SHELL CRUCIFIX
SPANISH COLONIAL STYLE
SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA MISSION PERIOD

A shell crucifix from San Pedro, California, 10 copies.

 SHELL CRUCIFIX
SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA
THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE SAME CROSS DUPLICATED 10 TIMES
DAVE CARVALHO COLLECTION

   This shell cross was found in 1965 by Dave Carvalho while digging a trench near his house. It's made in a Spanish Colonial style from the California Mission period, around 1800. It's an artifact that represents change---new ideas being transferred from different cultures coming into contact with each other. This example was probably made by a local California native American who copied the design from a metal crucifix.

Shell crucifix from San Pedro, California, about A.D. 1800.

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGE DOUBLE IMAGE
SHELL CRUCIFIX
SPANISH COLONIAL STYLE
SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA
EUROPEAN CONTACT--1800
DAVE CARVALHO COLLECTION

   This beautifully preserved shell cross still retains the opalescence sheen on the surface of shell it was made from. This is a religious symbol in the shape of a cross with the figure of Jesus crucified upon it. Most of the religious crosses that have been found on Late Stone Age sites in North America are made of metal. This one measures 1 3/8 inches (3.4 cm) long.

  Native Americans were familiar with many different symbols representing crosses, such as the swastika design. Although these symbols had no relation to the crosses of the Old World. Some of these symbols did represent the division of the four quarters or cardinal points of north, south, east and west. Some native Americans may have seen this symbolic concept in the Christian cross.

Enlargement of Jesus figure on shell crucifix from California.
SHELL CRUCIFIX
SPANISH COLONIAL STYLE
SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA
EUROPEAN CONTACT--1800
DAVE CARVALHO COLLECTION

   This picture shows an enlarged area of a very simple engraving of the Christian figure of Jesus crucified upon the cross. The vertical parallel lines at the top represents rays of light. This cross was also drilled for suspension.

  This shell crucifix is remarkably well preserved. The opalescence sheen on the surface is impressive. This religious pendant was probably worn around the neck.

"REFERENCES"

1912, Hodge, Frederick Webb,  "Handbook of American Indians north of Mexico," pp. 365-367.
Personal communications with Dave Carvalho.

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