Treasures from the Treasure Ships: Religious Ivory Carvings and the Archaeology of their Journey Through the Manila Galleon Trade (1565-1815)

Abstract

This thesis is an archaeological study of the religious ivory carving trade goods that were popular in the Manila galleon trade route (Nao de China) from 1565 to 1815. This trade system covered over 15,000 miles of exotic goods transportation throughout Southeast Asia across the Pacific Ocean to Acapulco and onwards across the Atlantic to Spain during this era. A post-processual methodology and object biography approach is used to demonstrate how these religious ivory carvings have visibly transformed throughout their life-history within this trade route. I use primary historical sources, primary and secondary archaeological sources, as well as religious ivory carving artifacts to map out the archaeological history of these ivory carvings from the collection of raw ivory in Africa and Asia, through multi-stage production processes along the trade route, and “final” sale in Spain. In following the path of these religious ivory carvings from beginning to end this thesis also brings forth arguments as to why the standard Hispano-Filipino and Indo-Portugués categorization of religious ivory carvings is inaccurate and detrimental to our understanding of these ivory treasures and the cultural interactions that were essential to ivory production and the Manila galleon trade. This thesis offers valuable archaeological and historical insight into a prized commodity that still circulates the global market today, as well as providing insight into an area of history that is still under-studied.