Ancient pots and potters of the Atures Rapids region: occupation and interaction processes in pre-colonial Middle Orinoco, Venezuela

The earliest written sources on the Middle Orinoco inhabitants singled-out the Átures Rapids as a key trading centre between the 16th and 18th century and from before the Spanish arrival. The previous archaeological studies described the ceramic materials in terms of form and style, following a cultural historic approach, and mostly interested in answering chronological questions. However, the pre- colonial indigenous occupation of the area and exchange network was still poorly known. In particular, the peopling of this area has been the centre of debate since most of the archaeological materials found along the river present a varied range of co-occurring paste recipes that used several different inorganic and organic ingredients, followed distinct production technologies and displayed different vessel forms, challenging the idea of a traditionally defined ‘ceramic culture’. Co-existing, distinct ceramic wares with different production sequences are reconstructed in the present research using petrography, portable X-ray fluorescence and macro trace analysis, which suggest a more nuanced ‘reading’ on the ancient inhabitants of the Orinoco river. Based on ceramic technology studies, interaction, emulation, innovation and trading activities are discussed through the analysis of pottery sherds recovered from three newly excavated sites: Culebra (cal. AD 437-1155), Rabo de Cochino island (cal. 100 BC- AD 1440) and Picure island (cal. AD 310-1480). The stratigraphic distribution, persistence of ceramics through the sequence and variability in these sites will be presented as part of an initial discussion that intends to contribute to the reconstruction of various pre-colonial occupations and interaction processes of the Átures region in Venezuela

De minerales y grupos étnicos prehispánicos - aportes de la geología a los estudios arqueológicos en San Isidro y Cacaramoa (Atlántico, Colombia)

Los fragmentos de cerámica encontrados en los sitios arqueológicos de San Isidro y Cacaramoa (Atlántico, Colombia) ?con una antigüedad que se remonta desde el siglo VII d. C. hasta el siglo XVI? son una evidencia clave para identificar la etnicidad de los grupos humanos que habitaron esta porción del Caribe colombiano en tiempos prehispánico

De cóndores e indígenas - especies amenazadas en El Cocuy

Título del número: Conflictos culturales en áreas protegidas"... En las siguientes líneas discutiré los hechos que vienen ocurriendo en el Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy, que a principios del año pasado fue noticia nacional cuando se convirtió en el hogar de dos cóndores jóvenes criados en cautiverio por la Sociedad Zoológica de San Diego y el Programa de Especies Sobrevivientes de California, Estados Unidos (El Tiempo, 16 de abril de 2011). La iniciativa, que busca recuperar el ave nacional -especie monógama de difícil reproducción-, estuvo acompañada de un hecho que llamó la atención de la opinión pública: los dos cóndores fueron bautizados con los nombres de Wayra y Sirará, palabras en u'wa que significan 'Diosa de los vientos' y 'Montaña'. El uso mediático de Wayra y Sirará como emblemas de la naturaleza es un buen ejemplo de la lógica conservacionista que caracteriza la política de Parques Nacionales Naturales (PNN). Mientras los cóndores que llevan esos nombres...

Etnicidad, cultura material y ocupación humana en el Caribe colombiano: Análisis de la cerámica de los sitios San Isidro y Cacaramoa departamento del Atlántico

Magíster en AntropologíaMaestrí

En ‘Tierra de Caimanes’: imaginarios geográficos, literatura ilustrada y tropicalidad del río Orinoco en las obras de Jules Crevaux (1883) y Jean Chaffanjon (1889)

Objective/context: In France’s second half of the 19th century, magazines such as Le Tour du Monde and illustrated novels were used to promote geographical sciences and educational and political propaganda of the Third Republic and its economic interests based on the diaries of French travelers. This article analyzes the geographical imaginaries of the Orinoco from a case study of the publications of the travels of Jules Crevaux and Jean Chaffanjon. These travelers’ characterization of the territory and its people in their texts and images framed this region within the depressed tropical areas, thus justifying the foreign exploitation of its resources. Methodology: This analysis is based on the publications of both travelers—in Le Tour du Monde articles and illustrated novels— and a corpus of images—published engravings, and photographs and sketches in the archive made in situ during the explorations—. Their analytical approach as historical sources and the visual and iconographic analysis is critical to understanding the production and dissemination of geographical imaginaries about the Orinoco. Originality: Studies on these authors have been widely circulated in France but have been less discussed in South America. This study’s relevance lies in applying the tropicality approach and the geographical imaginaries in informal French imperialism. The images of the Orinoco have been studied in the 18th and early 19th centuries from the illustrations and maps of authors such as Gumilla, Gilij and Humboldt; in this case, we tackle the most extensive corpus of published and unpublished images of this region and its massive circulation at the end of the 19th century, broadening the field of study of the territories in the nations’ periphery. Conclusions: The geographical imaginaries produced from the illustrated press and later in the format of geographical novels circulated widely among the enlightened and general public, disseminating characterizations of this territory and its inhabitants as savage but rich in resources and potentially domesticable. The analysis of the texts and illustrations of the Orinoco, according to French interests in American territories, allowed us to understand its representation as an adventurous and marginal space that still had to be conquered

La ilusión del hermano: expedición a las mitografías antropológica y literaria del Yurupary

The following article takes a close look at the significant approaches taken by which literature and anthropology towardmythology. It explores the nature of these disciplines' multiple perspectives, as well as their shared interest in the topos of origin and identity. Convergences and divergences are analyzed in the light of their respective mythographies of the Yurupary myth

La ilusión del hermano: expedición a las mitografías antropológica y literaria del Yurupary

The following article takes a close look at the significant approaches taken by which literature and anthropology towardmythology. It explores the nature of these disciplines' multiple perspectives, as well as their shared interest in the topos of origin and identity. Convergences and divergences are analyzed in the light of their respective mythographies of the Yurupary myth.O artigo aborda enfoques significativos com os quais a literatura e a antropologia têm estudado o mito. Indaga sobre a natureza de seus olhares e seu interesse comum pelos topoi da origem e da identidade. As convergências e divergências são analisadas à luz de suas mitografias específicas sobre o mito do Yurupary.El siguiente artículo realiza un acercamiento a enfoques significativos con los que la literatura y la antropología han estudiado el mito. Indaga por la naturaleza de sus miradas y su interés común por los topos del origen y la identidad. Las convergencias y divergencias son analizadas a la luz de sus mitografías particulares del mito del Yurupar

Beads and Stamps in the Middle Orinoco: Archaeological Evidence for Interaction and Exchange in the Atures Rapids from AD 1000 to 1480

The area of the Atures Rapids in the Middle Orinoco River (Venezuela), where multiple Indigenous communities gathered to trade goods, has been identified as a prominent center of commerce since early colonial times. However, the exchange activities taking place there between local and nonlocal actors before European colonization are poorly understood, based only on the ethnohistoric record. This article presents an archaeometric analysis of stone beads and ceramic roller stamps, items previously associated with trade practices, from two recently excavated sites in the region, Picure (AD 1030–1480) and Rabo de Cochino (AD 1000–1440); it assesses their provenance, production, and value. We propose that Picure was a site of a bead-manufacturing workshop and a place where roller stamps were exchanged. The stamps were acquired and produced by different potting groups. Analysis of the chaîne opératoire and production techniques shows processes of adaptation and emulation associated with the multiple, multiethnic communities during the period from AD 1000 to 1480. Both beads and stamps are linked to identity regalia that were likely used as part of ceremonies taking place in the area of the Rapids, as indicated by the numerous and monumental petroglyphs found on the islands. // Los Rápidos de Atures en el Medio Orinoco (Venezuela), donde múltiples comunidades indígenas se reunían a intercambiar bienes, han sido reconocidos como un centro de comercio desde el periodo colonial. Sin embargo, el rol de los rápidos como el lugar donde ocurrían actividades de intercambio entre actores locales y foráneos no estaba bien estudiado y se ha basado solamente en el registro etnohistórico. Este artículo presenta un análisis arqueométrico de cuentas de collar líticas y pintaderas de cerámica, objetos previamente asociados con prácticas de intercambio, obtenidos en dos sitios recientemente excavados en la región, Picure (1030-1480 dC) y Rabo de Cochino (1000-1440 dC), para evaluar su proveniencia, producción y valor. Este estudio propone a Picure como un taller de producción de cuentas de collar, así como un lugar para el intercambio de pintaderas. Las pintaderas eran adquiridas y producidas por distintos grupos alfareros. El análisis de sus cadenas operativas y manufactura revelaron procesos de adaptación y emulación asociados con las comunidades múltiples y multiétnicas en el periodo entre 1000 y 1480 dC. Tanto las cuentas como las pintaderas están asociadas a insignias usadas como parte de ceremonias que tenían lugar en el área de los rápidos, asociadas con los numerosos y monumentales petroglifos en estas islas

Entre La Pedrera e Araracuara: a arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá

La arqueología del medio río Caquetá, en la Amazonía colombiana, se conoció recién en los 1970s a partir de los resultados de proyectos de investigación pioneros en Araracuara y La Pedrera. Estas investigaciones identificaron secuencias cerámicas diferentes en cada localidad, documentaron una gran cantidad de petroglifos y, por primera vez, registraron suelos antrópicos negros y pardos en el Noroeste Amazónico. Investigaciones posteriores enfatizaron el estudio de archivos ambientales (arqueobotánicos y geoarqueológicos) y registraron ocupaciones pre-cerámicas del Holoceno temprano y medio. Éstas son particularmente importantes debido a que los datos arqueobotánicos asociados sugieren que las poblaciones de la región cultivaron tempranamente una variedad de plantas comestibles, varias de ellas domesticadas en otras regiones. Sin embargo, la arqueología del medio río Caquetá todavía presenta una serie de interrogantes importantes respecto de las ocupaciones del pre-cerámico y de los extensos sitios de habitación de grupos alfareros. Con respecto a estos últimos, es particularmente importante evaluar hasta qué punto estas ocupaciones se pueden enmarcar en las grandes tradiciones cerámicas conocidas para la Amazonía y la cuenca del Orinoco. En este artículo resumimos la información existente sobre la arqueología del medio río Caquetá y presentamos nuevos datos preliminares producidos en los últimos años, ello con el objetivo de evaluar el estado de nuestros conocimientos y fomentar el desarrollo de futuras investigaciones arqueológicas en la región.The archaeology of the middle Caquetá River, in the Colombian Amazon, only became known in the 1970s through the results of pioneering research projects in Araracuara and La Pedrera. These investigations identified different ceramic sequences at both locales, documented a large number of petroglyphs, and for the first time recorded black and brown anthropic soils in the Northwest Amazon. Subsequent research emphasized the study of environmental archives (archaeobotanical and geoarchaeological) and recorded early and middle Holocene preceramic occupations. The latter are particularly important because associated archaeobotanical data suggest these populations cultivated a range of edible plants, several of them domesticated in other regions. The archaeology of the middle Caquetá River region, however, still holds a number of important questions about both pre-ceramic occupations and the extensive habitation sites of ceramic groups. As regards the latter, it is particularly important to evaluate the extent to which these occupations can be affiliated as part of the broad ceramic traditions known for Amazonia and the Orinoco basin. In order to evaluate the state of our knowledge and encourage the development of future archaeological research in the region, in this article we summarise existing information about the archaeology of the middle Caquetá River and present new preliminary data produced in recent years.A arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá, na Amazônia colombiana, só foi conhecida na década de 1970 a partir dos resultados de projetos de pesquisa pioneiros em Araracuara e La Pedrera. Estas pesquisas identificaram diferentes sequências cerâmicas em cada localidade, documentaram uma grande quantidade de petroglifos e, pela primeira vez, registraram solos antrópicos pretos e marrons no noroeste da Amazônia. Pesquisas posteriores enfatizaram o estudo de arquivos ambientais (arqueobotânicos e geoarqueológicos) e registraram ocupações pré-cerâmicas do Holoceno inicial e médio. Estas são particularmente importantes porque os dados arqueobotânicos associados sugerem que as populações da região cultivaram precocemente uma variedade de plantas comestíveis, várias delas domesticadas em outras regiões. No entanto, a arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá ainda apresenta uma série de questões importantes sobre as ocupações do pré-cerâmico e os amplos sítios de ocupação de grupos cerâmicos. Com relação a estes últimos, é particularmente importante avaliar em que medida essas ocupações podem ser enquadradas nas grandes tradições cerâmicas conhecidas para a Amazônia e a bacia do Orinoco. Neste artigo resumimos a informação existente sobre a arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá e apresentamos novos dados preliminares produzidos nos últimos anos, com o objetivo de avaliar o estado de nosso conhecimento e incentivar o desenvolvimento de futuras pesquisas arqueológicas na região.Dossier: Arqueología y ríos de las Tierras Bajas de América del Sur.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Entre La Pedrera e Araracuara: a arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá

The archaeology of the middle Caquetá River, in the Colombian Amazon, only became known in the 1970s through the results of pioneering research projects in Araracuara and La Pedrera. These investigations identified different ceramic sequences at both locales, documented a large number of petroglyphs, and for the first time recorded black and brown anthropic soils in the Northwest Amazon. Subsequent research emphasized the study of environmental archives (archaeobotanical and geoarchaeological) and recorded early and middle Holocene preceramic occupations. The latter are particularly important because associated archaeobotanical data suggest these populations cultivated a range of edible plants, several of them domesticated in other regions. The archaeology of the middle Caquetá River region, however, still holds a number of important questions about both pre-ceramic occupations and the extensive habitation sites of ceramic groups. As regards the latter, it is particularly important to evaluate the extent to which these occupations can be affiliated as part of the broad ceramic traditions known for Amazonia and the Orinoco basin. In order to evaluate the state of our knowledge and encourage the development of future archaeological research in the region, in this article we summarise existing information about the archaeology of the middle Caquetá River and present new preliminary data produced in recent years.La arqueología del medio río Caquetá, en la Amazonía colombiana, se conoció recién en los 1970s a partir de los resultados de proyectos de investigación pioneros en Araracuara y La Pedrera. Estas investigaciones identificaron secuencias cerámicas diferentes en cada localidad, documentaron una gran cantidad de petroglifos y, por primera vez, registraron suelos antrópicos negros y pardos en el Noroeste Amazónico. Investigaciones posteriores enfatizaron el estudio de archivos ambientales (arqueobotánicos y geoarqueológicos) y registraron ocupaciones pre-cerámicas del Holoceno temprano y medio. Éstas son particularmente importantes debido a que los datos arqueobotánicos asociados sugieren que las poblaciones de la región cultivaron tempranamente una variedad de plantas comestibles, varias de ellas domesticadas en otras regiones. Sin embargo, la arqueología del medio río Caquetá todavía presenta una serie de interrogantes importantes respecto de las ocupaciones del pre-cerámico y de los extensos sitios de habitación de grupos alfareros. Con respecto a estos últimos, es particularmente importante evaluar hasta qué punto estas ocupaciones se pueden enmarcar en las grandes tradiciones cerámicas conocidas para la Amazonía y la cuenca del Orinoco. En este artículo resumimos la información existente sobre la arqueología del medio río Caquetá y presentamos nuevos datos preliminares producidos en los últimos años, ello con el objetivo de evaluar el estado de nuestros conocimientos y fomentar el desarrollo de futuras investigaciones arqueológicas en la región.A arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá, na Amazônia colombiana, só foi conhecida na década de 1970 a partir dos resultados de projetos de pesquisa pioneiros em Araracuara e La Pedrera. Estas pesquisas identificaram diferentes sequências cerâmicas em cada localidade, documentaram uma grande quantidade de petroglifos e, pela primeira vez, registraram solos antrópicos pretos e marrons no noroeste da Amazônia. Pesquisas posteriores enfatizaram o estudo de arquivos ambientais (arqueobotânicos e geoarqueológicos) e registraram ocupações pré-cerâmicas do Holoceno inicial e médio. Estas são particularmente importantes porque os dados arqueobotânicos associados sugerem que as populações da região cultivaram precocemente uma variedade de plantas comestíveis, várias delas domesticadas em outras regiões. No entanto, a arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá ainda apresenta uma série de questões importantes sobre as ocupações do pré-cerâmico e os amplos sítios de ocupação de grupos cerâmicos. Com relação a estes últimos, é particularmente importante avaliar em que medida essas ocupações podem ser enquadradas nas grandes tradições cerâmicas conhecidas para a Amazônia e a bacia do Orinoco. Neste artigo resumimos a informação existente sobre a arqueologia do médio rio Caquetá e apresentamos novos dados preliminares produzidos nos últimos anos, com o objetivo de avaliar o estado de nosso conhecimento e incentivar o desenvolvimento de futuras pesquisas arqueológicas na região