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Digital Object 2755
Description:
Figure carved in sperm whale tooth in the shape of a feline with crocodile features and parts of its body covered with embossed gold sheets. Conte style.
The animal´s body is adapted to the shape of the tooth in which it is carved so that both limbs, ending in five-finger claws, close slightly forward. The head is large, with a not very prominent snout, and short, wide ears with rounded margins. The nose is wide and flattened. The eyes are big and round. The mouth, threatening, shows teeth that are square and does not have fangs. A crest, composed of small triangles, runs along the centre of its back from head to tail. This crest is typical of crocodiles in style, but is also used simply as a marker of supernaturality. The eyes, mouth, extremities, and dorsal crest are covered with embossed gold sheets.
MG
Date of field recording:
 
24/03/2011
Excavation campaign:
 
2013
Record type:
 
Animal bone and/or tooth artifacts
Context-based browsing of El Caño repository
Archaeological site:
 
El Caño
Operation:
 
Operation 1
Stratigraphic group:
 
Tomb 6
Stratigraphic unit type:
 
Interment
Stratigraphic unit (finds):
 
125
Individual´s funerary attire:
 
I01
Calibrated Age Range:
 
Cal AD 775 to 790 (Cal BP 1175 to 1160)/Cal AD 800 to 980 (Cal BP 1150 to 970)
Finds-based browsing of El Caño repository
Artifacts
Animal bone artifacts:
 
Figure
Taxonomy of specimens
Vernacular name:
 
Cachalote
Genus:
 
Physeter
Species:
 
Physeter macrocephalus
Digital Object 2755
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