of the most sophisticated styles of
the prehistoric Americas.
Most of the vessels and objects
date back to A.D. 600 - 1200.
Left: Replica of a 1,400 year-old
funerary urn, from a burial in
Guajará Mound, Marajó Island.
complex. About 15 finishing techniques are known, which combine red and white
wash, incision, excision and painting in various ways. Also, modeled animals and
human figurines are used as handles and appliqués on plates, bowls, stools, and
vessels. The repertory of vessel shapes and objects are numerous. It is possible to
find funerary urns, vases, bowls, bottles, toasters, snuffers, plates, stools, pubic
covers (tangas), adornments, and spindle whorls of various sizes and decoration.
Within the Marajoara style, there are some sub-styles distributed over different
regions on Marajo Island. Painted urns shaped as female owls are found at the
Anajás River area, while incised feminine urns decorated with snake patterns are
characteristic of the Arari Lake region.The distribution of styles was likely related to
group affiliation. Consequently, art can be used to characterize, differentiate and
understand relations between social groups who are geographically apart, but
culturally related.
designs. Turtle heads as
handles are very common within
Marajoara style
Pará, Brazil. The potters are in most cases descendants of indians (not Marajoara
indians) and learned to make pottery with their mothers. In Icoaraci, Mestre
Cardoso started a tradition of making replicas of Marajoara ceramics for sale, and
thought tohers to do so. It has helped to preserve and disseminate the memory of
indigenous societies and their crafts and it is important in stimulating the tourism in
the region.
