Engraved Ornament probably made of from a tooth from Formosan Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa brachyura)
Accession No. | T0177688 |
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Period | Iron Age |
Material | Tooth |
Findspot | Gui-shan Site |
Geographic Location | Sheliao Village, Checheng Township, Pingtung County |
Dimension | L. 4.8 cm |
Description
This artifact is a carved canine of a big cat, likely clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa brachyura), made into a shape of a wild boar. It is a delicate piece and is one of a kind discovery from the Gui-shan site. It demonstrates a developed tooth-working technology and a mature artistic style.Similar ornaments made of drilled teeth of big cats’ can be seen in the modern Paiwan tribe, reflecting the prehistoric Gui-shan communities may share the early Austronesian heritage with the concurrent Paiwan group.