Taino Collection

Puerto Rico, North Coast, Karst Country, Utuado, Parque Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana, tree at ancient Taino peoples ceremonial site

Pointed stone, 15th (engraving)
2909992 Pointed stone, 15th (engraving); (add.info.: Pointed stone from the Taino culture. Created by the Arawak people, the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean)

Puerto Rico, North Coast, Karst Country, Utuado, Parque Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana, monoliths at ancient Taino peoples ceremonial site

Lithic ring. Taino culture (1000-1500 AD). Stone. Caribbean. Antilles. Pre-columbian era. Museum of the Americas. Madrid, Spain. Date: 2018

Christopher Columbus exploring the West Indies
Portrait of Christopher Columbus 1, Columbuss first landing on San Salvador (Bahamas) 2, and Columbus dining with a Taino chieftain or Cacique on Hispaniola 3

Title page with vignette of Native American woman and child
Title page with vignette of Native American woman in feather headdress with small child. Copperplate engraving from Rev. Isaac Taylors Scenes in America

Christopher Columbus firing the cannon for the Taino chieftain or cacique Guacanagarix on Hispaniola 4
6337830 Christopher Columbus firing the cannon for the Taino chieftain or cacique Guacanagarix on Hispaniola 4, Columbus attacking the Native American army on Hispaniola 5

Portrait of Christopher Columbus 1, Columbuss first landing on San Salvador (Bahamas) 2
6337827 Portrait of Christopher Columbus 1, Columbuss first landing on San Salvador (Bahamas) 2, and Columbus dining with a Taino chieftain or Cacique on Hispaniola 3 by English School

Necklace with amulet (stone)
834165 Necklace with amulet (stone) by Taino Culture; height: 5.2 cm; Museo del Hombre Dominicano, Dominican Republic; Photo eDirk Bakker; Dominican, out of copyright

Three-pointer Zemi (stone)
834163 Three-pointer Zemi (stone) by Taino Culture; 25x19 cm; Museo del Hombre Dominicano, Dominican Republic; (add.info.: A zemi or cemi is a deity or ancestral spirit)

Vomiting stick (manatee bone)
834199 Vomiting stick (manatee bone) by Taino Culture; height: 21 cm; Fundacion Garcia Arevalo, Dominican Republic; (add.info.: Before certain ceremonies, TaAinos would purify themselves)

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (1451-1506). Italian navigator. Landing on the island of Hispaniola, 1492. Etching, 1728

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (1451-1506). Italian navigator. Columbus landing on the island of Hispaniola, 1492. Etching, Spanish, 1728

COLUMBUS: HISPANIOLA, 1492. Christopher Columbus trading with the native Indians of Hispaniola on his first voyage to the New World, 1492

HISPANIOLA: TRADING, 1493. Christopher Columbus trading with the Indians of Hispaniola: colored woodcut from the illustrated edition of the Columbus letter to Sanchez, 1493

Natives of Hispaniola aid Christopher Columbus crew in salvaging supplies from the Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA: WRECK, 1492. Natives of Hispaniola aid Christopher Columbus crew in salvaging supplies from the Santa Maria, wrecked on a coral reef on Christmas Day 1492

SANTA MARIA: WRECK, 1492. Natives of Hispaniola aid Christopher Columbus crew in salvaging supplies from the Santa Maria, wrecked on a coral reef, Christmas Day 1492; Columbus

SANTA MARIA: WRECK, 1492. / nNatives of Hispaniola aid Christopher Columbus crew
SANTA MARIA: WRECK, 1492. /nNatives of Hispaniola aid Christopher Columbus crew in salvaging supplies from the Santa Maria, wrecked on a coral reef on Christmas Day 1492

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The Taino, an indigenous people of the Caribbean, left a lasting impact on Puerto Rico's history and culture. Located along the North Coast in the Karst Country, Utuado is home to the Parque Ceremonial Indigena de Caguana, where remnants civilization can still be found. One remarkable artifact from this era is the lithic ring, representing the rich heritage culture between 1000-1500 AD. This stone object serves as a testament to their advanced craftsmanship and artistic abilities. However, not all aspects of their history were positive. The engraving titled "The Burning of Hatuey" depicts a tragic event that occurred on February 2nd, 1512 when Spaniards attacked Yara in Cuba. It serves as a reminder of the violent encounters between European colonizers and native communities. Christopher Columbus played a significant role in exploring the West Indies and encountering the Taino people during his voyages. Depicted in various scenes such as firing cannons for Taino chieftains or dining with them on Hispaniola, these images illustrate both cultural exchange and conflict. Tainos had unique customs and beliefs reflected through their artifacts like necklaces with amulets made from stones believed to hold spiritual significance. Another intriguing object is the three-pointer Zemi made from stone—a symbol that held deep meaning within their religious practices. Interestingly enough, even manatee bones served a purpose for Tainos; they crafted vomiting sticks out of them for ceremonial use. These objects provide insight into their daily lives and rituals. Despite facing colonization by Europeans like Christopher Columbus who brought devastation upon native populations, it's important to recognize and appreciate elements culture that have survived throughout history. Their legacy continues to shape Puerto Rico's identity today.