In an extraordinary archaeological breakthrough, researchers have uncovered seven large ceramic urns under the roots of a fallen tree in the Brazilian Amazon. These urns, which contain human remains along with fish and turtle bones, were found in a remote floodplain region near Fonte Boa, Brazil. The discovery, made by a team from the Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development, provides new insights into ancient burial practices and Indigenous life in the Amazon. This remarkable find is detailed in a report from the Mamirauá Institute, furthering our understanding of Amazonian societies and their ability to adapt to and shape their environment.
The Unveiling of the Ceramic Urns: A Remarkable Find
The seven ceramic funerary urns discovered beneath a fallen tree in the Brazilian Amazon are a true marvel of ancient craftsmanship and ritual. These urns, some as large as three feet in diameter and weighing up to 770 pounds, were buried in the soils of a floodplain, approximately 16 inches beneath the surface. Their discovery challenges previous perceptions of Amazonian life, offering a rare glimpse into the funerary practices and lifestyle of ancient Indigenous communities. The urns were unearthed by a team led by archaeologist Márcio Amaral from the Mamirauá Institute, an organization dedicated to preserving and understanding the region’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.
“These urns are large in size, with no visible ceramic lids,” said Geórgea Layla Holanda, a researcher on the team. The urns, according to Holanda, likely had organic materials used for sealing, which have since decomposed. The burial site itself was once a domestic space, suggesting that these urns were carefully placed beneath the floors of homes, rather than in a separate cemetery. This practice emphasizes the importance of these artifacts in the everyday life and cultural practices of the people who lived there.
The Importance of the Location: Floodplains and Elevated Settlements
The urns were found in a region characterized by raised platforms or artificial islands, which Indigenous peoples created to elevate their homes above seasonal floods. This practice, known as the Polychrome Tradition, has been well-documented in the region, where similar floodplain settlements have been observed along the Solimões and Negro rivers. These raised platforms allowed for year-round habitation, providing protection from rising waters and offering a stable place for storage and community gatherings.
_______________________________________________________________________
Archaeologists have long recognized the significance of these elevated settlements, as they reflect a profound understanding of the landscape and a deep connection to the environment. In fact, the discovery of the urns further substantiates the idea that the Amazon was not merely a wilderness but a carefully managed and inhabited region. “They were buried 40 cm deep, likely beneath old houses,” Holanda noted in field updates. That depth matches domestic floors and suggests that these urns were a part of daily life, directly linked to the homes and communities of the people who lived there.
An Unprecedented Effort: The Extraction and Preservation of the Urns
The extraction of these urns was no small feat. Due to their size and fragility, the process of unearthing and preserving the urns required careful planning and significant effort. The crew worked slowly and methodically, using scaffolding made of wood and vines to reach the urns, which were nestled deep within the root ball of the fallen tree.
“It was a completely collaborative and unprecedented effort,” said Amaral. The team’s precision and patience were crucial in preventing damage to the fragile urns. They carefully stabilized the largest urn with plaster bandages and wooden cradles before transporting them to the Mamirauá Institute’s lab in Tefé, approximately 118 miles away. This delicate operation exemplifies the dedication of the research team to preserving the urns for further study and analysis, ensuring that they remain intact for future generations of scholars.
Funerary Practices and Rituals: Insights into Ancient Amazonian Beliefs
The contents of the urns—human remains, along with fish and turtle bones—offer critical insights into the funerary practices of the people who lived in the Amazon. The presence of these animals hints at the possibility of feasting or ritual offerings, which were likely part of the funeral rites associated with these urns. In many South American Indigenous cultures, such offerings were believed to assist the deceased in their journey to the afterlife, marking the importance of both the individual and their relationship with the community.
_______________________________________________________________________
This discovery is significant because it reveals a multistep funerary process that was common in the lowlands of South America, where bones were often cleaned and reburied after initial exposure. The addition of animal remains suggests a complex ritual, one that might have involved symbolic gestures to honor the dead and the continuity of life.
Understanding Amazonian Ceramics: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation
The ceramic urns discovered at this site demonstrate a unique blend of Amazonian ceramic traditions. Unlike the typical regional urns, which often feature sharp, angular designs, these urns are rounder and lack visible ceramic lids. Additionally, the urns incorporate a rare greenish clay, a detail that has raised questions about the possibility of an undocumented local ceramic tradition or a unique community style within a broader network of trade and cultural exchange.
Ceramics in the Amazon have evolved over time, with different styles and techniques emerging to reflect shifts in social, cultural, and environmental changes. The polychrome styles that became popular around A.D. 750 are often characterized by intricate painted designs, and it appears that the urns found in the Cochila region share some of these features. However, the distinctiveness of the Cochila urns points to the possibility of a localized tradition that may not fully align with known phases of Amazonian ceramic history.