If art indeed reflects the nature of a society, then the Tairona were fun loving and playful, a people who delighted in whimsy and joyful expression. Tairona villages were often quite large, consisting of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dwellings. They were well ordered and connected with one another by an elaborate network of stone, slab-paved roads. In many houses a pottery vessel containing small pebbles was buried beneath the floor. The pebbles represented family members, and at the birth of a child the pot was dug up and another pebble placed inside. In this manner all the inhabitants were identified and taken under the protection of the spirits who were guardians of the dwelling. It is hard to imagine a more perfect object for such a use than this very adorable animal vessel. Though we cannot be certain it was intended for this purpose, the sheer delight it brings is full of warmth and family spirit. The animal bears a resemblance to a hedgehog or other small mammals, with clever stylization revealing the artist's sense of humor. Details of realism add even more charm; such as the tiny feet, the wonderful smiling face and curly tail. We have here a direct communication from one person to another- artist to viewer, done without barriers, without complications; a simple and pure sharing of innocent pleasure through the medium of art.