One of the most promising areas for the study of pre-Columbian complex societies in the Amazon River basin is the area of the lower Tapajos, Trombetas and Nhamundá rivers. There are written accounts on the Konduri and Tapajó Indians, presenting information on their regional social organization, trade patterns, abundance of foods, and material world. Hence, archaeological evidences – immense sites, full of anthrosols remains, and beautiful artefacts – may be contrasted with written information. These rich cultural deposits are vanishing at an alarming rate, as urban centres grow, and agriculture expands in the region. Despite this situation, little archaeological research has been conducted in the area, especially when it comes to investigations of ancient settlement systems and trade patterns. In the last couple of years, we have performed surveys in the Lower Tapajós River basin. The archaeological record indicates that pottery showing strong stylistic resemblance to that found at the large central site is spread at least as far as 90km to the south of present Santarém city. This article presents the results of a regional survey in the vicinities of Santarém, in the Belterra plateau, and Alter do Chão, offering a preliminary settlement system analysis in the region. Keywords: Tapajó ceramics, settlement patterns, lower Amazon.
Author Biography
Denise Schaan, Universidade Federal do Pará
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Antropologia Pesquisadora do CNPq nível 2
