Paper short abstract:

An ethnoarchaeological research developed in Caviana Island, Amazon Region, revealed riverine dwellers search for previously managed areas for household construction and a correlation between the vegetal species found in these areas and those found on archaeological sites.

Paper long abstract:

Early theoretical models for pre-colonial Amazonia based on ecological determinism straitened Brazilian archaeology´s view concerning the environment as culturally constructed and continuously transformed. However, more recently interdisciplinary approaches focusing on historical ecology, has revealed fruitful results such as the anthropogenic processes of Terra Preta formation or the domestication and dispersal of manioc and maíz. Following this path, an Ethnoarchaeological research was developed in Caviana Island, delta region of the Amazon River. In this context we found recurrent overlapping of actual riverine occupations and archaeological sites. The great frequency of reoccupations together with the availability of surrounding areas turned our attention to the reason and meaning of these settlement choices. Ethnographic data indicate that these riverine dwellers search for previously managed areas, recognized through the amount and quality of specific vegetal species. It was also noticed a certain correlation between the species maintained and managed around households and those on archaeological sites. Another aspect observed was the introduction of new species within the domestic environment and its circulation in a micro-regional level. Riverine dwellers of this area don´t usually plant "roças", depending almost exclusively on hunting, fishing and gathering and resource management for their subsistence. Thus the surrounding areas of their houses assume an important role supplying their families with food and raw-material, as well as other functions as attracting animals for hunting, medicines and decorating.