Abstract
Dwellings on stilts were a common type of construction in the lowlands of South America from the pre-colonial period to the present day. The main function of these houses on stilts is to protect their inhabitants from the constant Amazon floods during the rainy season. This article examines the Formoso stilt village, located in the Baixada Maranhense, in the easternmost portion of the Brazilian Amazon. The analysis of the pottery material revealed technological characteristics of the Incised-Punctate/Arauquinoid Tradition Phase of the Northeast of South America lowlands. Radiocarbon dating between 1566-1469 BP indicates that this stilt village is as old as those located in the Venezuela and Guianas, if not even older. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of stilts of the settlement corroborated to pottery analysis showed alinear/rectangular ceremonial space connected by stilts to the circular/residen- cial area. Formoso stilt village presents an unprecedented form of indigenous habitation never before described in Anthropology and Archaeology of the Lowlands of South America.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
