Double Spout Vessel Depicting Sharks c. 180 - 500

This is a Nazca double spout vessel depicting sharks, made in ancient Peru. The painted sharks that circle the vessel are more than just decoration. They offer us a glimpse into the cultural and social world of the Nazca people. The Nazca civilization flourished in a desert environment. The Pacific Ocean was vitally important, and the shark was one of its most powerful symbols. It's likely that the image of the shark was tied to ideas of strength, survival, and perhaps even the spiritual world. The vessel itself, with its two spouts and connecting bridge, is typical of Nazca pottery, which was often used in ritual and ceremonial contexts. As historians, we look at archaeological records, ecological factors, and studies of religion to understand more about the cultural significance of objects like this, seeing in them the beliefs and values of a complex society.