The Spondylus: A Sacred Mollusk at the Heart of Pre-Columbian Culture.
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Spondylus, also known as the “spiny oyster” or “thorny oyster,” is a bivalve mollusk found in the warm waters of most of the world's oceans. The genus Spondylus comprises approximately 76 species, three of which are particularly significant to archaeologists because of their role in ancient cultures. Two species of Spondylus from the Pacific Ocean (Spondylus princeps and S. calcifer) held essential ceremonial and ritual significance for pre-Hispanic civilizations in South, Central, and North America. S. gaederopus, native to the Mediterranean Sea, also played a major role in European Neolithic trade networks.
American Spiny Oysters: Spondylus Princeps
Spondylus princeps, often referred to as the “spiny oyster” or “ostra espinosa” in Spanish, is a remarkable mollusk due to the large, spine-like protrusions on its outer shell. The colors of its shell range from pink to red, including orange, with a pearly interior and a thin band of red coral near the lip. This mollusk is found alone or in small groups on rocky outcrops or coral reefs, generally at depths of up to 50 meters. S. princeps is primarily found along the Pacific coast, from Panama to northwestern Peru.
The Ceremonial Use of Spondylus in the Andes
Spondylus has been a central element of Andean culture since ancient times. It first appears in Andean archaeological sites dating to the Pre-Ceramic Period V (4200–2500 BCE) and remained in continuous use until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Andean peoples used spondylus shells not only in their religious rituals but also to make jewelry and ornaments, as well as to decorate architecture. The shell was sometimes ground into powder and used to embellish monuments, or carved to create pottery effigies. Examples of offerings made from spondylus shells have been found in aquatic shrines, such as at Marcahuamachucot, where an offering of 10 kilograms of shells was discovered.
Spondylus: A Key Player in Andean Trade
The spondylus trade was central to South America’s commercial networks. This mollusk was transported along the mountain trails of the Andes, which are known to have been the precursors to the Inca road system. Archaeological evidence shows that the spondylus trade extended to distant regions such as Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and also took place by sea along the coasts. This mollusk was used as a medium of exchange and as a symbol of prestige, thereby connecting the various Andean cultures.
Spondylus Workshops: Production and Trade
Spondylus workshops have been identified not only in the Andean highlands but also on the Pacific coast, near production areas. In regions such as Ecuador, communities specialized in making beads and pendants from spondylus shells. These items were traded for goods such as copper and cotton.
One of the major discoveries in the history of the spondylus trade is that of the port of Calangane in Ecuador, where shipments of spondylus dating back more than 5,000 years have been found. Ecuadorian spondylus played a major role in trade between coastal cultures and the interior regions of the Andes.
Spondylus Diving: An Ancient Trade
Harvesting spondylus requires experienced divers, as these mollusks live underwater at depths of 4 to 20 meters. Archaeological drawings dating from the Intermediate Period (~200 BCE – 600 CE) depict divers collecting these shells off the coast of Ecuador. This practice has largely been abandoned today due to overfishing and climate change, although modern divers use scuba gear to harvest the shells.
Spondylus and Quechua Beliefs: The Food of the Gods
In 17th-century Quechua mythology, Spondylus was considered the “food of the gods.” This myth has sparked debate among researchers, particularly regarding the role of the mollusk's flesh in rituals. Mary Glowacki, an American archaeologist, has suggested that eating spondylus meat during the toxic period between April and September could cause hallucinations, an effect sought after for shamanic rituals. This seasonal toxicity is caused by toxic algae ingested by the mollusk, a characteristic that makes consuming the meat dangerous during certain times of the year.
Source : Spondylus: The Pre-Columbian Use of the Thorny Oyster, by K. Kris Hirst is an archaeologist with 30 years of field experience. She is the author of The Archaeologist's Book of Quotations and her work has appeared in Science and Archaeology.Updated February 09, 2019
The spondylus is much more than just a mollusk: it is a cultural symbol, a ritual object, and a key item in trade among the pre-Columbian civilizations of South America. Its rich and complex history makes it an essential part of gemology and pre-Columbian archaeology.
Comments