Page 8 - AHATA

A14 LOCAL
Thursday 12 december 2019
Post Aruba emitted a new set of “archaeological stamps 2019”

ORANJESTAD —Post Aruba N.V. Malmok near a burial site. Archae-
emitted a new set of “Archaeologi- ologists study “shell middens” to
cal Stamps 2019”. discover what kind of food ancient
people ate. These deposits show
The set consists of four stamps that Amerindians ate conch, turtle,
namely 100c, 130c, 220c and 320c, clams, fish and snails.
for a total amount of Afl.7, 70. The
first-day-envelope costs Afl. 9, 45. 320 cents: Burial Practices
The stamps are designed by Alfon- Amerindian burial practices were
so the Windt. They are printed by deliberate and often elaborate,
the Johan Enschedé Security Print. incorporating rich grave goods
that identified the person’s sta-
100 cents: Tools tus in the community. During the
This stamp represents an Ancient Ceramic Period, the house func-
Hammer and Grain Grinder. Imag- tioned as both living space and
ine all the tasks you do in one day burial ground. Many graves were
and the many different tools need- discovered under the dirt floors of
ed to complete them. Amerindians houses and village plazas. People
spent a lot of time making, recy- living in the Ceramic period often
cling and repairing tools from the buried their dead in jars or urns.
materials readily available to them This type of burial is referred to as
such as stone, shell, coral, wood an “urn burial”, which can be di-
and bone. vided in primary and secondary. In
a primary urn burial, the individual
130 cents: Excavating Ceramic is buried right after death and all
Objects; Eating and Drinking bones are present. In a secondary
This stamp represents bowls, uten- urn burial, all or some of the bones
sils and cups, everything you need ing. These were just a few of the although shell was much more from a body buried in a pit or left to
to eat, drink and share food. Al- techniques used by artisans. This common. Among the Caiquetio, desiccate in the open air, are col-
though the materials are different, skill is most prominently displayed the smallest, most finely crafted lected after some time and rebur-
ancient dishware served the same in exquisitely crafted stone and beads would have held the high- ied in an urn.
purpose as it does today. The kitch- shell beads. The workmanship is so est value. The skill required to shape
en was and is a busy place. Am- precise, that attempts to replicate and drill these tiny pieces was very These stamps are available at all
erindians worked together to pre- it have failed. Finely crafted pot- much appreciated. Many of these the Post Office locations in Oran-
pare and cook food in communal tery was delicately painted, mold- objects were discovered in graves, jestad, San Nicolas and Sta. Cruz.
areas outside the home. Archae- ed, incised and punctured. Bead illustrating their importance. Huge Make sure that you have this set in
ologists have discovered many necklaces were not only forms of deposits of shells called “shell mid- your collection as the stock is lim-
artefacts used for processing and decoration and personal status, dens” have been discovered in ited. For more information on the
storing food. but also used as currency in trad- Aruba. A “shell midden” is a heap “Archaeological Stamps 2019” is-
ing relations. The value was deter- that is primarily made up of shells sue, please contact the Philatelic
220 cents: Beauty and Currency mined by the craftsmanship, the and marine remains that have Department at +297 528-7678 /
From the smallest pendant to the length of the necklace and the size been discarded after the edible main office located at J.E. Iraus-
most finely decorated ceramic, of the beads. part of the animal was removed. quinplein # 9, Oranjestad or vis-
the skill and creativity of Amerin- Most “middens” are located near it their Facebook page: Aruba
dians is unmistakable; drilling, pol- In Aruba, both shell and stone the shore except for one pre-ce- Stamps and Webpage: postaruba.
ishing, painting, grinding model- necklaces have been discovered, ramic deposit located inland at com. q

Canada and

USA honorees

EAGLE BEACH — Recently,
Marouska Heyliger honored
Tammy and Bob Berry from
Ontario with their Distinguished
visitors certificate and Pamela
and Richard Rupp from Iowa
with their Goodwill Ambassa-
dors certificate in the name of
the Aruba Tourism Authority.

The event which commemo-
rates the Berry’s 10th and the
Rupp’s 26th consecutive visit
to the island was held at Divi
Village Resort. Both honor-
ees love coming to the island
for its friendly people, safety
of the island and beautiful
weather.q