In Spring 2012, Dr. Jose Cuellar, Professor Emeritus of San Francisco State University, accepted a Hrdy Fellowship with the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology. He researched and recorded over 200 ceramic ocarinas in the museum's collection that had been excavated from archaeological sites throughout Central America and Mexcio.
As an anthropologist, accomplished musician and member of the Mexican-Amerian community, Dr. Cuellar offered a combined perspective that has enriched our understanding of these ancient musical instruments and the people who made and played them.
"My primary objective was to breath life…to play these instruments and bring them to life."
—Jose Cuellar, 2015