Shaman with Headdress
INTRODUCTION
In many Ancient Cultures the Shaman was thought an intermediary between this world and the spiritual world.
As you might expect, the "Shaman" is one of the highest recurring Subjects in the WB collection.
The "Shaman" is one of the first Subjects, in the collection, to be identified. The sometimes obvious and familiar profile made it easy to recognize.
The first headdress to be recognized appeared to be a simple elongated headdress. Similar to those found in other Ancient Cultures. It was soon apparent that the headdress could contain none, or a combination of many Subjects. Including ancient animals.
The Headdress can be very complex.
The elaborate headdresses were essential in helping identify and substantiating the developing "vocabulary". The sometimes multiple subjects provide a concentration of significant examples.
Examples discussed are
018, 021, 087, 131, 155, 171, 181, 197, 200.
Click on a photo to access a larger version with a short description.
018 Shaman with Ancient Multi Headdress
018 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is light pink in color. It is approximately 10" x 7" x 4". 018 is an example of a
"Shaman with Ancient Multi Subject Headdress". 018 is the most inclusive Ancient Figure Stone in the collection.
018 is one of the nine "Keystones".
018 Headdress contains several apparent Ancient Animals.
Looking at the Front view, although worn, notice, in the lower left, outlined in green, the profile of the "Shaman". Directly above him, outlined in red, is a "Giant Bison". Continuing counter clockwise, outlined in blue, a roaring "Short Faced Bear". Next, go down to the lower right. Outlined in green, is the head profile of an apparent "Giant Sloth". Look at a rendering of a Giant Sloth. They are strikingly similar. Above the "Giant Sloth", also outlined in green, is a "Mastodon or Woolly Mammoth". Note the "Mastodon" is located in the center of the other animals. To the right of the "Mastodon", outlined in green, is a recurring "Unknown Figure". To the left of the "Mastodon", is what appears to be the recurring howling "Dire Wolf". Just above the "Mastodon" is the figure of a recurring "odd face". (92) To the upper left of the "odd face", also outlined in green, is what appears to be the head profile of a "Large Reptile"? This figure resembles a type of Ceratops found in ancient Laramidia. To the lower left of the "Reptile", outlined in pink, is what appears to be a "Giant Hippopotamus".
Looking at the Right view, there are several more figures. Notice, outlined in yellow, what appears to be the recurring "Pterosaur". Notice, outlined in Red, the recurring "Baby Bison". There several other figures that resemble "Giant Bison" and other ancient mammals. Notice, outlined in green, what appears to be a "Snake". I am not convinced that is what it is considering the apparent "T-Rex" shown on 316.
These animals lived during Ancient times. If not these Ancient Animals, then what else could they be?
This stone was intentionally shaped into very specific figures.
The profile of the Shaman was recognized first. Preliminary identification of the other Subjects came only after studying the collection and extensive research.
Included are the Right, Right.dwg, Back and Left views.
021 Shaman with Bear Head Headdress
021 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is yellow in color. It is approximately 7" x 8" x 6". 021 is an example of a "Shaman with Bear Headdress".
021 is one of the nine "Keystones".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, the profile of the the "Shaman". Notice the resemblance to carvings found in other Ancient Cultures. Specifically, the shape of the eyes, nose and lips resemble those found in Mayan art. 021 is one of several examples that resemble Mayan Art. Notice the apparent "working" marks. Note how they have worn over the many years.
The "Shaman" is wearing what appears to be a "Bear Head Headdress", outlined in blue. The "Bear Head Headdress" recurs often within the numbers of "Shaman with Headdress".
Included are Detail 1 and the Back and Left views.
087 Shaman with Elongated Headdress
087 is one of the few Figure Stones composed primarily of milky quartz. It is mostly white with some red and orange. It is approximately 3" x 2" x 1". 087 is an example of a "Shaman with Elongated Headdress".
Looking at the Front view, outlined in green, is the profile of the Shaman. Make note of how the eyes, nose and lips are represented. Although noticeably worn, they are similar to the details found on 021 and others.
131 "Grey Alien" Shaman with Bear Skin Headdress
131 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is yellow, brown and grey in color. It is approximately 8" x 12" x 7". 131 is the only example of a
"Grey Alien Shaman with Bear Skin Headdress".
You knew we would say it sooner or later. Yes, alien.
Looking at the Front view, outlined in green, notice the face profile of what appears to be a "Grey Alien". Showing the classic features. Large eyes, small mouth and ears. Outlined in violet, the Bear Skin Headdress covers His head. The triangular "Shield" is a recurring detail.
Looking a the Left view, notice, outlined in violet, the head of the Bear. "Carving" the eye required great craftsmanship. Amazing that the delicate piece at the outer edge of the eye, survived all these years.
The Right view shows the Bear Skin covering the head and neck.
The Back view has Subjects that have not been identified. At first I thought it was a Ram. But, details indicate, there is more to it than that.
Included are the Top and Bottom views.
155 Shaman with Elongated Headdress
155 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is red in color. It is approximately 4" x 2" x 2". 155 is an example of a "Shaman with Elongated Headdress".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, the profile of the "Shaman". Although worn, note the facial details and their similarity to 021, 087.
Notice that the eye, ear and mouth are closed.
Looking at the Back view, notice outlined in green, the "Shaman". The eye, ear and mouth are open. This is a recurring detail that is found on "Shaman" and other Subjects.
155 shows how the different sides and or orientation of these Ancient Figure Stones can show different Subjects. In some cases, the "Multi Subject Stones" can be similar to puzzle rocks.
The Right view seems to show a "Bear on Bison". Notice, outlined in blue, the Bear. Also, outlined in red, the Bison. Both in positions typical of other "Bear on Bison".
Looking at the left view, outlined in red, is a distressed or sleeping Bison or "Winged Bison"?
171 Shaman with Mother Cat with Cubs Headdress
171 is composed of high silica igneous rock. The color is varying shades of red, with black and white. It is approximately 9" x 7" x 3". 171 is an example of a "Shaman with Mother Cat with Cubs Headdress".
Looking at the front view, although worn, notice, outlined in green, a "Shaman" with eye, ear and mouth closed. Also, outlined in yellow, the face of the "Mother Cat". This an example where the Mother Bear or Cat is not roaring. Also unique is how the head of the Cat is protruding out and over the "Shaman". Notice Her "Cubs" outlined in pastel colors. There is a another "Cub" that is not outlined. It is located in front and to the right of the Cub outlined in blue. His face is 90 degrees from the camera angle. This and other examples of this Subject appear to show Cubs of two different ages. Typical of this Subject are the details showing the Mother Bear or Cat with one eye open, the other closed. One ear visible, the other obscured by Her Cub. Apparently there are four Cubs of two different ages. To date, that is the maximum number of Cubs recognized with one Mother Bear or Cat. Typically, there are two or three.
Looking a the Back view, notice, outlined in yellow, the face of a Bear. One eye is open the other closed. One ear visible, the other obscured. Notice that it's mouth is open. Also, outlined in green, a "Shaman" with the recurring "Half Face" detail. His eye, ear and mouth are open. The detail of open and closed eye, ear and mouth, between opposite views, is recurring.
Several smaller Subjects within the Headdress of the "Shaman" are not outlined.
The orientation of the "Shaman's" faces is unique to this example.
Looking at the Bottom view, notice, outlined in red, the recurring "Baby Bear or Bison". In this example, it is howling. Also a recurring detail.
Looking at the Left view, notice, outlined in green a "Shaman" with the recurring "Half Face" detail. Notice the Headdress, outlined in blue, a Bear. Also, outlined in red a Bison. Both in positions typical of other "Bear on Bison".
Included are the Left and Right views.
181 Shaman with Half Face
181 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is red to brown in color. It is approximately 5" x 4" x 1". 181 is an example of a "Shaman with Half-Face".
The "Half Face" detail is recurring. It is represented in Shaman and Animals, including Ancient Animals.
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, the profile of a "Shaman".
Looking at the Right view, although worn, notice the facial details including the lips, nose and eyes. Also, look closely at the apparent Headdress.
Also included is the Back view.
197 Shaman with Unknown Animal Breeding Headdress
197 is composed of high silica igneous lava rock. It is shades of brown in color. It is approximately 7" x 6" x 2". 197 is an example of a "Shaman with Unknown Animal Breeding Headdress".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, the profile of the recurring Male "Unknown Animal". Notice the "plates" along the ridge of his back and unusual Headdress. Similar to 152 and others. Notice the Female "Winged Bison" outlined in red. Also note, outlined in violet, the "Shaman" with elongated head.
Looking at Detail 1, notice the close-up of the face of the "Unknown Animal".
Detail 2 is a close-up of the breeding pair.
Detail 3 is a close up of the Female "Winged Bison".
It could be argued that, within in this context, Detail 4 is a "Bear on Mammoth". Although not obvious, the general shape makes it a possibility.
200 Shaman with Altar Headdress
200 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It varies in color from red to yellow. It is approximately 11" x 7" x 5". 200 is an example of a "Shaman with Altar Headdress".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, the profile of the "Shaman". Notice, outlined in blue, a Bison. The Bison appears to be lying down such that the top of his back forms part of the small " Altar Bowl" located on top.
Detail 1 is a close up of the "Shaman" and young Bison.
Detail 3 is a close up of the face of the young Bison. Although worn, notice the details of the Bison's face. Particularly the nose, mouth, eyes and the shape of His head. Also, the small "horn" located on the upper left of the Bison's head. Looking at the opposite side, for the other one, there is indication that it was broken off. Amazing that either one has survived all these years.
The Right view is an example of the recurring "Pterasaur on Woolly Mammoth or Mastodon". Notice, outlined in green, the "Pterasaur" on the back of, in this case, the Mastodon, outlined in violet, in a way that is typical of other examples of this Subject. 263, 266
Looking at the Top view, 200 is an example of a "Bear on Bison Altar". Notice, outlined in blue, the nearly full body of a Bear. Also notice, outlined in red, a Bison. Note how they are incorporated into the "Bowl" of the "Altar Stone". As typical of other "Altar Stones", the "bowl" is surrounded by Animal Subjects.
Also included is the Back view.
