Archaeology and ethnographic collections in the Indigenous Territory Trombetas-Mapuera Archaeology and ethnographic collections in the Indigenous Territory Trombetas-Mapuera

Between December 2023 and January 2024 we conducted our first fieldwork in the Trombetas-Mapuera Indigenous Territory, Brazil. We recorded 130 archaeological sites, including polishing workshops on the Jatapuzinho River, rock art sites, and ancient villages with black earth, ceramic fragments, and lithic artifacts. Collaboration with indigenous connoisseurs also revealed a highly managed landscape enriched with plants for various uses. One example is plants transformed into artifacts, many of them preserved in European museums since the 19th century. Using photographs of various objects, we stimulated the memory of the elders to discover the names and uses of such artifacts, identify which ones are still relevant in people's daily lives, and recall those that have fallen into disuse by now. In this way, we connect different times, places, and people, showing that the Waiwai and their ancestors are great experts in coexisting well with the forest.