COLLECTING POTSHERDS: SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE KORIABO PHASE IN AMAPÁ

Abstract

By expanding the archaeological research in Amapá, new  contexts emerged, demanding thinking on how to classify the archaeological material. The argument I make here begins with an investigation into how the Koriabo phase concept has been used in other areas of the Guyana Shield. In most cases, the term Koriabo has been widely generalized in the archeology of the region. As a result, the similarities and differences are neglected, with a strong tendency towards homogenization. However, recent excavations in French Guyana and Amapá point to different contexts of pottery deposition. In Amapá, detailed excavations over wide surfaces have offered new basis for thinking about classifications, departing from the knowledge of depositional contexts. Based on argument here developed, I suggest that it is necessary to broaden the focus in particular contexts before we turn to the general classifications, so we can to refine our data and interpretations. Keywords: Koriabo phase, archaeology of Guyanas, classifcation