Burial masks in the pre-Hispanic cultures of southwestern Colombia

Burial masks made from metal or ceramic could be recognized as one of the specific archaeological markers for the high status of buried persons in the pre-Hispanic cultures of the southwestern part of modern Colombia. As an example, unique complexes of tombs No. 47 and 51, Coronado necropolis (Department Valle del Cauca) (Yotoco culture, 200 BC - 200 AD), and ceramic masks with anthropomorphic, ornitomorphic, and zoomorphic symbolism are examined. The images of birds and bats in the ancient cultures of Northern Andes (Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela) and PreColumbian Americas in whole are one of the diagnostic features which link the buried persons with the rank of shamans. The performed analysis of the peculiarities of the burials assemblage allows not only identifying the tombs of various social groups (caciques, shamans), but to indicate the differences in the attributes of the shamans, connected with the specific roles (birds - light, bats - darkness) in ritual practice.