Current Research
Geometric Enclosures of the Amazon
Huge geometric enclosures were first noticed in Western Amazonia some 30
years ago. However, only recently they have been studied by a team of
archaeologists which include Denise Schaan (UFPA), Martti Parssinen (Univ. of
Helsinque), Sanna Saunaluoma (Univ. of Helsinque), Alceu Ranzi (UFAC) and
MIriam Bueno (UFAC). Up to now some 200 of these sites have been spotted
over an area that covers 400 miles from the state of Acre to the state of
Amazonas, Brazil. The 300 to 900 feet large circles, rectangles, and other
geometric figures are formed by ditches and outer banks, excavated by
pre-Columbian Amazonians 1,000 years and more ago. What were they used
for? Which was their symbolic meaning? Were they built in the open, at a time
where there was no forest in the region? These are some of the questions our
research is trying to answer.
Huge geometric enclosures were first noticed in Western Amazonia some 30
years ago. However, only recently they have been studied by a team of
archaeologists which include Denise Schaan (UFPA), Martti Parssinen (Univ. of
Helsinque), Sanna Saunaluoma (Univ. of Helsinque), Alceu Ranzi (UFAC) and
MIriam Bueno (UFAC). Up to now some 200 of these sites have been spotted
over an area that covers 400 miles from the state of Acre to the state of
Amazonas, Brazil. The 300 to 900 feet large circles, rectangles, and other
geometric figures are formed by ditches and outer banks, excavated by
pre-Columbian Amazonians 1,000 years and more ago. What were they used
for? Which was their symbolic meaning? Were they built in the open, at a time
where there was no forest in the region? These are some of the questions our
research is trying to answer.
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Marajoara Culture
From AD 400 to 1300, competitive chiefdoms populated the savannas of Marajo
Island, at the Amazon river delta. These were mound building societies which
developed a sophisticated culture known especially by their beautiful ceramics.
Research in the area was carried out by Betty Meggers and Clifford Evans, Mario
Simões and Napoleão Figueiredo, Anna Roosevelt, and Denise Schaan.
Marajoara societies developed complex systems of water management
comprised of ditches, ponds, and earthen mounds. Their economy was based
on intensive seasonal fishing, gathering of wild foods, and probably manioc
cultivation.
From AD 400 to 1300, competitive chiefdoms populated the savannas of Marajo
Island, at the Amazon river delta. These were mound building societies which
developed a sophisticated culture known especially by their beautiful ceramics.
Research in the area was carried out by Betty Meggers and Clifford Evans, Mario
Simões and Napoleão Figueiredo, Anna Roosevelt, and Denise Schaan.
Marajoara societies developed complex systems of water management
comprised of ditches, ponds, and earthen mounds. Their economy was based
on intensive seasonal fishing, gathering of wild foods, and probably manioc
cultivation.
Archaeology in Santarém
The city of Santarém, in the lower Amazon, is sitting on a large archaeological
site. The place was occupied in the 16th century by the Tapajós, a powerful
chiefdom, whose limits extended further south, for over 100 miles, along the
Tapajós river margins and the Belterra plateau.
The Tapajós sites are characterized by large sites containing thick layers of ADE
(Amazonian Dark Earths), incised-punctate tradition pottery, the infamous green
stone pendants (muiraquitãs), and several other lithic tools. On the Belterra
plateau they excavated ponds in order to store water for their daily needs. They
lived on fish, manioc, and maize. They were conquered by the Portuguese in the
17th century.
The city of Santarém, in the lower Amazon, is sitting on a large archaeological
site. The place was occupied in the 16th century by the Tapajós, a powerful
chiefdom, whose limits extended further south, for over 100 miles, along the
Tapajós river margins and the Belterra plateau.
The Tapajós sites are characterized by large sites containing thick layers of ADE
(Amazonian Dark Earths), incised-punctate tradition pottery, the infamous green
stone pendants (muiraquitãs), and several other lithic tools. On the Belterra
plateau they excavated ponds in order to store water for their daily needs. They
lived on fish, manioc, and maize. They were conquered by the Portuguese in the
17th century.