Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – In Lago do Cochila, located in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, fallen trees are a frequent occurrence due to the area’s approximately 70 artificial islands and the impact of heavy rains on the landscape. However, when enormous pots were found entangled in the roots of a tree, it was an unprecedented discovery for local residents.
Credit: Geórgea Holanda/Mamirauá Institute
The local community’s direct involvement made the archaeological discovery possible. Fisherman Walfredo Cerqueira promptly informed authorities, leading to an investigation by researchers from the Mamirauá Institute and archaeologists from the São Lázaro do Arumandubinha community.
The methodology employed in this work is considered innovative from both technical and social perspectives. The excavation involved active community participation and required complex logistical adaptations due to the remote location and riverine context of the region.
“These artificial islands are archaeological structures built in higher floodplain areas, using material removed from other areas and mixed with ceramic fragments, intentionally positioned to provide support,” explains archaeologist Márcio Amaral. “It’s a highly sophisticated indigenous engineering technique, demonstrating past territorial management and significant population density.”
This excavation took place in the Médio Solimões region—a site familiar to researchers since 2015—believed to consist of ancient artificial islands that formed a vast embankment. This evidence suggests that past inhabitants possessed advanced construction and engineering skills. Beneath the fallen tree lay a burial site containing seven ceramic urns with human bones estimated to be thousands of years old. These findings provide valuable insights into early life and burial customs in this Amazonian region, highlighting complex Indigenous practices.
Credit: Geórgea Holanda/Mamirauá Institute
The urns were discovered approximately 40 centimeters below ground, without ceramic lids; experts speculate that they might have been sealed with organic materials that have since decayed. Made from greenish clay with red painted stripes—features uncommon in other regional ceramics—the artifacts may represent an undocumented cultural tradition, according to initial analyses.
The discovery of the urns presented unique challenges due to the conditions in which they were found. To address these, excavations were conducted on an elevated structure crafted from wood and vines by local communities. The challenging terrain necessitated a distinctive approach from the excavation team.
Amaral noted that this was an unprecedented experience for them, as they worked 3.20 meters below ground level with an elevation datum installed for stratigraphic control—a truly collaborative effort.
Transporting the urns to the Mamirauá Institute headquarters in Tefé involved significant logistical planning. This operation utilized canoes, temporary camps, and artisanal methods to ensure the protection of the artifacts.
Credit: Geórgea Holanda/Mamirauá Institute
Although Fonte Boa, where these discoveries occurred, is approximately 190 km from Tefé by air, navigating the river can take between 10 and 12 hours depending on watercourse conditions and vessel type. Additionally, reaching the archaeological site required several hours of travel through creeks and flooded areas from the nearest community.
In a press statement, scientists informed that the material collected is currently being analyzed and curated in a laboratory located in Tefé. Preliminary findings reveal a diverse array of ceramics, suggesting an as yet unknown cultural horizon in the Upper Solimões region. Notably, the use of an uncommon greenish clay and fragments featuring engobes and red bands have been identified, which do not align with any previously recognized ceramic traditions such as the Amazon’s Polychrome Tradition.
See also: More Archaeology News
These discoveries expand our understanding of how floodplain areas were occupied, underscoring the cultural intricacy of these ancient societies. They engaged in practices like ritual urn usage, constructing artificial islands, and conducting food-related burials. This evidence challenges previous notions that floodplains were only temporarily inhabited, indicating instead a sustained adaptation to their environment.
The research was conducted collaboratively with local communities, highlighting that integrating traditional knowledge was crucial to its success. Archaeologist Márcio Amaral noted this approach as “archaeology from the inside out.”
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer