaventura. The society was highly stratified, with political and religious officials occupying the highest ranks. For those beneath them, everyday subsistence activities were hunting, fishing and gathering of molluscs and plant foods.
This great ceremonial centre in the island of La Tolita was the most important ideological, cultural and economic centre. People visited from various regions to worship the gods, conduct ceremonies and bury their dead. This resulted in the area being an extraordinary site of culture, with artists creating artefacts for the purposes of offerings to the gods, festive attire and funeral apparel.
Goldsmiths produced unique ornaments of gold, silver, platinum, copper and โtumbagaโ (an alloy of copper and gold). Carvings were worked from bone and precious stones. The potters of this culture made earthenware jars and ceramic figurines, often showing a distinctive baroque style. This is a genuine pottery fragment from this ancient and important site.
