A Green Legacy About to Vanish from Sight
Jade, that deep green stone evoking mystery and antiquity, held a central place in pre-Columbian Costa Rican societies. The temporary exhibition “Much More than Green”, currently in its final two months before closing on May 29, offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the fascinating tradition of this material in the country. Presented by the National Museum of Costa Rica, the exhibition unveils the complexity of jade beyond its aesthetic beauty, exploring its deep symbolism, intricate manufacturing techniques, diverse uses, and the archaeological contexts in which it has been discovered. Through a rich collection of artifacts and the results of exhaustive research, “Much More than Green” invites us to reconsider the meaning of these pieces and their connection to other materials such as ceramics, stone, wood, gold, shell, and bone.
Jade in Costa Rican Archaeological Context: Treasures Unearthed from the Guanacaste Past
The foundation of the “Much More than Green” exhibition lies in the extensive research conducted by the National Museum of Costa Rica over more than twenty years at two ancient cemeteries within the archaeological sites of Huiscoyol and La Regla. Strategically located in the Gulf of Nicoya, in the province of Guanacaste, these sites have revealed crucial information about the earliest populations who worked jade in the national territory. The meticulous study of skeletal remains and associated funerary offerings has allowed the unearthing of the oldest jade artifacts found to date in Costa Rica, providing an invaluable window into the pre-Columbian past.
Among the most notable findings on display are jade pendants and other stones, staff finials denoting power and status, possible musical instruments evoking ancestral sounds, as well as vessels, jars, metates, grinding stones, axes, and various tools. These objects not only demonstrate the craftsmanship of the early communities settled around the Gulf of Nicoya—a region blessed with abundant coastal and terrestrial natural resources—but also reveal the importance of jade in their daily and ritual life.
Symbolism and Use of Jade: Beyond Ornamentation in Ancient Cemeteries
The exhibition transports us directly to the funerary contexts of La Regla and Huiscoyol, where the presence of jade ornaments and ceramic objects alongside human remains tells an eloquent story. Excavations revealed that some burial pits contained the remains of multiple individuals, including children, women, and men, suggesting complex and possibly differentiated funerary practices. The presence of jade alongside objects such as metates and stone tools raises questions about the role of these items in the passage to the afterlife and the beliefs of these societies.
The diversity of jade objects displayed in “Much More than Green” is remarkable. Visitors can contemplate the iconic axe-bird pendants, considered the most outstanding jade ornaments from La Regla and Huiscoyol, as well as other pieces adorned with stylized representations of local fauna: birds, coatis, turtles, armadillos, and bats. The human figure also features in the repertoire of motifs carved into figurines and other jade objects. Additionally, the exhibition presents staff finials crafted from jade and other rocks, some with simple rounded shapes—such as the one found in the grave of a teenage girl or young woman in Huiscoyol—and others with elaborate bird motifs, a recurring theme in Costa Rican jade iconography. The concentration of these valuable objects in the country’s oldest known cemeteries underscores the deep connection between jade and the mortuary practices of these early societies.
Jade Crafting and Technique: A Tradition with a Unique Signature Born from Exchange
“Much More than Green” delves into the meticulous work involved in the creation of jade objects, revealing mastery of sophisticated techniques and great skill in handling hard materials. The exhibition highlights how the jade tradition in Costa Rica, which began around 600 BCE and developed over approximately 1300 years in the northern and central regions of the territory, acquired a unique style.
This development was not isolated; the exhibition suggests an influence from the knowledge of the Olmec people, settled in what is now Mexico, which likely reached these latitudes through exchange. However, this heritage was uniquely adapted and transformed in Central America, and Costa Rica was no exception, primarily using local raw materials for its creations.
The exhibit illustrates the lengthy processes of cutting and abrasion, often carried out on wet surfaces, that shaped jade pieces through pounding, drilling, and sawing. Pre-Columbian artisans used a variety of materials such as rocks, cords, sands, ground stones, and resins in this laborious process.
Their tools included files, polishers, drills, and engravers. Initially, a preform was made from the raw material, which was then polished by rubbing it against other stones until the desired finish was achieved. The presence in the exhibit of jade blocks and other rocks with evident marks of cord-sawing provides a tangible view of these extraction and preparation techniques. Moreover, the inclusion of pieces left unfinished or fractured during their production helps us better understand the stages and challenges of jade manufacturing. The exhibition also addresses the concept of “social jade”, a term used to describe objects that, although visually similar to jade, are made from other types of green stones such as serpentinite, jasper, or quartz. The difficulty in distinguishing these materials with the naked eye highlights the need for specialized analysis for accurate identification.
Challenges for Research and Conservation: The Submerged Legacy and the Fragility of Time
A fascinating peculiarity of the archaeological sites of La Regla and Huiscoyol—and therefore of the jade tradition evidence found there—are their geographic conditions that lead to periodic flooding. In the case of La Regla, high tides cause seawater to flood the area, while in Huiscoyol, the presence of an aquifer keeps the land waterlogged for most of the time.
This unique feature categorizes a significant part of the evidence found as underwater archaeological heritage, which represented a considerable challenge for the National Museum during the investigations and excavations of the cultural remains.
However, these seemingly adverse conditions had an unexpected and positive effect on the preservation of organic material. The burials submerged in water and mud helped conserve some wooden objects and plant fibers for hundreds of years—a rare phenomenon in tropical archaeological contexts. The exhibition presents remarkable examples, such as the remains of a human foot wrapped in plant fiber, whose arrangement suggests a shroud in its natural state, and an exceptional oak wood stool recovered from looting at Huiscoyol. This piece, together with a clay figurine representing a woman seated on a similar stool, highlights the rarity of wooden object survival through time.
After entering the National Museum’s collections, the stool underwent a rigorous restoration process to stabilize its moisture, clean its surface, rehydrate the wood, and finally subject it to controlled drying, ensuring its long-term preservation. These findings and the efforts to preserve them highlight the unique challenges faced in the research and conservation of Costa Rica’s archaeological heritage, especially that which is found in underwater contexts.
The Exhibition as an Experience: A Sensory Encounter with the Pre-Columbian Past
Visiting “Much More than Green” goes beyond the mere contemplation of ancient objects; the museography has been carefully designed to offer an immersive and educational experience. The arrangement of ceramic pieces and stone metates, all belonging to the valuable archaeological collections of the National Museum of Costa Rica, allows for the appreciation of these artifacts from multiple perspectives, revealing details that might go unnoticed during a superficial observation. One of the central display cases brings together a selection of jade and other green stone objects known as “social jade,” standing out for their size, shape, intricate details, and finishes, inviting reflection on the mastery of pre-Columbian artisans and the value placed on these materials.
To further enrich the visitor’s experience, “Much More than Green” is accompanied by an evocative musical environment. The Costa Rican group Amarillo Cian y Magenta composed a special musical background for the exhibition inspired by jade and the pre-Columbian era, creating a sound atmosphere that transports the public to an ancestral time. At the exhibition’s opening on July 30, 2024, the group performed a six-movement musical piece, each evoking different soundscapes and stories—from a dreamlike vision of the world of the ancestors to an offering to honor their legacy. In this composition, each instrument played the role of a character: the bassoon representing a shaman, the clarinet the spirit of jade, the percussion the Indigenous peoples, the guitar and bass nature, and the piano symbolizing contemporary people. This integration of music with the visual exhibition seeks to stimulate a deeper and more emotional connection with Costa Rica’s pre-Columbian heritage.
A Precious Legacy that Inspires and Challenges
In its final weeks before closing on May 29, the temporary exhibition “Much More than Green” stands as an invaluable testament to Costa Rica’s rich jade tradition. Through the careful presentation of the findings from Huiscoyol and La Regla, the exhibition offers a profound understanding of the symbolism, manufacture, use, and archaeological contexts of these precious objects. Jade, far more than just a green stone, is revealed as a central element in the ritual, social, and possibly political life of the pre-Columbian societies of the Gulf of Nicoya.
The exhibition emphasizes the importance of continued archaeological research and the crucial role of the National Museum of Costa Rica in preserving and sharing this cultural heritage. The inherent challenges of researching underwater contexts and the need for specialized techniques to identify and conserve materials highlight the complexity of studying and protecting this legacy. “Much More than Green” not only honors the memory of Costa Rica’s ancient inhabitants and their mastery of jade craftsmanship but also invites today’s public to reflect on the enduring nature of their legacy and the importance of preserving it for future generations. The opportunity to witness this unique window into Costa Rica’s pre-Columbian past is coming to an end, making a visit to “Much More than Green” an unmissable experience for those seeking to connect with the country’s deep historical roots.
