Overmodelled skull

An overmodelled skull is a skull covered with various materials to reconstruct the appearance of a human head. This technique of art and religion is described in many countries throughout the ages.

Origins

A custom that has existed since the Neolithic era, it is widespread in Oceania and the Near East.^[1] It originated as a cult of ancestors and consists of covering the dry skull with a plastic material, such as earth, clay, ash, plaster or lime.^[2] Skulls can be embellished with pigments, jewellery etc. Sometimes, skulls of animals are also over-modelled.^[3]

Gallery

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  Overmodelled skull, Vanuatu.
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  Overmodelled skull, Vanuatu.
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  Skull in the musée du quai Branly.
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  Skull of the musée d'ethnographie de Genève, 19th.
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  Overmodelled skull in Amman, neolithic era.