Shrunken head, South American, c. 1801-1900
- maker:
- Jivaro people
Shrunken head, with long hair, by Jivaro tribe, Ecuador, c1801-1900. The shrinking of heads is a custom practised by a number of tribes in South America. The process of shrinking the head involves removing the skull and filling the cavity with hot sand in order to dry out the skin. It usually takes about a week for the head to shrink to the size of an orange.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A121091
- Materials:
- human skin and human hair
- Measurements:
-
overall weight (estimated): x x , , .18kg
- type:
- human remains and shrunken heads
- credit:
- Wellcome Trust
