THE MARAJOARA POTTERY STOOLS: THEIR CONTEXTS AND POSSIBLE SYMBOLIC MEANINGS

Abstract

This article presents a study on the pottery stools of the marajoaraphase of the Amazonian polychrome tradition, based on dataobtained during fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Ethnohistorical and ethnographic information are used to construct hypotheses about the possible uses and meanings of the probable circular pottery seats found on the island of Marajó, which rare in other ethnographic and archaeological contexts. The absence of stools in funerary contexts is taken as an indication of its mundane use, although they may have been used in other ritual contexts as well. The analyses of these objects’ iconography, where incised designs predominate, suggest that they might mimic woven fiber mats; therefore it is logic they would serve as seats. Finally, an ethnographic description of a female castration ceremony is presented showing the use of four exotic and rare objects, which are all part of the marajoara phase material culture assemblage. The ethnographic analogy in this case brings new possibilities to understand the possible uses for marajoara phase stools.Keywords: pottery stools, marajoara phase, amazonian archaeology.